About Poker?

Question

So I am trying to learn how to play poker. So when the dealer passes you 5 cards, you have to keep them in that order or can you rearrange them?

Answer 1

When the cards are all dealt to you face down, you can arrange them in any fashion that makes sense to you.

Be warned, though.  If you do this, a shrewd poker player will be able to make guesses as to what you are holding based on how you arrange your cards and comparing that with whatever you show at the end of the hand.

The easiest way not to allow this "tell" to exploit you is to rearrange your had in an illogical manner, so when you showdown, the player looking for the "ordering tell" can't really make any sense of what you are holding.

Community cards can never be rearranged by any player once they show.

Answer 2

You might want to check out the poker lessons over at Doyles Room, they really help out!

http://www.doylesroom.com/education/

Answer 3

In 5 card draw and Omaha you can arrange your cards however you want.  In stud games, you can arrange your down cards, but not your up cards until showdown.