Learn to Play
Rules, Rankings & Your First Game
New to hosting, or just brushing up? Start here. Get the essentials for your first night, the hand rankings you'll reference at the table, and the full rule set for settling any question that comes up. If you're brand new, begin with the Quickstart Guide.
Quickstart Guide
Everything you need to host your first home game — a gear checklist, chip breakdowns for cash and tournament play, and what's worth buying.
Read the guide →Hand Rankings
Every hand ranked, high to low — plus lowball (A-5 and 2-7), Badugi, Short Deck, and Sökö. The chart you'll keep reaching for at the table.
See the rankings →Robert's Rules of Poker
The definitive home-game rule set — conduct, procedures, betting, showdown, and the major variants. The standard for settling any dispute.
Read the rules →Kill Pot Rules
Full kill and half kill, explained for fixed-limit home games — when the kill triggers, who posts it, and how the betting changes.
Read the rules →Tournament Rules
Standard tournament procedures for home games — seating, blinds, rebuys, all-in situations, table conduct, and showdown.
Read the rules →Learn the Games
Learn to play the most popular home games right here — Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and Razz — or visit our sister site PokerGameDatabase.com to learn over 100 games.