Learn poker by playing it.

These three guides cover the mechanics of Texas Hold'em — the deal, the hands, the blinds. Read them in about ten minutes. Then let Cardamoo teach you the part no article can: playing actual hands, at a real table, with a guide at your side.

Step 1 How to play Texas Hold'em The goal, the deal, the four betting rounds, and every action at the table — the full shape of a hand. Step 2 Poker hand rankings All ten hands in order, with examples — plus how kickers and ties actually get decided. Step 3 What are blinds in poker? Why the small and big blind exist, how they move around the table, and how they set the stakes.

Then learn at a real table

Reading gets you the rules. Playing makes them stick. Cardamoo's nine guided lessons deal you real hands and walk you through every decision, one step at a time — and after you graduate, the built-in coach reviews your play hand by hand. Finish the lessons and there's a bonus-chip reward waiting.

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A guided tutorial lesson at a real table in Cardamoo

Got questions first? Read the FAQ. Rather deal your friends in? Host a private table.