Holdem Rules: Imagine this scenario: your friends have invited you to a poker night with food, drinks, and, of course, poker. You want to join in on the fun, but you don’t know how to play poker {blog.prepscholar.com}. Don’t worry! I’ll teach you how to play Texas Holdem so you can partake in the festivities and bond over a friendly game of cards. [https://blog.prepscholar.com/texas-holdem-rules]
Texas Holdem, also known as Texas Hold ‘Em, is the most popular poker game at casinos and home poker games. While becoming a great Holdem player takes years of practice and studying, {blog.prepscholar.com} learning the basics is quick and easy. In this article, I’ll walk you through the Texas Holdem rules. After reading this, you’ll be ready to play online, at a casino, or with your friends. Just remember, knowing the rules won’t make you an outstanding player, but you’ll be able to participate and improve with practice.
How to Win Texas Holde
In poker, the goal is to win as many poker chips as possible, one hand at a time {blog.prepscholar.com}. Different chips represent different denominations of money. You can win chips by having the best 5-card hand or by being the last player remaining after all others have folded, meaning they gave up instead of risking additional chips.
The 10 Possible Poker Hands
In Texas Holdem, each player is dealt 2 cards (hole cards), and up to 5 community cards are flipped in the center of the table. Your best 5-card hand out of the 7 total cards determines your final hand. Here are the 10 possible poker hands, ranked from best to worst: [https://blog.prepscholar.com/texas-holdem-rules]
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all the same suit
- Straight Flush: Five cards in sequence, all the same suit
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank
- Full House: Three of a kind and a pair
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit
- Straight: Five cards in sequence but not of the same suit
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank
- Two Pair: Two different pairs
- Pair: Two cards of the same rank
- High Card: If no other hand is made, the highest card determines the hand’s strength
If multiple players have hands ranked the same, {blog.prepscholar.com} the highest card within the hand determines the winner. For example, if each player has a pair, the highest pair wins. If two players have the same pair, the highest other card (kicker) determines the winner.
Texas Holdem Setup
Texas Holdem can be played with 2-10 players at a single table {blog.prepscholar.com}. Before starting, each player purchases chips. In a home game or tournament, everyone typically starts with the same number of chips. For example, each player might put in $40 and receive $2,000 in chips. At a casino, the number of chips you get is based on your buy-in amount. If you buy in with $100, you get $100 worth of chips. Casinos usually have a minimum and maximum buy-in. [https://blog.prepscholar.com/texas-holdem-rules]
The Dealer Button
In a home game, the dealer button is placed in front of the person who will deal the hand and bet last after the initial betting round {blog.prepscholar.com}. After each hand, the dealer button moves to the left. In a casino, a casino employee deals each hand, and the dealer button determines who bets last. After each hand, the dealer button moves to the left.
The Blinds
Blinds are the initial bets at the table {blog.prepscholar.com}. At the beginning of each hand, two players post bets before any cards are dealt: the small blind and the big blind. The player to the left of the dealer button posts the small blind, and the player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind. The big blind is the minimum bet after cards are dealt, and the small blind is half of that. The blinds guarantee there will be chips to win in each hand and force players to make bets, preventing extremely conservative play.
Betting Rounds
Texas Holdem involves four different rounds of betting. In each round, players can fold, raise, or call. If you raise, you increase the bet by at least the big blind. In no limit poker, you can bet up to all of your chips (going all-in). In limit poker, you can only raise by a predetermined maximum amount, and there are a limited number of raises allowed per round. [https://blog.prepscholar.com/texas-holdem-rules]
If you fold, you give up your hand instead of betting additional chips {blog.prepscholar.com}. To fold, place your cards face down in the center of the table. Never show your cards to anyone else when you fold.
If you call, you match the last bet. Additionally, if nobody has bet in a round, you can check, meaning you keep your hand without placing a bet. Typically, players check if they have a weak hand or want others to think they have a weak hand.
Betting Round 1: The Pre-Flop
The pre-flop betting round happens after each player receives their 2 hole cards and before any community cards are turned. Cards are dealt one at a time, clockwise, starting with the small blind. Betting action starts to the left of the big blind {blog.prepscholar.com}. Players can call the big blind, raise, or fold. After each person has had a turn and all remaining players have bet the same amount, the betting round is over. If nobody raises, the big blind can check, raising, or folding to complete the round.
Betting Round 2: The Flop
Three community cards are flipped after the dealer uses a burn card (the top card on the deck placed face down). The flop consists of these three community cards {blog.prepscholar.com}. Another betting round follows, starting with the first remaining player to the left of the dealer button. Players can bet, fold, or call. If nobody has bet, a player can check. [https://blog.prepscholar.com/texas-holdem-rules]
Betting Round 3: The Turn
The dealer burns a card and flips the top card next to the flop. This card is called the turn, the fourth community card. Then, there’s another round of betting with the same rules as before.
Betting Round 4: The River
After burning a card, the dealer flips the top card next to the turn. This card is called the river, the fifth and final community card. One last betting round follows.
The Showdown
If more than one hand remains after the final betting round, a showdown occurs {blog.prepscholar.com}. Players reveal their hole cards, and the best 5-card hand wins the pot. The best hand is determined by combining the 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards. If hands are ranked the same, the highest card within the hand wins. If players have identical 5-card hands, they split the pot. If you don’t want to show your cards, you can “muck” them, placing them face down in the center of the table, automatically losing but keeping your hand secret.
How to Play Texas Holdem: Summary
In Texas Holdem, each player receives two hole cards, and the rest are community cards used by all players to make the best 5-card hand. After the blinds are posted, each player is dealt two cards face down. Following a round of betting, three community cards (the flop) are flipped in the center of the table. Another betting round ensues. Then, a fourth community card (the turn) is flipped, followed by another betting round. Finally, the fifth community card (the river) is flipped, and the final betting round takes place. If more than one player remains, a showdown determines the winner based on the best 5-card hand. If all players fold before the final betting round, the last remaining player wins the pot.
For more tips and strategies on mastering Texas Holdem, visit blog.prepscholar.com. Practice regularly to improve your skills and become a formidable player. Happy playing!
