Rules of Texas Hold ‘em
When you first sit down at a Texas Hold ‘em table, you should check out what seat you are in. This is important because each player who is dealt into the game, is in a different betting position, in relation to the dealer. The player with the dealer button is who you will want to spot first. If you are seated to the left of the dealer, you are in the position of the small blind. If you are seated to the left of the small blind, you represent the big blind. All remaining players can wait until the hand is dealt to bet, but will eventually get the chance to be in each position, the dealer, the small blind, and the big blind, as the dealer button is passed to the left after each hand is completed. | The deal starts at the left of the dealer and goes clockwise around the table. Each player gets two cards, which are called “hole cards” or “pocket cards.” After the deal is finished, players review their hands privately (this is where you’ll want to try on your poker face). The small blind acts first and can either fold, call, or raise. The limit level of a game, pot-limit, limit, or no-limit, determines the betting structure and limitations placed on players.
| To stay in the hand, the small blind must call (bet the remainder of the big blind) or raise (completing the big blind bet and then upping the ante. The betting round continues around the table, clockwise, with each player having the choice to fold, call, or raise until the action reaches the big blind again. If no has raised, this player can check (taking no action to raise, but staying in the hand). Some players make the mistake of protecting their blinds at this point, not wanting to fold because they don’t like to throw their blinds away. They will continue to stay in the hand, even if they don’t have a great hand. But in Texas Hold ‘em, any two cards can win, and they often do.
| Once one betting round is finished, the dealer is required to burn one card before dealing “the flop.” The flop, in Texas Hold ‘em, is the first three community cards that are dealt face up on the poker table. Another betting round takes place in the same fashion as the first. Play goes around the table; players fold, call, or raise. There are usually more hands folded during this round, as players who waited to see the flop, realize they don’t have a chance.
| The next round begins with a burn card and “the turn,” which is the fourth community card. This card is dealt face up on the table, in line with the first three community cards. This card is also card “fourth street.” Betting continues. The final round starts with a burn card and “the river” is dealt, also called “fifth street.” The final bets are made, a “showdown” takes place, and all remaining players can show or “muck” (not show) their cards to determine the winning hand. The best hand is made with one or two of a player’s hole cards along with three or four of the five community cards on the table. If two hands tie for the best hand, the pot is split.
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