Poker Name
NPL Riverina Poker Pathway

Learn

This is the first step in your poker journey. Before you can improve, compete, and build real confidence at the table, you need to understand the basics — the rules, the deal, the betting rounds, hand rankings, and how Texas Hold’em works. Start here, take your time, and build strong foundations.

Welcome to Texas Hold’em

In Texas Hold’em, each player receives 2 private cards, and 5 community cards are placed in the middle of the table. Your goal is to make the best 5-card hand possible.

Everyone can use the 5 community cards, but only you can use your own 2 hole cards.

Simple way to think about it:
You are trying to make the strongest 5-card poker hand using any combination of your 2 cards and the 5 cards on the table.

Betting Stages

  • Blinds & Pre-Flop – betting starts after players receive their 2 hole cards
  • Flop – 3 community cards are dealt face up
  • Turn – 1 more community card is dealt
  • River – the final community card is dealt
  • Showdown – remaining players reveal their hands

The Deal

  1. Hole Cards: each player is dealt 2 cards face down, one at a time.
  2. The Flop: 1 burn card is placed face down, then 3 cards are dealt face up.
  3. The Turn: 1 burn card is placed face down, then 1 card is dealt face up.
  4. The River: 1 burn card is placed face down, then 1 final card is dealt face up.

What You’re Learning at This Level

Rules Learn how the game works from start to finish.
Hand Strength Understand which poker hands beat others.
Decision Basics Start recognising when to bet, call carefully, or fold.

Poker Hand Rankings

Royal Flush A♥, K♥, Q♥, J♥, 10♥ — all the same suit
Straight Flush Five cards in sequence — same suit
A♥, 2♥, 3♥, 4♥, 5♥
Four of a Kind Four cards of the same rank
4♥, 4♣, 4♦, 4♠
Full House Three of a kind plus a pair
3, 3, 3, 5, 5
Flush Five cards of the same suit
4♦, 8♦, 2♦, 10♦, Q♦
Straight Five cards in sequence — mixed suits is fine
8♦, 9♥, 10♣, J♥, Q♣
Three of a Kind Three cards of the same rank
4, 4, 4
Two Pair Two different pairs
2, 2, 6, 6,
One Pair One pair only
10, 10
High Card No made hand — highest card plays

Starting Hand Guide

Good hands to raise with

AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, AQ, TT, 99

Hands to be careful with

AJ, KQ, 88–66

Hands to usually fold

Weak hands like 7-2, 8-3, and other low unconnected cards.

Top Beginner Mistakes

  • Playing too many hands
  • Calling too much
  • Ignoring position
  • Chasing draws too often
  • Not betting strong hands
  • Bluffing too much
  • Making emotional decisions
  • Playing too fast

Simple Decision Guide

Poker does not need to feel complicated when you are starting out. A simple framework can help you make cleaner decisions at the table.

Strong Hand = BET
Medium Hand = Call Carefully
Weak Hand = FOLD
Ask yourself: Am I ahead, or am I chasing?

Your Poker Journey

The best way to improve is to play regularly, stay patient, and keep learning. This Learn level is your foundation for everything that comes next.

Level Focus
Learner Learn basics
Rookie Improve decisions
Regular Play consistently
Competitor Advanced play
Shark High-level play