How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker

Texas Hold'em Poker

  • Sequence of Events
  • Betting
  • Button and Blinds
  • All Ins
  • Buy-ins

Also known simply as Hold'em, this variation of 7-Card Stud, is becoming the most popular poker game in the world. Check our Poker Hand Ranking page. No Limit: Click Here for more information. Pot Limit: Click Here for more information.

Sequence of Events

[1] Blinds: Two (2) players left of the dealer button both post blinds equal to exactly half the limit they are playing. Example $4-$8 Hold′em, blinds are $2-$4. (This is equal to the " ante" in 7 Card Stud).
[2] Dealer Button: This button is used to determine where the action starts, once the game begins this buttons moves one person to the right (clockwise) for every new deal.
[3] Pocket or Hole Cards: Dealer deals each player 2 cards face down.
[4] PreFlop: First betting round.
[5] The Flop: Dealer turns over 3 community cards.
[6] Second betting round: after the Flop.
[7] The Turn: Dealer turns over 1 community card.
[8] Third betting round: after the Turn.
[9] The River: Dealer turns over one last community card.
[10] At this point there will be 5 community cards of which you will make your best 5-card poker hand. You can use all 5 community cards and none from your hole cards to make your best hand, 4 community cards and 1 from your hole cards to make your best hand or 3 community cards and both of your hole cards to make your best hand.
[11] Final Betting Round after The River.
[12] Showdown. The Showdown is where players reveal their hands to produce the winner. The winner is the highest-ranking poker hand available from all hands remaining after the river card.