Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em is the most popular variety of poker, as well as the easiest to learn.

Every Player receives two 'hole' cards that only they can see and use. Then, five 'community' cards are dealt that everyone can see and use. Players can make their five-card hand from both, one or none of their hole cards in combination with the community cards, then by following the Rank of Poker Hands to determine who has a winning Poker hand.

The game is divided into four rounds of betting, and the betting moves clockwise around the table. Betting starts from the position next to the dealer button, which moves one place in a clockwise direction to the left after each hand. In online games, the dealer button replaces the 'real' dealer.

If two or more players tie by holding equally-strong winning five-card hands, the pot will be split between the tying players. If there is an odd chip, the player sitting closest to the left of the dealer button will get the odd chip.

The Blinds

There are no Antes required from all players in Texas Holdem poker game, instead, there are two forced bets called Blinds. Games begin with the two players to the left of the Dealer Button putting a predetermined amount of chips (the Blinds) into the pot before any cards are dealt, thus ensuring that there is something to play for on every hand. In tournaments this amount is increased in a time pattern in order to ensure the elimination of players.

Most often, the Small Blind (the player on the immediate left of the dealer) puts up half the minimum bet, and the player on his left (the Big Blind) puts up the full minimum bet. This is called "posting the blinds."

The Deal

Each player is dealt two cards, face down (called the Hole Cards) after the blinds are posted.

First Round of Betting

This takes place immediately after the Deal. The first player to speak is the player to the left of the Big Blind.

The First To Speak (on the immediate left of the Big Blind ) has three options: Call, Raise or Fold.

To Call, the player places a bet that is equal to the Big Blind.

To Raise, the player adds an additional amount. The size of this amount varies with the type of game being played: in Limit Games, it is a fixed amount and may be Capped (limited) after a set number of rounds, normally four online; in Pot Limit games it cannot be larger than the amount currently in the Pot; in No Limit games, it may be any amount, limited only by the number of chips in front of the player.

To Fold, the player places his cards face-down in front of him and pushes them towards the middle of the table where they constitute the Muck. When any card touches the Muck it is deemed to have been folded. That player can take no further part in the hand and any bets he has made are forfeit.

The Flop

After the first betting round, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called Burning, and is done to ensure that no one accidentally saw the top card, and to help prevent cheating. The Burnt Card is placed alongside the Flop, under the next Open Card or in the Muck.

The dealer then places the next three cards face up on the table. These cards are called the Flop.

Second Betting Round

This round and all subsequent betting rounds start with the first player to the dealer's left still in the hand. In addition to Calling, Raising or Re-Raising, players now have the option to Check - staying in the hand without betting until it is their turn to speak again.

Once a bet has been made a player may choose to Call for that amount or Raise (or ReRaise, where applicable). If he chooses to do neither, he must Fold. Thus, at the end of the round, all players will have put in an equal amount of bets except where a player has an inadequate amount of chips in front of him; in that case, he may go All-In (betting the total amount he has) and one or more Side Pots are established, limiting the amount he may win to an accumulation of equal amounts from the Main Pot from players who contributed to that pot.

The Turn (also called Fourth Street)

After the completion of the Second Betting Round, a further card is Burned.(discarded) and the next card exposed and added to the Board. This the Turn card.

Third Betting Round

In Limit games, the fixed amount doubles and remains at that amount for the final round of betting.

Fourth Betting Round

After the completion of the Third Betting Round, a further card is Burned and the fifth and final community card is exposed and added to the Board. This is the River card.

The River (also called Fifth Street)

This precedes the Show-Down, when the challenged players must reveal their cards.