Beginners Hub · Poker IQ
How much poker do you know?
25 questions across the six Beginners Hub modules. Pick an answer to see if it is right, and why. At the end you'll see which modules to explore next.
Module 1: Poker basics
4 questions1In total, how many community cards are dealt in a hand of Texas hold'em?
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The five community cards in hold'em are dealt as the flop (first three cards), the turn (the fourth card) and the river (fifth card).
2In a standard game of Texas hold'em, how many players have to post blinds before the deal?
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The player to the left of the dealer must put in the small blind, and the player to their left posts the big blind.
3What is the name of the 3rd betting round in a game of Texas hold'em?
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The betting rounds in a hand of Texas hold'em are, in order: 1) preflop, 2) the flop, 3) the turn, 4) the river.
4Why are poker chips different colors?
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Different colors make it easy to determine chip values, even from across the table.
Module 2: Hand rankings
4 questions1Which is the better hand: a flush or a straight?
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A flush beats a straight.
2Why does a straight flush beat four-of-a-kind?
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Poker hands are ranked by probability, with more common hands ranked below less common ones. A straight flush is the least probable hand to make, so is the strongest hand in poker.
3Which hand is known as the worst starting hand in hold'em?
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Statistically speaking, 2-7 offsuit is the worst starting hand as it contains the lowest ranked cards that cannot work together to make a straight or a flush.
4Which is the stronger starting hand in hold'em: 'pocket rockets' or 'snowmen'?
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A pair of aces, also known as 'pocket rockets', is the best starting hand in hold'em. 'Snowmen' is a nickname for a pair of 8s.
Module 3: Playing your first hands
4 questions1If a player is all-in with 7♦-8♠ against a player with A♥-A♦, and the board shows A♠-5♣-6♣-K♥, what hand are they drawing to?
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The player cannot beat three aces by pairing one of their hole cards, so they need to hit either a 9 or a 4 in order to make a straight with their 5-6-7-8.
2Which of these terms best describes the starting hand J♣-T♣?
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Connectors are cards directly next to each other, such as J-T, 3-4 or 8-9, and can be useful in making a straight. When they are suited they are also more likely to make a flush.
3What happens during a color-up in a live poker tournament?
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Removing lower denomination chips as the blinds and minimum bets get higher keeps the number of physical chips in play at a manageable level.
4When should you play a wider range of starting hands?
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As you move from early to late position, you should use the advantage of acting later to play a wider range of starting hands.
Module 4: Basic strategy
5 questions1If you flop an open-ended straight draw, how many outs do you have to make your straight?
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With 5-6-7-8, for example, you need either a 4 or a 9 to make a straight. There are four of each of these in the deck, meaning you have 8 outs.
2True or false: on a flop of 6♣-7♣-2♦, a player holding 8♣-9♣ is a favorite to beat a player holding A♦-A♥.
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An open-ended straight flush draw has 15 outs (9 for the flush, and another 6 for the straight). On the flop, it is around a 54% favorite to complete by the river.
3What does 'UTG' stand for?
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Under The Gun, or UTG, is the position first to act after the blinds.
4If I count the chips in the pot and compare them to the amount I have to call, what am I doing?
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Pot odds refers to the relationship between the amount of the pot you can win and the amount of chips you must put in to call.
5When are implied odds not an important consideration?
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The term implied odds relates to chips you can win if you make your hand. All these situations limit that number.
Module 5: Sharpen your edge
4 questions1With fewer players in the game, should you play more or fewer hands?
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As the number of players at the table goes down, the hands you play should go up. When heads-up, even just an ace or king in your hand can be a powerful starting hand.
2True or false: when you are short-stacked in a tournament, you should do more calling than raising to preserve your chips.
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If you're going to play a hand with a short stack you should always consider going all-in rather than calling off your chips and 'bleeding out'.
3Why is bet-sizing important?
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Every bet you make should be made with one of these outcomes in mind, and the size of your bets can be crucial to their effectiveness.
4Which word describes a card that will improve your hand?
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Knowing your outs, and how many you have, is important when you have a drawing hand.
Module 6: Live vs online poker
4 questions1What is the name for the percentage of a cash game pot kept by the casino as a fee?
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Most casinos and card rooms take a small percentage of every pot that makes it to the flop, known as the 'rake'. Some may instead charge a fee for every 30 mins you spend at the table.
2Where is seat 1 at a poker table?
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The numbering of seats starts with 1, to the left of the dealer, and runs clockwise with the seat to the dealer's right being the highest numbered seat.
3How does a casino or card room make money from tournament players?
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A set portion of your tournament buy-in will not go into the prizepool, but instead go straight to the house in the form of an entry fee.
4How many online poker accounts can you have?
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You can create accounts at as many online poker sites as you wish, but for each site you must only have one account.
Answer every question to see your full result.
Here's where to go next: the modules below without full marks are the ones to explore.
Full marks in every module. You know your beginner poker.
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Module 1: Poker basics
Answer all 4 questions in this module to see your result.
Continue with this module
How to play poker: A beginner's guide to poker rulesHow to play Texas hold'emPoker rules cheat sheet✓ Full marks
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Module 2: Hand rankings
Answer all 4 questions in this module to see your result.
✓ Full marks
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Module 3: Playing your first hands
Answer all 4 questions in this module to see your result.
Continue with this module
Texas hold'em starting hands cheat sheetUnderstanding poker chip valuesPoker terms cheat sheet✓ Full marks
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Module 4: Basic strategy
Answer all 5 questions in this module to see your result.
Continue with this module
How to calculate poker oddsPositions at the poker tablePoker talk explained: Player termsPoker talk explained: Betting termsPoker talk explained: Game terms✓ Full marks
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Module 5: Sharpen your edge
Answer all 4 questions in this module to see your result.
Continue with this module
What is variance?Understanding poker equityUnderstanding VPIP in pokerHow to use training software: Octopi Poker for beginners✓ Full marks
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Module 6: Live vs online poker
Answer all 4 questions in this module to see your result.
Continue with this module
Playing poker in a casinoThe live tells most players miss, with Chris MoneymakerHow to choose an online poker siteBest online poker where you areBest live poker where you are✓ Full marks
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