Texas Hold'em is a game of skill, psychological reads, and probability. The goal is simple: win the pot either by holding the highest-ranking five-card poker hand at the showdown, or by forcing all other players to fold through strategic betting.
The Dealer Button and Forced Blinds
Before cards are dealt, a circular dealer button determines the player order. The two players seated directly to the left of the button post forced bets called the Small Blind (SB) and Big Blind (BB). The big blind is usually double the small blind and seeds the pot before cards are dealt. The button rotates clockwise after every single hand.
Preflop: Receiving Your Hole Cards
Every player receives two cards face down ("hole cards"). The first player to act is seated immediately to the left of the Big Blind (known as "Under the Gun" or UTG). Each player in turn may:
- Fold: Discard cards and exit the hand.
- Call: Match the amount of the big blind.
- Raise: Increase the bet size, requiring other players to match the new amount to stay in.
The Flop (First 3 Community Cards)
The dealer burns the top card of the deck (discards face down for game integrity) and deals three cards face up in the center of the table. This is called The Flop. Players now have five total cards to evaluate (2 hole cards + 3 board cards). The second betting round begins with the first remaining active player to the left of the button.
The Turn and River (Final Community Cards)
The dealer burns another card and deals a fourth community card: The Turn (or "Fourth Street"), followed by another betting round. Finally, the dealer burns and deals the fifth community card: The River (or "Fifth Street"). The final betting round takes place.
The Showdown: Determining the Winner
If two or more players remain active after the river betting round, the players table their cards face up. The player who can construct the highest-ranking five-card poker hand using any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards wins the entire pot.
The 5 Core Betting Actions
Passing the action to the next player without adding money to the pot. Only possible if no prior bet has been made in the round.
Placing the initial wager into an unopened pot during post-flop rounds.
Matching the highest bet or raise placed by a preceding player to remain in the hand.
Increasing the size of an existing bet. All subsequent players must either call the raise, re-raise, or fold.