Guides

Poker Variations Explained: From Five Card Draw to Omaha
Texas Hold'em is the best-known poker game, but it is only one of hundreds. Changing the game now and then keeps a regular home game fresh. Read more...
Home Poker Rules: Betting, Limits and Settling Disputes
Most disagreements at a home game are not about the cards. Agreeing a short set of house rules before the game avoids all of that. Read more...
Poker Etiquette: Table Manners for Home Games and Card Rooms
The written rules tell you how poker works. Etiquette is everything else: the habits that keep a game friendly, quick and fair. Good manners matter just as much around a... Read more...
Poker Odds and Probabilities: Starting Hands, Outs and Pot Odds
You do not need to be a mathematician to play good poker, but a handful of numbers will make you a noticeably better player. This guide gives you the key... Read more...
How to Play Texas Hold'em: Rules for Beginners
Texas Hold'em is the most widely played form of poker, and the game most people mean when they say "poker night". It takes minutes to learn and a lifetime to... Read more...
Poker Hand Rankings: What Beats What
Every form of poker you are likely to play at home uses the same ladder of five-card hands. Learn it once and you can sit down at a Texas Hold'em... Read more...
How to Host a Poker Night at Home: The Complete Checklist
Hosting a poker night is easier than it looks, and a bit of planning is what separates a smooth, friendly evening from one spent hunting for a deck of cards.... Read more...
Speed Cloth Buying Guide: How Much to Buy and How to Fit It
If you are asking "how much speed cloth do I need?", the answer is a few measurements and a bit of simple arithmetic. Get them right and one cut of... Read more...
Poker Table, Table Top or Poker Mat: Which Should You Buy?
Hosting a proper poker night does not have to mean buying furniture. A full poker table, a folding table top and a poker mat all give you a defined playing... Read more...
Poker Chip Weights and Materials Explained: 11.5g, 14g and 16g
Talk to anyone about poker chips and someone will say heavier is better. There is some truth in that, but weight is only part of the story. This guide explains... Read more...
Poker Chip Values and Colours: Setting Up Cash Games and Tournaments
Poker chips do not come with their value stamped into the rules of the game. Whatever colour a chip is, it is worth whatever your table agrees it is worth.... Read more...
How Many Poker Chips Do You Need for a Home Game?
If you are hosting a home game for the first time, "how many poker chips do I need?" is usually the first question. Buy too few and the game stalls... Read more...

Get our free poker guide

Learn the game in one place: hand rankings, how to play Texas Hold'em, odds, etiquette and home game rules.

Get the free guide