Poker and card game guides
These guides answer one question each, with worked examples and a short list of common mistakes. Start with hand rankings if you are new to poker, or pick the game you want to learn.
- Poker hand rankingsAll ten poker hand rankings from royal flush to high card, with five cards drawn for each, tie-break rules and how to pick your best five of seven cards.Read
- Texas Hold'em for beginnersLearn how to play Texas Hold'em in your first session: what you see at each street, what fold, check, call and raise mean, and what to do when unsure.Read
- Poker positionPoker position explained in plain words: the dealer button, blinds, early, middle and late seats, why acting last helps and how it changes your hands.Read
- Pot oddsPot odds in plain words: the price of a call, the formula call / (pot + call), outs and the rule of 4 and 2, with worked examples counted in chips.Read
- Durak transfer rulesDurak transfer rules in plain words: when you may pass an attack to the next player, when you may not, the card limits, and a three-player example with cards.Read
- Bura combinationsBura combinations explained: three trumps (Bura) or three aces (Moscow) win at once. Card points, which sets to lead, how beating works and the 31-point race.Read
- Russian checkers capture rulesRussian checkers capture rules step by step: mandatory capture, free choice, backward jumps, chains, crowning mid-capture and the flying king, with examples.Read
- Long vs short backgammonLong vs short backgammon (long and short nardy) side by side: start, direction, hitting, head rule, bar, bearing off, worked turns and which to learn first.Read
- Play with friends in TelegramA practical guide to playing poker and card games with friends in Telegram: games for 2, 3-4 or 5-9 players, how to start, how invites work and chat manners.Read
Every guide is written in plain words and checked against the rules we use at our tables. They explain how a rule works and give advice you can try, but no advice decides every hand or removes luck from the game.
If a term is new to you, the glossary defines it in one or two sentences. When you feel ready to practice, the games page lists every game you can play free in Telegram.