How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker: Holdem Rules & Hands
If you want to learn how to play Texas hold'em games, 🏧 then you need to start from the basic rules and hands. That's exactly what you'll find on this beginner's guide 🏧 to the game.
Texas holdem is a simple poker game, but it can be daunting to get to grips with.
But don't 🏧 let that put you off. By the time you are down with this beginner's guide to Texas hold'em poker, you 🏧 will know:
Here we go over the poker rules for Texas Hold'em.
1. What Is Texas Hold'em Poker?
Texas Hold'em is the most 🏧 popular of all poker variations.
All of the marquee tournaments around the world (including those played at the World Series of 🏧 Poker, the World Poker Tour, the and the European Poker Tour) feature the no-limit variation of this game.
Texas hold'em is 🏧 so popular that is the only poker game many players will ever learn.
It takes a moment to learn, but a 🏧 lifetime to master.
Discovering how to play Texas hold'em poker is not difficult and the simplicity of its rules, gameplay, and 🏧 hand-ranking all contribute to the popularity of the game.
However, don't let the simplicity of the game mislead you.
The number of 🏧 possible situations and combinations is so vast that Texas hold'em can be an extremely complex game when you play at 🏧 the highest levels.
If you are approaching the game of Texas hold'em for the first time, starting from the basic rules 🏧 of the game is key. Not only these are the easiest ones to learn, but they are also essential to 🏧 understand the gameplay and, later on, the game's basic strategy.
2. Texas Hold'em Poker Rules
So how do you play Texas hold'em?
The 🏧 goal of a Texas hold'em game is to use your hole cards in combination with the community cards to make 🏧 the best possible five-card poker hand.
Hold'em is not unlike other poker games like five-card draw.
However, the way players construct their 🏧 hands in Texas hold'em is a little different than in draw poker.
It's always possible a player can "bluff" and get 🏧 others to fold better hands.
In a game of Texas hold'em, each player is dealt two cards face down (the ' 🏧 hole cards ')
') Over several betting rounds, five more cards are (eventually) dealt face up in the middle of the 🏧 table
These face-up cards are called the 'community cards.' Each player is free to use the community cards in combination with 🏧 their hole cards to build a five-card poker hand.
5 community cards
While we will see each betting round and different phase 🏧 that forms a full hand of a Texas hold'em game, you should know that the five community cards are dealt 🏧 in three stages:
The Flop: the first three community cards.
the first three community cards. The Turn: the fourth community card.
the fourth 🏧 community card. The River:The fifth and final community card.
Your mission is to construct your five-card poker hands using the best 🏧 available five cards out of the seven total cards (your two hole cards and the five community cards).
You can do 🏧 that by using both your hole cards in combination with three community cards, one hole card in combination with four 🏧 community cards, or no hole cards.
If the cards on the table lead to a better combination, you can also play 🏧 all five community cards and forget about yours.
In a game of Texas hold'em you can do whatever works to make 🏧 the best five-card hand.
If the betting causes all but one player to fold, the lone remaining player wins the pot 🏧 without having to show any cards.
For that reason, players don't always have to hold the best hand to win the 🏧 pot. It's always possible a player can 'bluff' and get others to fold better hands.
READ ALSO: Common Poker Tells: How 🏧 to Read People in Poker
If two or more players make it all of the way to the showdown after the 🏧 last community card is dealt and all betting is complete, the only way to win the pot is to have 🏧 the highest-ranking five-card poker hand.
Now that you know the basics of Texas hold'em and you start to begin gaining an 🏧 understanding of how the game works, it's time to get into some specifics.
These include how to deal Texas hold'em and 🏧 how the betting works.
Basic Rules Key Takeaways: A game of Texas hold'em feature several betting rounds
Players get two private and 🏧 up to five community cards
Unless all players abandon the game before the showdown, you need the highest poker hand to 🏧 win
Download the PokerNews Quick Guide to Texas Hold’em Understand the Texas Holdem Poker Rules with the 1-page handout and join 🏧 the other players and get involved in the game for your chance to win. Download
Before you start learning the rules, 🏧 here's everything you need to host your own poker game!
