How to Play Texas Hold’em

Overview

Each player is dealt two hole cards. Five community cards are revealed across the flop, turn, and river. Make the best five-card hand. Betting happens before the flop and after each community-card round.

Blinds and the dealer

The dealer button rotates clockwise. The two seats left of the dealer post the small and big blinds. Action starts left of the big blind pre-flop, and left of the dealer after the flop.

Actions

• Fold — discard your hand and forfeit the pot.
• Check — decline to bet when nothing is owed.
• Call — match the current bet.
• Bet / Raise — put in chips or increase the wager.
• All-in — commit your remaining stack.

Hand rankings

From strongest to weakest: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card. Ace can play high or low in a wheel straight (A-2-3-4-5).