Texas Hold 'Em

How Texas Hold 'em Works

Texas Hold 'em is the most popular variant of poker, combining skill, strategy, and a dash of luck. Each player receives two private "hole" cards, known only to them. Over the course of the hand, five "community" cards are dealt face-up on the table for all players to use. The goal is to make the best possible five-card poker hand using any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards.

The Flow of a Hand

A game of Texas Hold 'em unfolds over a series of four betting rounds, with cards revealed in stages.

Pre-Flop: After each player is dealt their two private cards, the first round of betting begins.
The Flop: Three community cards are dealt face-up on the table, and a second betting round takes place.
The Turn: A fourth community card is added to the board, followed by another round of betting.
The River: The final community card is revealed, and the last round of betting occurs.

Winning the Pot

There are two ways to win the pot, which is the sum of all the bets placed during a hand:

Forcing a Fold: You can win by making a bet that no other player is willing to match. This forces them to "fold," or give up their hand, leaving you as the last one remaining.
Showdown: If two or more players remain after the final betting round, they proceed to a "showdown" where they reveal their hands. The player with the strongest five-card hand, according to standard poker rankings, takes the entire pot.