Texas Hold'em Poker
Play Texas Hold'em Poker Online!
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How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker
Texas Holdem Poker is the most popular card game in the world. Here are the basics of how to play Texas Hold'em poker:
Betting / Gameplay
In Texas Hold'em there are 4 different rounds of betting where players compete for the pot. The betting may vary based on the round or the type of game you play. In Texas Hold'em, instead of an "ante" selected players are required to place bets before they see their cards. These are called blinds. After the blinds are placed, the cards are dealt and play progresses to the other players, who may either call the blinds, raise, or fold. At the end of the hand, the highest-ranking hand (that hasn't folded) wins the pot.
Here is the typical betting sequence for Texas Hold'em Poker:
- Each player is dealt two cards face-down (pocket cards)
- First betting round (lower limit)
- Dealer turns over three community board cards (the flop) face-up
- Second betting round (lower limit)
- Dealer turns over 1 more community board card (the turn)
- Third betting round (higher limit)
- Dealer turns over 1 final community board card (the river)
- Final betting round (higher limit)
- Showdown
At the showdown for Texas Hold'em Poker, poker rules require that players may use either:
- Both pocket cards & three board cards
- One pocket card & four board cards
- All five board cards (playing the board)
Fixed-Limit Texas Hold'em Betting Structure
In Hold'em there are four possible betting rounds.
Each bet and raise during the first two rounds is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure. For example, in a $2/$4 Fixed Limit game, all bets and raises are $2 for the first two rounds (after pocket cards are dealt and after the flop). Betting and raising during the last two rounds is set at the higher limit of the stakes structure. In this example, all bets and raises will be $4.
The maximum allowable number of bets during any betting round in Texas Hold'em poker is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can't be raised further. Once capped, players will have only the option of calling or folding.
There are no caps on the number of raises in No-Limit and Pot-Limit games. One on One games have a cap after 5 raises.
Dealer Button
The Dealer Button, a small round disk with the letter 'D' marked on it, is used to signify the theoretical dealer of the hand. The hand is dealt clockwise from the dealer button.
Blinds
The player seated to the left (clockwise) of the dealer button is required to post the small blind. The small blind is equal to half the lower limit bet rounded down to the nearest dollar. The player in the next clockwise position is required to post the big blind. The big blind is equal to the lower limit bet of the table.
The blinds are considered live bets. A live bet means that the player has the option of checking, calling, raising or folding on his/her turn. During the remainder of the game, the player left of the dealer button is the first to act.
Missed Blinds
Players are required to post the small blind and the big blind once per round or their equivalent upon reentry to the game if the blinds are missed. Our software will prompt you to put in the correct amount if you have missed one or both blinds. You can also wait for the big blind to get to your position or to continue "sitting out" until you are ready to resume the game. In our Poker room, if you miss three big blinds in a row, you will automatically be removed from the table.
First Round
After the players in the blind positions put their blinds in front of them, the dealer deals two cards (pocket or hole cards) to each player (one at the time), at which time each player can see his own cards but not those of his opponents. On the first round only, the betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind, who has one of three choices, call, raise, or fold. On the first round only, the player in the small blind position acts after the button, and the player in the big blind position acts after the small blind.
Bet/Raise/Call/Check/Fold
Once a betting round has started, you must select one of these options from the play buttons that appear when it is your turn. If you choose one of the advance-action options, your bet is made automatically on your turn. If you select "Sit Out" or you close the window after a round has started, your bet will be considered a fold. If you click the "Sit Out" button before the game is started, you cannot be "Dealt In" until the hand ends. If your connection is lost, your hand will be played as an all-in bet. Please read our all-in policy for a detailed explanation.
Big Blind Option
The player who has the big blind is given the option to fold, check or raise if no one has raised before him/her. If someone has raised he/she will be given the option to fold, call or raise.
Succeeding Rounds
In all rounds except the first, the betting starts with the first active player to the left of the button, who has one of three choices, check, bet, or fold. Until there is a bet, each succeeding active player has the same choices. Once a bet is made, each succeeding player then has one of three choices, call, raise, or fold.
Showdown
When all the betting is done, and if more than one player is still in for the pot, then the showdown determines who wins. Players who elect to fold do not have to show their cards.
