Learn poker by playing it.

Nine guides take you from zero to your first bluff, the same curriculum as Cardamoo's in-game lessons, in article form. Start with the three mechanics guides, then work through the strategy set. And when you're ready, let Cardamoo teach you the part no article can: playing actual hands, at a real table, with a guide at your side.

First, the mechanics

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, playing better

The rules make you legal at the table; these six make you dangerous. Each one is adapted from a Cardamoo in-game lesson, so you can read the idea here and then play it out for real.

Step 4 The five actions Check, call, bet, raise, fold, what each one really means, when it's available, and the classic beginner mix-ups. Step 5 Position: why acting last wins The dealer button is the best seat in the game, here's why, and how to use every seat in between. Step 6 When to fold Folding is not losing. The best players fold most of their hands, learn to spot the moments letting go saves your stack. Step 7 Draws and outs Flush draws, straight draws, counting your outs, and the golden rule: never give up a free card. Step 8 Bet sizing Every bet tells a story. Learn to charge properly with strong hands, and to hear what a big bet is telling you. Step 9 How to bluff Win pots your cards don't deserve, when a bluff works, when it just burns chips, and how to tell the difference.

Hit a word you don't know anywhere along the way? The poker glossary defines every Texas Hold'em term in plain English.

Then learn at a real table

Reading gets you the rules. Playing makes them stick. In Cardamoo's nine guided lessons, Pip the dealer cow deals you real hands and walks 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.