The Rules Of Texas Hold'em Poker
Texas Hold'em is the most popular variation of today's poker and is played with a standard 52 card deck. The aim is to form the best 5-card hand according to the hand rankings. The player with the best hand upon showdown wins the pot.
The game begins with each player receiving two face-down cards, called "hole cards" or "pocket cards". Once each player has got his "hole cards", a round of betting is conducted in which is determined, who wants to stay in the game.
Once the 1st round of betting is completed, 3 community cards are dealt face-up in the middle of the table. Those 3 cards are called "the Flop". The remaining players now form their 5-card hand and decide whether to stay in the hand or not by betting, checking or folding. Once this round of betting is completed a 4th card, called "the Turn", is dealt. Each player now forms his best 5-card hand using any of the 6 cards available. This is followed by another round of betting. Then a final community card, called "the River", is dealt and a last round of betting concludes the game. All players left in the hand now turn over their cards. The player with the best 5-card hand wins the pot.
To determine the best 5-card hand, any combination of the following applies:
A. Both of the player's hole cards and any three of the community cards.
B. One of the player's hole cards and any four of the community cards.
C. None of the player's hole cards but all five community cards.
In the event two or more players have exactly the same hand value, the pot is divided equally amongst the winners.
Texas Holdem Rules - Quick Overview
1. 2 face-down cards to each player.
2. 1st round of betting.
3. 3 community cards are dealt face-up.
4. 2nd round of betting.
5. 4th community card is dealt.
6. 3rd round of betting.
7. 5th and last community card is dealt.
8. Last round of betting and showdown.