How to Play Texas Holdem Poker
Let's have a look at all 🏧 the different key aspects of a Texas hold'em game, including the different positions at the table and the betting rounds 🏧 featured in the game.
The Button
The play moves clockwise around the table, starting with action to the left of the dealer 🏧 button.
The 'button' is a round disc that sits in front of a player and is rotated one seat to the 🏧 left every hand.
When playing in casinos and poker rooms, the player with the dealer button doesn't deal the cards (the 🏧 poker room hires someone to do that).
When you play poker home games with friends the player with the button usually 🏧 deals the hands.
The button determines which player at the table is the acting dealer.
The first two players sitting to the 🏧 immediate left of the button are required to post a 'small blind' and a 'big blind' to initiate the betting.
From 🏧 there, the action occurs on multiple streets:
Preflop
Flop
Turn
River
Each one of these moments (or 'streets' in the game's lingo) is explained further 🏧 below.
The button determines which player at the table is the acting dealer.
In Texas hold'em, the player on button, or last 🏧 active player closest to the button receives the last action on all post-flop streets of play.
While the dealer button dictates 🏧 which players have to post the small and big blinds, it also determines where the dealing of the cards begins.
The 🏧 player to the immediate left of the dealer button in the small blind receives the first card and then the 🏧 dealer pitches cards around the table in a clockwise motion from player to player until each has received two starting 🏧 cards.
READ ALSO: Poker Positions Explained: the Importance of Position in Poker
The Blinds
Two “Hole Cards” are dealt face down and the 🏧 first round of betting begins
Before every new hand begins, two players at the table are obligated to post small and 🏧 big blinds.
The blinds are forced bets that begin the wagering.
Without these blinds, the game would be very boring because no 🏧 one would be required to put any money into the pot and players could just wait around until they are 🏧 dealt pocket aces (AA) and only play then.
The blinds ensure there will be some level of 'action' on every hand.
In 🏧 tournaments, the blinds are raised at regular intervals. In cash games, the blinds always stay the same.
In tournaments, the blinds 🏧 are raised at regular intervals.
As the number of players keeps decreasing and the stacks of the remaining players keep getting 🏧 bigger, it is a necessity that the blinds keep increasing throughout a tournament.
throughout a tournament. In cash games, the blinds 🏧 always stay the same.
The player directly to the left of the button posts the small blind, and the player to 🏧 his or her direct left posts the big blind.
The small blind is generally half the amount of the big blind, 🏧 although this stipulation varies from room to room and can also be dependent on the game being played.
In a "$1/$2" 🏧 Texas hold'em game, the small blind isR$1 and the big blind isR$2.
First Betting Round: Preflop
Two “Hole Cards” are dealt face 🏧 down and the first round of betting begins
The first round of betting takes place right after each player has been 🏧 dealt two hole cards.
The first player to act is the player to the left of the big blind.
This position referred 🏧 to as 'under the gun' because the player has to act first. The first player has three options:
Call: match the 🏧 amount of the big blind
match the amount of the big blind Raise: increase the bet within the specific limits of 🏧 the game
increase the bet within the specific limits of the game Fold: throw the hand away
If the player chooses to 🏧 fold, he or she is out of the game and no longer eligible to win the current hand.
Players can bet 🏧 anywhere from the amount of the big blind (the minimum bet allowed) up to the total amount in the current 🏧 pot.
The amount a player can raise to depends on the game that is being played.
In a game of no-limit Texas 🏧 hold'em, the minimum opening raise must be at least twice the big blind, and the maximum raise can be all 🏧 of the chips a player has in his or her stack (an "all-in" bet).
There are other betting variations in hold'em 🏧 poker.
In fixed-limit hold'em (or just "limit hold'em), a raise is always exactly twice the big blind.
