Article updated on March 7, 2025
Poker Poker is an intricate game that demands a deeper comprehension to enhance your chances of winning over time. To assist you in this endeavor, we’ve developed a comprehensive list of Texas Hold'em cheat sheets for you to consult while practicing or competing.
These guidelines are specially designed for those new to poker, and by thoroughly reviewing each of these cheat sheets, you'll be able to speed up your learning process. This resource will cover various aspects of poker, offering insights into everything from positional terminology to fundamental strategies. poker terms list Without further ado, let’s explore the top six poker cheat sheets that can elevate your gameplay, including an invaluable Texas Hold'em cheat sheet.
To excel at poker, it’s essential to understand which hands to aim for. Our cheat sheet includes informative graphics that illustrate the ten distinct types of poker hands.
#1: Poker Hands Cheat Sheet
It's vital to know the ranking of poker hands in sequence; otherwise, the game can become quite perplexing. poker hand rankings .
Poker Hands Cheat Sheet - Ranking of Poker Hands
Download our printable poker hand rankings cheat sheet
- A straight flush consisting of ten through ace, all in one suit, like 10♠️J♠️Q♠️K♠️A♠️.
- Royal Flush - A straight made up of five consecutive cards all in the same suit, for instance, 5♥️6♥️7♥️8♥️9♥️.
- Straight Flush - Four cards of the same rank, such as A♠️A♦️A♣️A♥️.
- Four of a kind - A full house comprising three cards of one rank and two of another, like A♠️A♦️A♣️2♠️♥️.
- Full House - A flush where all five cards are of the same suit, e.g., A♦️K♦️9♦️4♦️3♦️.
- Flush - A straight with five cards in sequence from different suits, such as A-2-3-4-5.
- Straight - Three of a kind (three cards of the same rank), e.g., A♠️A♦️A♣️.
- Three of a kind - Two pairs along with an additional card, such as A♠️A♦️K♣️K♦️.
- Two Pair - A high card hand with no pairs or superior hand types, like an ace-high hand consisting of an ace as the highest card.
- One Pair – Just a single pair, such as 8♥️8♦️.
- High Card Keep in mind that in most variations of poker, your objective is to create the best five-card hand possible. However, there are some games that require you to form the lowest hand instead, where straights and flushes do not factor against you.
In scenarios where cards like 2s through 5s are excluded, the ranking of hands shifts slightly. With only nine outs remaining to achieve a flush among 36 cards, flushes actually rank higher than full houses in these situations. poker variants When you first dipped your toes into the world of poker, the terminology might have sounded like a different language entirely! Familiarizing yourself with the specific poker vocabulary for various actions and game situations will enhance your understanding and gameplay.
When learning how to play poker games like Short Deck Poker Hands Cheat Sheet - Common Poker Terminology
#2: Poker Lingo
Here’s a brief overview of some common poker terms that players encounter during gameplay.
By mastering these terms, you’ll feel more equipped as you engage in online games or at a live casino.
- Flop
- Check-Raise
- Double-Barrel
- Pot Odds
- Equity
- Gutshot
- Open-Ender
- Three-Bet
- All-In
Not every poker hand is on equal footing. Your table position significantly influences your probability of winning and the types of hands you should consider playing.
All positional labels are determined by the player's location relative to the dealer button during a hand. Remember that the button shifts one position clockwise after each round.
#3: Poker Table Position Names
Poker Hands Cheat Sheet - Understanding Poker Table Positions
Beginning with the position right next to the button, here’s a breakdown of typical position names for a shortened or 6-max table: DEALER BUTTON Blinds represent mandatory bets made by players that ensure a pot is formed. They prevent players from merely observing the flop without contributing financially.
In terms of naming positions at a full-ring table accommodating nine or ten players, the arrangement varies slightly. There are more seats on the table which are referred to as “', ",” located immediately next to the big blind. However, these usually do not have special names.
- Small Blind (SB)
- Big Blind (BB)
- Under-The-Gun (UTG) / Lojack (LJ)
- Hijack (HJ)
- Cutoff (CO)
- Button (BTN)
The position directly following the blinds is always categorized as “', ".” For other positions, you could label them as:
EP1, EP2, etc. (representing “Early position” – typically equivalent to UTG and adjacent spots)
MP1, MP2, etc. (denoting “Middle position” – which follows early position and is usually completed with the Lojack position for comprehensive information on table placements.) early position #4: Texas Holdem Cheat Sheet - Recommended Starting Hands
Poker Table Position Names
- Poker Hands Cheat Sheet - Recommended Starting Hands under the gun Many novice players struggle initially due to the choice of starting hands they play. They might exhibit a
- UTG+1 (under-the-gun plus 1)
- (also known as voluntarily putting money into the pot) of about 40% in a 6-max game.
- They might play any ace from any position! This means that if they hold an A-2 off-suit while under the gun, they'd play it! However, even the most seasoned players learn from their early oversights. It’s a natural part of the poker journey!
Check out our position article here Playing an excessive number of hands often leads to unfavorable outcomes, and utilizing a Texas Hold'em cheat sheet can provide valuable guidance.
