Poker Rules...

We now take a look at the Texas Hold’em poker game rules. If you've already looked at the texas holdem overview then this section gives you more detailed information on poker rules and basic game play.

Prior to dealing the cards, two blinds (The small blind and the big blind) are placed in the pot by the two players to the immediate left of the dealer. The blinds are put in to start the action. The player left of the dealer bets one half of the lower limit (small blind.) The player who sits left of the small blind, wagers an amount equal to the lower limit. When playing online this will be automatically done for you.

Everyone is dealt two down cards (hole cards) and the action begins with the player to the left of the Big Blind folding, calling, or raising. Action continues with all players making one of these decisions. Players cannot "check" in the first round, as blinds are active bets. This is the first betting round.

Upon completion of the first round of betting, the dealer then turns over three community cards (known as “The Flop”). This is the second betting round where players have the option to check, fold, bet or raise. Beginning with this round of betting (and throughout the remainder of the hand,) the player to the left of the button acts first. A player may now check if there is no betting in front of them. If there is betting and/or raising in front of them, they may call, raise, or fold.

Following the completion of action on the “flop,” the dealer turns over another card (known as “The Turn”). This is the third round of betting. (In Limit Hold’em, the amount bet doubles on “The Turn”). The betting again starts with the player closest to the left of the button.

Following the completion of action on “the turn,” the dealer turns over the last card (known as “The River” card). This is the final round of betting.

Upon completion of the final round of betting, the best hand wins the pot. When players have the same winning hand, the pot is split equally between them.

For online Texas Hold’em players, new participants entering the game are required to post the equivalent of the big blind. This prevents players from entering poker games in a late position and leaving before they're required to post the blind.

Once you've familiarised yourself with the rules it's time to move on to the poker terms section - if you don't understand your 'flop' from your 'rivers' this section will help you get to grips with those strange poker phrases - click here.