The Blinds and Dealings
- The Dealer Button: A marker called "the button" is used to indicate the nominal dealer for the hand. This button moves one position clockwise after each hand.
- The Small Blind: Before any cards are dealt, the player immediately to the left of the dealer posts a forced bet known as the "small blind".
- The Big Blind: The player to the left of the small blind posts the "big blind," which is typically twice the size of the small blind and serves as the minimum bet.
- The Deal: Each player is dealt two private "hole" cards face down, one card at a time, starting with the player in the small blind position.
The Betting Rounds
There are four rounds of betting in Texas Hold 'Em
- Pre-Flop: Beginning with the player to the left of the big blind ("under the gun"), players can fold, call (match the big blind), or raise (increase the bet). Raises must be at least the size of the previous bet.
- The Flop: After the pre-flop betting, three community cards are dealt face up. Betting starts with the first active player left of the button. Players can check (if no bet has been made) or bet.
- The Turn: A fourth community card is dealt, followed by another betting round.
- The River: The final community card is dealt, and the last betting round occurs.
The Showdown
If multiple players remain after the final betting round, they reveal their hands. The winner is determined by making the best possible five-card hand using their two hole cards and the five community cards. The pot is split if players have the same best hand. |
