How to Play Texas Hold 'em Poker
The first two players to the left of the
dealer
will "post" an intial bet before getting any cards. This is
called betting blind, or posting the blind. the first player
posts the small blind and the second player posts the big blind which
is equal to the minimum bet for the first round of betting.
Next, each player is dealt two cards face
down.
These are called your "hole cards" or "pocket cards".
A round of betting (this is called pre-flop)
starts with the player to the left of the 2 players who posted the
blinds. Each player can must call the big blind, raise the bet or fold.
Three cards are then dealt face up
in the
middle of the table. These cards are called "the flop". These cards are
"community" cards. Every player uses at least three of these
community or "board" cards in combination with 0 to 2 of their
pocket cards to
form a poker hand.
Another round of betting starting with the
first player to the left of the dealer who can check or bet.
The next player may also check or bet until a bet is made.
After a bet is made, players who have not bet must call,
raise, or
fold.
The dealer then deals another card
face up on
the middle of the table. This 4th card is called the "turn
card" or fourth street followed by another round of betting.
Finally, a fifth card is
dealt face up in the
middle of the table. This last card is called the "river card," fifth
street, or the "end" and is followed by a final round of
betting.
If
there is only one player is remaining after the final round of betting,
that player wins the pot. If more than one is remaining, all
players claiming the pot expose their hole cards and the
player with the best five card poker
hand
wins the pot. Each player may use any combination of
the 5 community cards from the
table and the 2 hole cards in their hand.