Introduction
Texas Hold’em is a community-card game with four betting rounds.
How the game works
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Button & order of action
The order of betting in each round is determined by the position of the dealer button, which moves one seat clockwise after every hand. -
Blinds
The two players to the left of the button post the small blind and big blind. These are the only forced bets before the cards are dealt. -
Hole cards
Each player receives two face-down cards (their hole cards). -
Preflop betting
The first betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind and proceeds clockwise. -
The flop
After preflop betting ends, three community cards are dealt face up. This is the flop. -
Flop betting
A new round of betting starts with the first active player to the left of the button, clockwise. -
The turn
When flop betting is complete, a fourth community card is dealt face up—the turn. -
Turn betting
Another betting round begins with the first active player to the left of the button. -
The river
After turn betting, the fifth community card is dealt face up—the river. -
Final betting round
One last round of betting proceeds clockwise. If two or more players remain, there is a showdown.
Making your hand
Players form their best five-card hand using any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards—both, one, or none of their hole cards may be used.
Texas Hold’em example
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Example hand — start of deal
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Example hand — end of hand (showdown/results)
Hand rankings (highest to lowest)
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Straight Flush (Royal Flush is A-K-Q-J-10 of one suit.)
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Four of a Kind (e.g., A-A-A-A-K best kicker)
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Full House (e.g., A-A-A-K-K; higher trips decide first)
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Flush (any five cards of the same suit; highest card wins)
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Straight (e.g., A-K-Q-J-10; five in sequence, suits irrelevant)
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Three of a Kind (e.g., A-A-A-K-Q)
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Two Pair (e.g., A-A and K-K with Q kicker)
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One Pair (e.g., A-A with K-Q-J kickers)
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High Card (e.g., A-K-Q-J-9 when no other hand is made)
