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 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

Playing Texas Hold'em

• Start by playing free online poker games
• Then advance to playing freerolls before playing real money poker