These days the best way to learn how to play poker is by playing the free poker games at an online casino. There are plenty of casinos and the competition is very tough. This is naturally good for us who are the customers. (Click here to see the poker site comparison.)

This section of poker for dummies is intended to those who haven’t even installed a poker client to their PC’s. To start playing is very simple to do, all you need to do is download and install the poker software, sign up (it’s free unless you eventually play for real money) then click one of the active tables and watch how the game moves and how poker hands are played. The game may seem a bit fast in the beginning, but once you get the idea it will turn into interesting game. If you want to play, click an open seat on a free-play table and start playing. The learning process is greatly accelerated, and you don't need to rely on friends to put together a game. Online there are always games to play try. Naturally free games are far more wilder and somewhat unrealistic compared to money games, but in terms of offering a way to learn the fundamentals it is fairly easy way to get the understanding of poker. Don’t use too much time with free games if you plan to play with money. My suggestion is that rather play with small money and get the understanding of the real money game. It is very important that you keep in mind some of the very basic rules when playing poker.

I would characterize poker as a game of hunting. You have to wait and wait, once you have a good hand - strike! Striking depends what kind of opponent you are playing against. Some situation you may need to bet just little, and in some situation all-in is the only way to go. Remember slow money is dead money. This means if you are scared of losing your money, you will lose your money. Taking risks is part of the game, however minimizing the risk taking is one of the signs of a good poker player.

Poker for dummies hand rankings can be found here.

Poker for dummies basic rules of checking, calling, betting or raising can be found here.

There are many different types of variations of Texas Hold’em Poker. Poker variations are listed here.

I suggest you start with party poker or poker room if you wish to try the poker with small money.