To learn poker you need to understand the cards and their values. Poker is essentially a very straightforward game, played with a standard 52 card deck. The cards are ranked in descending order starting with Ace, King, Queen, jack, Ten and so on.

It's a good idea to sign up to the free money games offered at most online poker rooms when you're starting to learn poker, so you can test out how the game works online, get comfortable with the odds and the room's software.

Beginners Tips to learn poker:

1. Understand the rules of the game
2. Don't play too many hands to start with
3. Avoid bluffing too frequently
4. Try to analyse which cards your opponents may be holding
5. Analyse your own position in relation to your opponents
6. Don't jump in at the high limits
7. Don't pay too much for draws
8. Remember that suited cards aren't as valued in poker as other card games
9. Aim to play against players who are also trying to learn poker and perhaps are worse than you!
10. Check what other benefits are on offer at the online poker room you're playing at. There are a variety of extra ways to boost your bankroll, from sign up bonuses when you join a room, on-going deposit bonuses when you top up your bankroll to VIP rewards such as points you can redeem for other things such as merchandise or even buy-ins to tournaments. And then there's Rakeback. Rakeback gives you a % cash return on the rake you have paid, every month for as long as you play. For this reason it is often considered to be the best poker bonus of all!

The importance of Poker Strategy

Poker strategy is an important element to the game. In fact much has been written about whether poker is a game of chance or based on strategy and it seems to be a definite combination of the two.

In essence there are two main ways to win at poker, these are:

1. Hold the best and highest ranking hand in the game.
2. Use the skill of bluffing to mislead and convince your opponents that you actually DO have the winning hand. This is a skill that needs some practising to ensure you keep a straight, or 'poker face'. The great thing about bluffing is that if you become good at it and your opponents believe you and fold, then you can take the pot without having to reveal your hand - meaning they will never know if you were bluffing or not!

To bluff effectively you must understand not only the rules of the game, but also the hand rankings, as the higher the hand ranking then the stronger the probability of winning the pot.

Also see how to play poker
Also see beginners poker