Texas Hold'em Rules: How the Game Works

In Texas Hold'Em poker is a simple game which anyone can learn quickly and being to play immediately. The idea of is to make the best possible five card hand [hand rankings] using two personal or "hole" cards which each player holds face down, and five "community" cards which every player at the table may use. In spite of how simple it is, there is a great deal of skill and strategy involved in Hold'Em, which is why its popularity has been increasing at such a rapid rate.

Dealing is done in a rotating, clockwise manner, and is indicated by a disc called the "dealer button" to indicate who is dealt to first. This disc is passed clockwise from player to player after each hand. Prior to the deal, the two players to the left of the button place bets of predetermined amounts called the small and large blinds. It's called a "blind" because it's made prior to seeing any cards. This is done to ensure there will be at least some level of "action" or that every hand will be played at least to a certain degree.
Play beings with two cards being dealt face down to each player. Action begins with each player, starting clockwise from the player immediately to the left of the "blinds." Players may bet, raise, check, or fold in turn. The large blind has the privilege (a great advantage) of being the last to act, and may simply check or raise the bet.

Then, three community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table (the "flop"), and another betting round now takes place beginning with the first player to the left of the dealer button that is still in the hand (i.e. who has not folded his hand). Another card is then dealt face up (the "turn"), followed by a third betting round. Lastly, the fifth and final card (the "river") is dealt, followed by the final betting round.

Players remaining in the hand after the final round of betting has been completed will then show their cards and the winning poker hand will be awarded the "pot" (all of the chips that have been bet to this point during the hand). Any combination of hole cards and community cards may be used to make the best overall five-card poker hand.