Rules

In Texas Hold ‘Em, all players are dealt two pocket (or hole) cards. Then, a total of five community cards are revealed by the dealer. After all rounds of betting, the best five-card hard, using any combination of pocket and community cards, wins. While the casino dealer is always the one to physically deal the cards, a dealer button is rotated around the table so that each player is in the dealer’s position once per round. This allows the blinds to be set. Normally, two blinds are used, that indicate the two players that will put antes into the pot. It is also possible to play Hold ‘Em with one blind, multiple blinds, an ante, or a combination of blinds plus an ante. Be sure to ask the casino dealer which format is being used at your table.

To start play, the dealer deals each player two pocket cards face-down. Then, a round of betting ensues. After the betting, the dealer burns one card and reveals three community cards face up. This is called the flop. After the flop, there is second round of betting. The dealer then burns another card and reveals one more community card (the turn, or fourth street), and then the third round of betting takes place. After the third betting round, the dealer burns one more card and reveals one final community card. This card is called the river, or fifth street. There is then a final round of betting, followed by a showdown in which each remaining player shows their hand with the bettor showing first.

Players must use one of the following combinations of five cards at the showdown:

1. Two pocket cards and three community cards
2. One pocket card and four community cards
3. Zero pocket cards and all five community cards

Tips

After posting your blind, that money is no longer yours, just like an ante. Don’t think that you need to defend the blind by calling raises even when you don’t have a great hand. All this will do is lead to wasting additional money on marginal hands. Also, don’t just always call with the small blind with the assumption that you might as will pay the other half of the ante. If you have nothing, you have nothing. Saving that half of the ante will pay for your next small blind, and get you into the game when your hand is hot.

Choosing whether or not to continue playing after seeing the flop can be a tough decision. It can also be a costly decision if you continue with an weak hand. Keep in mind that the flop determines about 71% of your hand. After those three community cards come out, you’ve seen 5/7 of the final hand. This should give you enough information to determine whether or not to continue.

If you feel that you have the top hand after seeing the turn, go ahead and bet. If you simply check, you may lose a few bets. Most players will call you in a straightforward low-limit game. If your hand truly is the best, why not make them pay? Remember, you’re playing against the other players at the table. Don’t give them a free card. Take them out of the game when you can.

Ranking of Hands

• Royal Flush
• Straight Flush
• Four of a Kind
• Full House
• Flush
• Straight
• Three of a Kind
• Two Pair
• One Pair