Official Rules of Poker

The rules of 298 poker games, in one place: every cardroom game, plus the home games, casino games and variants played around the world. Each game has its own document covering the deal, betting, showdown and the rulings that settle disputes. Start with a game below, or with the hand rankings that apply to all of them.

Status: In force
Applies to: All games of poker
Games covered: 298

Rules reference

The fundamentals that apply to every game: hand rankings, betting, tournaments and terminology.

Community card games

Games where players combine private hole cards with shared cards dealt face up in the middle.

All 13 community card games →

Stud games

Games where each player receives their own mix of face-down and face-up cards, with no shared board.

All 12 stud games →

Draw games

Games where every card is private and players improve by discarding and drawing replacements.

All 18 draw games →

Home games

Dealer's choice games with wild cards, buys, passes and split pots, played at kitchen tables everywhere.

All 234 home games →

Casino poker games

House-banked table games that use poker hands, where you play against the dealer rather than other players.

Other formats

Rotations, open-face games, dice and formats that don't fit the families above.

Article 1Using these rules

1.1

Each document sets out the complete rules for one game or one topic. Where a procedure is shared between games, such as the button and blinds, the game document states it or links to where it is set out in full.

1.2

Terms are defined where they are first used and collected in the glossary.

1.3

Where a situation is not covered by a game's rules, the general principles in betting structures, tournament rules and the code of conduct apply.

1.4

Cardrooms and tournaments publish their own rules. Where a venue's posted rules differ from these, the venue's rules apply at that venue.

Article 2Frequently asked questions

What are the basic rules of poker?

Players are dealt cards and bet on who holds the best five-card hand. Each betting round gives players the choice to check, bet, call, raise or fold. The pot goes to the best hand at showdown, or to the last player left if everyone else folds. Our beginner's guide walks through a full hand.

What is the most popular poker game?

Texas Hold'em, usually played no-limit, is the most widely played poker game in cardrooms, tournaments and online. Pot-Limit Omaha is second.

What beats what in poker?

From best to worst: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card. See the full hand rankings for tie-breaks.

Are poker rules the same everywhere?

The core rules of each game are standard. Procedures such as misdeals, minimum buy-ins and dealing with irregularities vary by venue, so a venue's posted rules take priority when you play there.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of these Rules, Rob is right.

OPR-000Uncontrolled when printed