Understanding which starting hands to play is crucial for effective gameplay. Being seated on the button or nearby offers positional leverage after the flop.
Conversely, when sitting farther from the button (such as under the gun), you should limit the hands you play. This approach accounts for the increased risk of being out of position after the flop. VPIP Here’s a consolidated graphic Texas Hold'em cheat sheet we've crafted. It outlines the ideal hands you should consider playing based on your position in a standard 6-max game.
This approach can offset the challenges of being out of position following the flop. best poker players of all time Poker Cheat Sheet - Starting Hand Recommendations for 6-Max
The chart above illustrates which hands are advisable to play based on your position, assuming no one else has entered the pot before you.
For an initial raise, you should aim for 2.5 big blinds (bb)!
- In early position (UTG), you will have the tightest playing range as you are the farthest from the button.
- From the HJ position, you’ll expand your range compared to UTG, plus include the hands highlighted in pink! button .
Keep in mind that this chart serves as an introductory guideline. You can delve into other position-specific charts that cover topics like:
Vs RFI: detailing which hands to call, fold, or three-bet in response to another player's raise.
Great! Now you’ve got charts at your disposal for determining starting hands based on various table positions. But what steps should you take after the flop is revealed?
6-Max Starting Hand Chart
The specific handling of each scenario will heavily depend on the circumstances. However, as a basic guideline, consider the following during these situations—
- (generally top pair/top kicker (TPTK) or superior hands), and drawing hands.
- For categories 2 and 4: Adopt a more conservative approach. Check or call when engaging with medium-strength hands, and check or fold your weaker hands that didn’t connect with the flop.
- Poker Hands Cheat Sheet - Strategies for Post-Flop Play
This method offers a SIMPLE framework for navigating post-flop gameplay. Numerous strategies and factors will come into play. GTO poker While you practice or engage in Texas Hold'em, refer to this helpful Cheat Sheet. The strategies and suggestions offered here for novice players will significantly accelerate your learning journey.
- Raise-First In (RFI) for different amounts (i.e., 2bb, 2.25bb, 3bb, etc.)
- Beginner's Guide to Poker - Essential Tips to Climb the Ranks Faster!
#5: The Simple Way to Play Post-Flop
Poker Cheat Sheet – The Definitive Resource for New Players in Texas Hold'em
Poker is a highly intricate game. Gaining a comprehensive grasp of its nuances is key to achieving consistent success over time. We've compiled a comprehensive list of Texas Hold'em cheat sheets for you to reference while studying or playing.
- Strong monsters
- Medium-strength hands
- Draws
- Trash
This guide targets new players specifically, and engaging with these poker cheat sheets can effectively shorten your educational journey. Here, you’ll find insights into various aspects of poker, covering everything from terminology to fundamental strategies.
- 1 and 3: Bet/raise your strong hands/ monster So, without further ado, let's delve into six indispensable poker cheat sheets that can enhance your skills, featuring an excellent Texas Hold'em cheat sheet.
- First and foremost, an understanding of the different poker hands you can create is essential for good play. Illustrated with helpful graphics, there are ten varieties of hands you're likely to encounter.
Poker Hands Cheat Sheet - Rankings of Hands poker board The hands rank from highest to lowest as follows:
– 10 through ace, all belonging to the same suit - for instance, 10♠️J♠️Q♠️K♠️A♠️.
– Five consecutive cards, sharing the same suit - such as 5♥️6♥️7♥️8♥️9♥️.
– Four cards that are of the same rank, for example, A♠️A♦️A♣️A♥️.
1). Game-Theory Optimal (GTO):
– Three cards of one rank coupled with two cards of another rank, like A♠️A♦️A♣️2♠️♥️.
2). Exploitable:
– A flush, meaning all five cards are of the same suit, for example, A♦️K♦️9♦️4♦️3♦️. how to bluff in poker can be a part of this strategy.
– Five non-matching cards in a sequence, like A-2-3-4-5.
GTO vs Exploitative Strategy
– Three cards of the same rank, such as A♠️A♦️A♣️.
– Two pairs of one kind and another two differing cards, such as A♠️A♦️K♣️K♦️.
It’s all here – A hand that contains no pairs or any of the other higher-ranking hands. An example would be an ace-high hand, which indicates that the ace is the highest card in the hand.
Poker Cheat Sheet Summary
It's important to remember that in most games, the goal is to assemble the BEST five-card hand. However, some games require players to form the lowest hand, where straights and flushes won’t negatively impact your standing.
- How to play and approach certain poker combos and scenarios
- Hole cards
- Community cards
- Positions
- In special game formats, where cards 2 through 5 are excluded, the ranking of hands adjusts slightly. There are only nine possible outs among the remaining 36 cards to complete a flush, thereby elevating its ranking compared to full houses!
- Stack sizes
- The list goes on and on!
If you were new to poker, the terminology may have felt as if you were deciphering a foreign language! Recognizing the appropriate terms for various actions at the table and understanding game situations can significantly enhance your gameplay.