In pot-limit hold'em (played much 🏧 less often than the other variations), players can bet anywhere from the amount of the big blind (the minimum bet 🏧 allowed) up to the total amount in the current pot.
After the first player ('under the gun') acts, the play proceeds 🏧 in a clockwise fashion around the table with each player also having the same three options — to call, to 🏧 raise, or fold.
Once the last bet is called and the action is 'closed,' the preflop round is over and play 🏧 moves on to the "flop."
Second Betting Round: The Flop
Three community cards are dealt on the table and a new betting 🏧 round betting.
After the first preflop betting round has been completed, the first three community cards are dealt and a second 🏧 betting round follows involving only the players who have not folded already.
A check simply means to pass the action to 🏧 the next player in the hand.
In this betting round (and subsequent ones), the action starts with the first active player 🏧 to the left of the button.
Along with the options to bet, call, fold, or raise, a player now has the 🏧 option to 'check' if no betting action has occurred beforehand.
A check simply means to pass the action to the next 🏧 player in the hand.
Again betting continues until the last bet or raise has been called (which closes the action).
It also 🏧 can happen that every player simply chooses not to be and checks around the table, which also ends the betting 🏧 round.
Third Betting Round: The Turn
The fourth community card is called the “Turn” and again a new round of betting starts.
Call 🏧 – match the amount of the big blind
The fourth community card, called the turn, is dealt face-up following all betting 🏧 action on the flop.
Once this has been completed, another round of betting occurs, similar to that on the previous street 🏧 of play.
Again players have the option to check, bet, call, fold, or raise.
Final Betting Round: The River
The last community card 🏧 is called the “River”. This is followed by a last round of betting and finally the “Showdown”
Fold – throw the 🏧 hand away
The fifth community card, called the river, is dealt face-up following all betting action on the turn.
Once this has 🏧 been completed, another round of betting occurs, similar to what took play on the previous street of play.
Once more the 🏧 remaining players have the option to options to check, bet, call, fold, or raise.
After all betting action has been completed, 🏧 the remaining players in the hand with hole cards now expose their holdings to determine a winner. This is called 🏧 the showdown.
The Showdown
The player with the best combination of five cards wins
Players construct their hands by choosing the five best 🏧 cards from the seven available
The remaining players show their hole cards, and with the assistance of the dealer, a winning 🏧 hand is determined.
The player with the best combination of five cards wins the pot according to the official poker hand 🏧 rankings.
3. The Hand Rankings in Texas Hold'em Poker
These hand rankings aren't specifically part of Texas hold'em rules, but apply to 🏧 many different poker games.
Royal Flush — five cards of the same suit, ranked ace through ten; e.g., A ♥ K 🏧 ♥ Q ♥ J ♥ 10 ♥
— five cards of the same suit, ranked ace through ten; e.g., Straight Flush 🏧 — five cards of the same suit and consecutively ranked; e.g., 9 ♣ 8 ♣ 7 ♣ 6 ♣ 5 🏧 ♣
— five cards of the same suit and consecutively ranked; e.g., Four of a Kind — four cards of the 🏧 same rank; e.g., Q ♣ Q ♥ Q ♦ Q ♠ 4 ♦
— four cards of the same rank; e.g., 🏧 Full House — three cards of the same rank and two more cards of the same rank; e.g., J ♣ 🏧 J ♥ J ♠ 8 ♦ 8 ♥
— three cards of the same rank and two more cards of the 🏧 same rank; e.g., Flush — any five cards of the same suit; e.g., A ♠ J ♠ 8 ♠ 5 🏧 ♠ 2 ♠
— any five cards of the same suit; e.g., Straight — any five cards consecutively ranked; e.g., Q 🏧 ♣ J ♦ 10 ♥ 9 ♠ 8 ♦
— any five cards consecutively ranked; e.g., Three of a Kind — 🏧 three cards of the same rank; e.g., 8 ♣ 8 ♠ 8 ♦ K ♣ 4 ♥
— three cards of 🏧 the same rank; e.g., Two Pair — two cards of the same rank and two more cards of the same 🏧 rank; e.g., A ♠ A ♣ J ♦ J ♣ 7 ♠
— two cards of the same rank and two 🏧 more cards of the same rank; e.g., One Pair — two cards of the same rank; e.g., 10 ♥ 10 🏧 ♣ 9 ♥ 4 ♦ 2 ♦
— two cards of the same rank; e.g., High Card — five unmatched cards; 🏧 e.g., A♣J♦10♠5♣2♥ would be called "ace-high"
Download the PokerNews Ultimate Guide to Texas Hold’em An intro to Texas Holdem, strategy, rules 🏧 and styles of play, all combined for you to understand Texas Holdem with this ultimate guide. Download
Players construct their hands 🏧 by choosing the five best cards from the seven available (their two hole cards and the five community cards).
