How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker

Overview

• Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker game worldwide.
• Each player gets two private "hole" cards and there are 5 community cards on the table that everyone can use.
• Betting occurs over 4 rounds (preflop, flop, turn, river).
• To win, you need to make the best 5-card hand using your hole cards and the community cards.

The Deal

• Play moves clockwise, starting with the player to the left of the dealer button.
• Two players post mandatory bets called blinds to initiate betting.
• Each player gets two hole cards dealt face down.

Betting Rounds

• Preflop: First round of betting after hole cards are dealt.
• The Flop: First 3 community cards dealt, followed by a betting round.
• The Turn: Fourth community card dealt, followed by a betting round.
• The River: Final community card dealt, followed by the final betting round.

The Showdown

• Remaining players reveal hole cards, best 5-card hand wins the pot.
• You can use one, both, or none of your hole cards along with community cards.

Hand Rankings

• Standard poker hands from high to low:

  • Royal flush
  • Straight flush
  • Four of a kind
  • Full house
  • Flush
  • Straight
  • Three of a kind
  • Two pair
  • One pair
  • High card