Learn how to play poker in simple steps

Whether you are a beginner or have been playing poker for years, here at VIParabclub we want you to thrive and play according to your best potential. Therefore, we have compiled poker rules, tips and strategies for you to consult every time you feel like you need to improve your poker game and surprise your opponents. 

In this page you will find all the information about the ranking of the different poker hands, the different types of poker games, the most important vocabulary of poker and still some online poker strategies and tips. All this and more at your favorite online casino and all for free!

Poker hand ranking

First things first. Before you step into the online poker tables, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of Texas Hold'em and with the ranking of the different poker hands. Who beats whom? With the help of the following overview of the ranking of the poker hands, you always know when you have the best hand! 

Every player should know very well the following ten poker hands before starting the game:

Royal flush

The royal flush is the most popular poker hand because it is unbeatable. It consists of ace, king, queen, jack and ten of the same suit. 

Straight flush

This hand consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, you have a straight flush if you have a 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of hearts. If several players have a straight flush, the hand with the highest card wins.

Four of a kind

This is also popularly known as “Poker” consists of four cards of the same value (ex: 4 Jacks) and one additional card, the so-called "kicker". If several players have a four of a kind, the hand with the highest additional card (the "kicker") is the winner.

Full house

You have a full house when you have three cards of the same value plus two other cards of the same value (example: 3 kings and 2 tens). If several players have a full house, the hand with the higher three of a kind is the winner. 

Flush

A flush is a hand with five non-consecutive cards of the same suit. In this case the value of the card is not relevant, but the suit (for example: 5 different cards, regardless of their value, all clubs). If several players have a flush, then the value of the cards is relevant again and the hand with the highest card wins.

Straight

A Straight or a Sequence is a hand composed of five consecutive cards that don’t share the same suit (for example: a 6 of hearts, 7 of hearts, 8 of clubs, 9 hearts and a 10 of spades). If several players have a straight, the hand with the highest card is the winner of the round.

Three of a Kind

Three of a kind or a trio consist of three cards of the same value and two non-combinable additional cards (for example: 3 sevens, 1 ten and 1 king). The suit is not important. If several players have three of a kind, the hand with the highest or second highest additional card (the "kicker") wins.

Two pairs

Two cards of the same value, two other cards of the same value and a kicker (for example: 2 sixes, 2 jacks a 1 nine). If two players have two pairs, the highest pair wins. If two players have identical pairs, then the hand with the highest kicker wins.

Pair

Two cards of the same value and three non-combinable additional cards (for example: 2 tens, 1 three, 1 seven and 1 ace). The highest pair wins but if several players have the same pair, the hand with the highest or second or third highest kicker wins.

High card

If no one has any of the categories above, the player with the highest card will win. If several players have the same highest card, the hand with the best second highest card wins, and so on.

How to play poker online: texas hold’em edition

Texas Hold'Em Poker is played with 1 deck of 52 cards, where players play against each other, having the aim to achieve the best possible combination with a series of cards, according to the various combinations provided in the table.

At the start of the game, places are drawn using the drawing cards found in the bank. The button, at the start of the game, is always the 1st player to the left of the caller. Once a move is completed, the button passes to the next player (clockwise). Compulsory stakes are for the 'Small Blind' (half the minimum bet) and for the 'Big Blind' (the minimum bet in full).

Deal 2 cards to each player, alternately and clockwise, starting with the player who made the 1st bet, this is, the 'Small Blind'. After the distribution, players proceed to the 1st betting round. Burn a card and turn the 'FLOP', which is made up of 3 common cards. After the 'flop', the 2nd betting round takes place. Burn another card and turn the 'TURN', which is made up of only one common card. After the 'turn', the 3rd betting round takes place. Burn a card and turn the ‘RIVER’, which is also made up of just one card, the last of the 5 common cards. After the river there is the 4th and final betting round.

In all betting rounds, the player has the following options:

Check: Pass

Call: Follow the current bet

Fold: Quit the round

Raise: Raise the bet

Re-Raise: New raise of the bet

All in: Betting all your chips into play

To stay in the game, the player must at least match the bet that was placed before him. If it raises, the other players to remain in the game will have to keep up with that raise.

The winner of the 'pot' is the one who makes the best possible combination, using any 5 cards from the 2 he was initially dealt and the 5 cards that will eventually be exposed (community cards).

Now that you are familiar with the rules, join us on the best online poker site and play poker with friends with real money or, if you prefer, you can also play online poker for free! We can’t wait to have you.