If the 🏧 board is showing 9♣5♠K♦3♠A♥, a player with the two hole cards A♦9♠ would have two pair (aces and nines) and 🏧 would lose to a player who has 9♦9♥ for three of a kind (three nines).
Learning hold'em poker begins with understanding 🏧 how hands are dealt and the order of play as described above.
Of course, learning Texas hold'em rules is just the 🏧 beginning, as the next step is to learn strategy which involves understanding what constitutes good starting hand selection, the odds 🏧 and probabilities associated with the game, the significance of position and getting to act last during those post-flop betting rounds, 🏧 and many other aspects of the game. This is where the PokerNews Poker Odds Calculator can help you.
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4. How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker Games Online For Free or Real Money
Now 🏧 that you know how Texas Hold'em works, it's time to put the theory into practice and play your first games.
The 🏧 best way to start playing Texas Hold'em is to start from these free online poker games and then move up 🏧 to the real money action only when you feel comfortable enough to do so.
All the 'must-have poker rooms' below offer 🏧 free games to practice online.
If you are completely new to the game, you should go for play money options, first. 🏧 These risk-free games with fake money are an excellent way to familiarise with the different moments of play and the 🏧 betting rounds.
The play money games are a great way to learn more about the hand rankings and begin to read 🏧 the board fast enough to take all the right decisions at the right time.
After that, you should more to the 🏧 poker freerolls. These are free poker tournaments with actual prizes on tap that range from free money to free entries 🏧 into more expensive real money poker games.
How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker FAQs
What is Texas Hold'em Poker? Texas Hold'em is 🏧 the most popular poker game variant, where players are dealt two private cards (hole cards), and five community cards are 🏧 placed face-up in the center of the table. The aim of the game is to make the best possible five-card 🏧 hand, according to the poker hand rankings, using a combination of your hole cards and the community cards. How do 🏧 I win at Texas Hold'em? To win a hand of Texas Hold'em, you need to have the best five-card poker 🏧 hand. The possible hand rankings, from highest to lowest, are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, 🏧 Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card. What happens if there's a tie in 🏧 Texas Hold'em? If multiple players have the same hand ranking, the pot is split equally among the tying players. What 🏧 is the dealer button, small blind, and big blind? In the game of Texas Hold'em, players take turns being the 🏧 dealer. A dealer button is used and rotates clockwise after each hand. The player to the left of the dealer 🏧 is the small blind, and the player two seats to the left is the big blind. The 'Blinds' are forced 🏧 bets to start the action and build the pot. How are cards dealt in Texas Hold'em? The Dealer in Texas 🏧 Hold'em will give each player two private hole cards, and then five community cards are placed face-up in the center 🏧 of the table. The community cards are dealt in stages: the flop (three cards), the turn (one card), and the 🏧 river (one card). What is the order of play in Texas Hold'em? The order of play rotates clockwise. It starts 🏧 with the player to the left of the dealer and moves around the table. The player to the left of 🏧 the dealer posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind to start the action. How many 🏧 players can play Texas Hold'em? Texas Hold'em can be played with as few as two players or as many as 🏧 ten (in the online casino world some variations of Texas Holdem can be played solo against the dealer). However, it's 🏧 commonly played with 2 to 9 players at a table. What is a betting round in Texas Hold'em poker? Texas 🏧 Hold'em has several betting rounds. After the hole cards are dealt, there is a round of betting. Then, the flop 🏧 is revealed, followed by another betting round. The turn and river cards are revealed with a betting round after each. 