How to Play Texas Hold'em

Texas hold'em is the most popular variation of poker found at online poker rooms with the majority of poker traffic centered on the hold'em tables. The greatest number of tables exists in Texas hold'em for ring games and for tournaments and it is never difficult to find a game. Texas hold'em includes hole cards and community cards.

The Blinds and the Hole Cards
Before a game of Texas hold'em begins, the blinds are placed. These are bets placed by the two players immediately to the dealer's left. The first blind is placed by the player to the dealer's left and is half the minimum bet. The second blind is placed by the player to the first blind's left and it is equal to the minimum bet. Once the blinds have been placed, each player will be dealt two cards face-down. These cards are known as the hole cards.

The Flop
Once the cards have been dealt, a betting round takes place. Betting begins with the player to the left of the blinds and continues round the table. Players have the chance to call, raise or fold. Once the betting is completed, the dealer burns (discards) the top card and deals three cards face up into the middle of the table. This is the flop. A second round of betting begins, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Players have the chance to check, raise or fold.

Fourth Street
Following the betting, the dealer burns the top card and deals one more card face up into the center of the table. The fourth community card is known as fourth street or the turn. A round of betting takes place with players given the chance to check, call, raise or fold.

Fifth Street
The dealer burns the top card and deals another card, face up into the center of the table. The fifth community card is known as fifth street or the river. A final round of betting takes place.

Winning at Texas Hold'em
Following the final round of betting, the remaining players in the game will be required to make up their final five-card poker hand. This hand can be made up using the player's two hole cards and any three of the community cards. Players will then reveal their five-card poker hand and the hands will be ranked to determine the winner. If there are no ranked hands, the high card from each hand will be compared and this card will determine the winner.

Hold'em Hand Rankings
Each hand in a game of Texas hold'em is ranked and this is how the winner is determined. Hand rankings in the game, from highest to lowest are:

• Royal flush – five consecutive cards, Ace high, in the same suit
• Straight flush – five consecutive cards, in the same suit
• Four of a kind – four cards of the same numerical value
• Full house – three cards of one numerical value and two of another
• Flush – any five cards in the same suit
• Straight – five consecutive cards, in any suits
• Three of a kind – three cards of the same numerical value
• Two pair- two cards of one value and two cards of another value
• Pair – two cards of one value