How to Play

There are different variations of this game available, including Fixed Limit, Pot Limit and No Limit Texas Hold Em.  All of which follow the same poker game play principles.  The winning hand is always determined by the best Five card hand. Aces counts as the highest card, except in a straight A-2-3-4-5 when the Ace counts as 1 (except in 2-7 Draw), and in High/Low games, Aces counts both as the highest and lowest card.

If two or more players are showing the same hand ranking the player with the higher cards wins.

If the hands are still tied the Kicker(s) (the highest card(s) not held in common) will decide who's got the winning hand. 
 

GAME PLAY

The Dealer Button

In Texas Hold'em a button (the "dealer button") indicates who the dealer is. The deal moves clockwise between the players.

Blinds

Texas Hold'em is played with two blinds, the "small blind" and the "big blind". Before any cards are dealt the blinds must be posted. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind and the next player in turn posts the big blind.

The size of the blinds is dictated by the stakes of the table that you're playing at. The small blind is typically half the minimum bet of the game, while the big blind is typically the same as the game's minimum bet. It's probably best illustrated by an example: if you're playing at a €2/€4 table, the small blind will be €2 and the big blind €4.

The Opening Deal

Moving clockwise round the table from the dealer, each player receives two cards dealt face down that only they get to see. These are also called pocket cards or hole cards.

Betting Following the Opening Deal

At this stage, each player is betting on what hand they feel their pocket cards could lead to. The betting starts with the player to the immediate left of the big blind.

For this round of betting, each player has three choices: to fold, raise, or call the big blind. As the players who posted the blinds have effectively opened the betting, each player has to at least call this bet to stay in the hand. The betting goes round the table in a clockwise direction until each player has acted.

The Flop

The flop is the set of three cards that are dealt face up in the middle of the table, and each player can use these community cards to build their hand. The middle of the table where these cards are dealt is commonly known as the board.

Now it's time for another round of betting, again at the lower levels of the table stakes. This time, the betting starts with the player to the immediate left of the dealer, regardless of whether the dealer is still active in the hand or not.

The Turn Card

Once the round of betting has finished, it's time for another card to be dealt face up on the board. This fourth card is called the turn card, and again can be used by all players to construct their hand.  The betting after the turn is now at the higher level of the table stakes.

The River

It's now time for the fifth and final community card to be dealt: the river. Now that all the cards have been dealt, each player remaining in the hand can now see what their best five card hand is. It's now time for the final round of betting, again at the higher level of the table stakes.

Showdown

If no more betting takes place, after all the cards have been dealt out, there is a showdown to determine the winner. The best 5 card hand wins the pot. The players are allowed to use 1 or 2 of their hole cards, but they can also "play the board" meaning that they use all 5 cards on the board. If two or more players show the same hand they split the pot.

Now your ready to play Texas Hold Em. If you’re still not sure about these rules then give the game a try at one of our play money tables, where you’ll be able to learn the game while not risking a penny.