Whether young or old, poker inspires and unites people from all over the world! According to Statista, poker has a market share of a whopping 16.7 percent in the European gambling market alone.
The chance that someone who has never played poker before will get interested in the card game is correspondingly high. But beginners in particular often don't really know where and how to start playing poker.
That's why we're explaining some important terms and basic principles of poker here. With our guide, we give beginners the most important basics to get started. And then it's practice, practice, practice. We hope everyone who wants to get excited about poker has a lot of fun with it.
The basic principle of poker
A standard deck of 52 cards is used to play poker. The aim is either to have the better cards or to persuade all the other players to give up, even though you're inferior with your own hand.
Poker is played in different variants. One of the most popular poker variants is "Texas Hold'em". The variant chosen determines, among other things, how many cards the players receive at the beginning. In Texas Hold'em poker, there are five face-up cards and two face-down cards. In total, a player has seven cards in his hand. The best possible hand must be chosen from these over the course of the game. This could be, for example, a single high card, a straight or a royal flush.
Especially at the beginning, it is advisable to choose a poker variant and stick with it for the time being. Frequently switching back and forth can confuse beginners in particular and lead to confusion that ultimately means that no game variant is really learned in depth. However, it should be remembered in every poker round that there may also be individual house rules.
Getting started with poker is both exciting and overwhelming—there’s strategy, etiquette, and game variations to learn. But as new players improve their skills, they should also keep an eye on loyalty rewards that many platforms offer. These often go unnoticed yet can provide great value over time. If you’re just starting out, don’t miss the opportunity to understand what loyalty bonuses at online casinos are and how you can benefit from them. Combining basic poker knowledge with bonus awareness not only improves your odds but also maximizes your overall experience as you build confidence at the table.
Poker rules: basics and details
An old saying goes: "No one is born a master" - this also applies to poker! Hardly any beginner knows all the rules in detail when playing poker for the first time. Instead, many beginners learn poker using the "learning by doing" principle.
One thing is clear: starting to play poker is not as complicated as many people might assume. But one thing is also clear: it won't work without basic knowledge! If you want to learn more about the most important poker rules, you can find them here. The site contains a good overview of the basics and details, such as the different poker hands (for example, straights or royal flushes, which we mentioned above). Beginners should definitely internalize the so-called hand hierarchies explained there. This is the only way they know exactly what they can do with their cards.
Understanding your own position
When playing poker, you don't just sit down in any seat that's free. Your position at the poker table is essential. This includes the blind positions as well as early, middle and late positions. The so-called relative positions include the in-position, the out-of-position and the sandwich. The relative position refers to your own position in relation to the other players. Here players learn what the respective positions at the poker table are all about and what advantages and disadvantages result from them.
Strategy and dynamics lead to victory
Poker is so popular because it is not just about playing cards, but also about psychology and strategy. Accordingly, there are a number of strategies that beginners can follow. Common strategies include:
Aggressive play: You bet and raise frequently and act confidently. This puts pressure on the other players. This gets your opponents to follow suit and increase the pot. On the other hand, you may force weaker players to give up by playing aggressively yourself.
Conservative play: You wait until you have a strong hand. Excessive risks and raising the stakes are avoided. In general, it is less about thrills and more about careful consideration, taking advantage of opportunities and reducing the risk of loss at the same time.
If you have found your way around the card game, you should get into the habit of playing dynamically. Because every game is different, the round of players is different, the cards and moods of the players are different. This results in different dynamics every time. Therefore, it makes sense to adapt individually as the game progresses, instead of stubbornly playing too aggressively or too conservatively.
Bluffing
Bluffing is probably the best part of an exciting game of poker. The term actually comes from card games, although we use it in completely different everyday situations today. Some people have mastered this art almost to a master level and don't bat an eyelid - or a misleading one.
The core of bluffing is to deceive the other players about your own hand of cards. A special form of buff is the so-called mouth bluff. This involves not only creating the impression of having a more valuable hand than is actually the case through playing behavior, but also through verbal statements. However, there may be restrictions in the rules. For example, one rule may be that you are not allowed to lie directly.
Starting out in poker can be both exciting and intimidating. New players often focus on hand rankings and bluffing, but the real key lies in understanding rhythm, patience, and adaptability. As poker continues to evolve digitally, it's becoming part of a larger gaming landscape where achievements in games are recognized alongside traditional entertainment. A milestone moment in this shift was when the gaming world advanced with the first Grammy awarded for music. It’s proof that gaming—and poker within it—is now part of a serious cultural movement. Beginners should embrace this blend of strategy and artistry as they step into the game.