At the beginning of the online game of guts poker the dealer will start by dealing two cards to each player. If both cards in the player's hand match then that player has a pair. If not then the hand will be called simply by the high card between the two cards. Starting from the dealers left each player will decide whether or not they will go "in" or "out". the players that chose out will have no further stake in the game unless the cards are dealt again.

Of those players who are "in" the one with the best hand will collect all the money in the pot and the other players who called "in" but lost throw the same amount of money that the winner has collected into the pot. For example, if the pot was worth 50 cents then the winner will collect 50 cents whilst the other players who lost will each put 50 cents into the new pot. If three players decide to go "in" then one player will collect and the two remaining players will match the pot, now making it a dollar.