Texas Hold'em is by far the most popular variation of poker played today. Still, there are many people who want to try the game but have no idea how to play. Fortunately, the rules of Texas Hold 'em are easy to learn.


The Button and the Blinds

The position of the “Dealer” chip, or the “button” determines where the deal will begin and who will post the small blind (SB) and the big blind (BB). The big blind is a bet that the player in the 2^nd seat clockwise from the button must place before the cards are dealt. This is the minimum bet amount that any player must make to enter the pot or bet before the flop and on each subsequent round of betting. The player directly to the BB’s right, the small blind, must post a bet equal to half-the amount of the big blind before the hand is dealt.


The Hole Cards

Once the blinds have been posted, each player is dealt two cards, face down. These are often referred to as the “hole cards,” or “pocket cards.” The player directly to the left of the BB is the first to act after the cards have been dealt. The action moves clockwise around the table, each player taking their turn to call, raise, or fold.


The Flop

After all players have had an opportunity to act, the “flop” is dealt. The “flop” consists of 3 community cards which each player at the table will use in combination with their own “hole cards” to make the best poker hand. Another round of betting follows the deal of the flop. The small blind (if still in the hand) can check or bet first, and the action moves clockwise around the table until each player has had an opportunity to act.
Actions players may take include:

• Check - To act without betting, raising or folding. Sending the action along to the next player without placing a bet. Once another player has bet, checking is no longer an option. The players following the bettor must call, raise, or fold.

• Bet -To put money into the pot. A bet must be at least equal to the big blind to be valid, unless it is an all-in.
  
• Raise - To put in more money over what someone else has already bet.
• Call - To put money into the pot equal to the amount of the last bet
• Fold - To give up in the hand and surrender your cards to the dealer without risking any more money.
  

The Turn

Once all players have acted after the flop, the “turn card” is dealt. The “turn card” is the 4^th community card dealt. Another round of betting follows the turn in the same fashion as post-flop betting.


The River

Finally, the “river” is dealt, followed by a final round of betting.


The Showdown

Any player still left in the hand will turn over their cards in what is called the showdown. Players must show both hole cards in order to have a chance at winning the pot. The hands are shown in the same order that the betting went, starting with the SB and moving clockwise around the table. The exception to the rules of “showdown order,” is that the aggressor, that is to say the player who lead out with last bet will be the one who will showdown 1^st, and all other players still remaining in the hand will act clockwise from the aggressor. At that point, they can choose to show their hand or muck (surrender the cards face down).


Winning the Pot

The player who shows the best hand wins the full pot. A player may also win the full amount of the pot if all other players fold out of the hand on any round of betting.

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