Hand rankings
- Royal flush
- Straight flush
- Four of a kind
- Full house
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Two pair
- One pair
- High card
Start low
Micro-stakes tables with blinds of a few rand let you learn at the price of a coffee. Move up only when you have played thousands of hands at a level and your bankroll covers at least 20 buy-ins for the next one.
Position and starting hands
Acting last lets you see what others do before you decide. Play more hands from the button and late seats, and only strong pairs and high cards from early seats. Most beginners play far too many hands from every seat.
Betting and reading opponents
- Bet with a reason: for value with a strong hand or as a bluff that tells a believable story.
- Size bets at half to the full pot after the flop, not random amounts.
- Online, read patterns rather than faces: bet sizes, timing and how often a player raises.
Mistakes to avoid
- Calling too much because the pot looks big.
- Playing on after losing a big pot.
- Moving up in stakes after one good night.
- Ignoring the rake when choosing tables.
Choosing where to play
Check the poker room's licence and how it handles collusion and bots, and read whether it accepts South African players. Bonuses for poker are usually released in stages as you pay rake, so read how they are earned.