🏧 Players can check, bet, fold, call, or raise during these rounds. What are the hand rankings in Texas Hold'em poker? 🏧 The strength of your hand is determined by its rank among all possible hands and the community cards. It's essential 🏧 to understand hand rankings and how they apply to your specific hand in the context of the community cards. The 🏧 possible hand rankings, from highest to lowest, are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, 🏧 Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card. Can players use all, some, or none of their 🏧 hole cards to form their hand? Players can use any combination of their two hole cards and the five community 🏧 cards to make the best hand. It's possible to use both hole cards, only one, or none at all, depending 🏧 on what gives the best hand. When should I fold my hand? There are no hard and fast rules for 🏧 when you should fold your hand, as it can depend on a number of factors, such as table position, the 🏧 strength or style of your opponent, and which round of betting you are in. However, knowing when to fold is 🏧 crucial for preserving your chips and making profitable decisions, so we recommend heading over to the poker strategy section right 🏧 here on PokerNews to read more. How do I calculate pot odds and implied odds in Texas Hold'em poker? Pot 🏧 odds involves comparing the current size of the pot to the cost of your next bet. Implied odds consider the 🏧 potential future bets in addition to the current pot size. Understanding these odds can help you make informed decisions. Is 🏧 bluffing important in Texas Hold'em? Bluffing is a strategic element of the game. When used wisely, it can help you 🏧 win pots with weaker hands. However, it's crucial to be selective and consider your opponents and the table dynamics. Can 🏧 you show your cards to other players during the game? In most poker games, including Texas Hold'em, you can choose 🏧 to show your hand at the end of the hand if you wish. However, you are not required to reveal 🏧 your hand if you win a pot. What are the basic strategies for Texas Hold'em? Basic strategies include starting hand 🏧 selection, position awareness, and understanding betting and odds. Learning when to be aggressive, when to fold, and how to read 🏧 your opponents are also essential skills. What are the different variations of Texas Hold'em? There are variations of Texas Hold'em, 🏧 including No-Limit Texas Hold'em, Limit Texas Hold'em, and Pot-Limit Texas Hold'em. Each has slightly different rules regarding betting. Where can 🏧 I play Texas Hold'em poker online? There are many online poker sites or mobile poker apps where you can play 🏧 Texas Hold'em. Some popular options include PokerStars, 888poker, partypoker, and many others. Can I play Texas Hold'em poker online for 🏧 real money or just for fun? Many online poker sites offer both real money and play money (for fun) games. 🏧 You can choose the type of games that suit your preferences and skill level. However, whether you can play for 🏧 real money will depend on the gambling laws in your location. Are there different types of online poker games available? 🏧 Yes, online poker platforms often offer a variety of poker games beyond Texas Hold'em, including Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and 🏧 more. Is online poker fair, or can it be rigged? Regulated and reputable online poker sites use Random Number Generators 🏧 (RNGs) to ensure fair and random card distribution. These sites are regularly audited to maintain fairness and integrity. Are there 🏧 age restrictions for playing online poker? Yes, you typically need to be at least 18 years old (or the legal 🏧 gambling age in your jurisdiction) to play poker online for real money. Please check your eligibility to play before signing 🏧 up snd placing a bet. Can I play online poker in the United States? Online poker regulations vary by state 🏧 in the United States. Some states have legalized and regulated online poker, while others have not. It's important to check 🏧 the specific laws in your state to see if online poker is legal and available. If real money gaming is 🏧 not available, then you might like to look at one of these sites that offer free online poker games. We 🏧 offer a handy guide to the online poker regulations in the USA.
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