Poker can look intimidating at first—chips flying, strange terms, and players who seem to know exactly what they’re doing. The good news? Poker is a skill-based game that anyone can learn step by step.
This guide to poker for absolute beginners breaks down exactly what to focus on in your first 30 days, so you build confidence, avoid common mistakes, and learn the game the right way—without overwhelm.
🗓️ Week 1: Learn the Absolute Basics
🃏 Understand Poker Hand Rankings
Before anything else, you must memorize hand rankings. This is non-negotiable.
From strongest to weakest:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
📖 Official hand ranking guide:
https://www.pokernews.com/poker-hands.htm
🎯 Learn the Rules of One Game (Texas Hold’em)
Texas Hold’em is the best starting point for beginners because:
- It’s the most popular format
- Rules are straightforward
- Free learning resources are everywhere
Focus on:
- Blinds (small blind & big blind)
- Community cards
- Betting rounds (pre-flop, flop, turn, river)
🔗 Texas Hold’em rules:
https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/games/texas-holdem/
🗓️ Week 2: Basic Strategy & Smart Habits
🧠 Play Fewer Hands (But Play Them Well)
One of the biggest beginner mistakes is playing too many hands.
Early rule:
- Play strong hands
- Fold weak hands
- Don’t chase every pot
This single habit will instantly improve your results.
💰 Learn Basic Poker Position
Position means where you sit relative to the dealer button.
Key idea:
- Acting later = more information
- Acting early = higher risk
Beginner tip:
👉 Play tighter (more carefully) in early position, looser in late position.
📌 Poker position explained:
https://upswingpoker.com/poker-position-guide/
🗓️ Week 3: Betting, Odds & Reading the Table
📊 Understand Basic Betting Concepts
You don’t need advanced math yet. Start with:
- When to bet vs. check
- Why small bets can be strong
- Why big bets usually mean commitment
Avoid bluffing too much early—solid value betting beats fancy moves.
👀 Start Observing Opponents
Poker is a people game.
Begin noticing:
- Who plays too many hands
- Who bets aggressively
- Who folds easily
You don’t need perfect reads—just patterns.
🗓️ Week 4: Practice, Review & Discipline
🎮 Play Low Stakes or Free Games
Your first 30 days should focus on:
- Free poker apps
- Play-money games
- Very low-stakes tables
The goal is learning, not winning big.
🧾 Review Your Hands
After sessions, ask:
- Did I play strong hands correctly?
- Did I fold when I should have?
- Did emotions affect my decisions?
Self-review accelerates improvement faster than playing more hours.
🚫 Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing too many hands
- Chasing losses
- Bluffing without a reason
- Ignoring position
- Playing while emotional or tired
Poker rewards patience—not impulse.
🧩 What You Should NOT Learn Yet
In your first 30 days, avoid:
- Advanced bluffing strategies
- Complex poker math
- Multi-table grinding
- High-stakes games
Strong fundamentals beat advanced tricks every time.
✅ Final Thoughts
Poker is not about luck in the long run—it’s about decision-making.
If you focus on:
- Hand rankings
- Position
- Discipline
- Smart practice
your first 30 days will build a solid foundation that most players never develop.
Master the basics first.
The wins come later.
