The Basics of Texas Holdem Poker

Sequence of Play

1. Dealer is selected and blinds are posted.

The first step of any Texas Holdem game is to select a dealer. This is done randomly by dealing out cards, face up to every player. The player that has the highest card is the starting dealer (also known as button). This only has to be done once, at the beginning of the game. Sequentially, the button is passed clockwise after every round.

The player to the left of the dealer is the small blind. And the player next to the small blind is the big blind.

2. Cards are dealt to all players.

Once blinds are posted, cards are dealt. The first card should be dealt to the player left of the dealer (usually the small blind), and continued clockwise until each player has 2 cards, face down.

3. Pre-flop betting begins

After all cards are dealt, the first round of betting begins. This is called pre-flop betting. As there are no community cards, players have to base their decision solely on the two cards they are holding.

The player after the big blind is the first to act. He is given the option to either call the blinds, raise, or fold. It is then the next person's turn to act (revolving clockwise).

4. The flop.

Three community cards are now dealt face up, in the center of the table. These are the first community cards to be dealt, and they are called the flop.

Community cards are active for all players and can be used in combination with their hands.

5. Second round of betting.

Once the flop has been dealt, the second round of betting begins. Players have the option to check, bet, raise, or fold. They will make their decision based on the cards they are holding combined with the community cards.

6. The turn.

The fourth community card is now dealt face up. This card is called the turn.

7. 3rd round of betting.

Once the turn card has been revealed, the players will once again have a chance to do a round of betting. They have the option to check, fold, bet or raise.

8. The river.

Once the betting is complete, the last community card is revealed. This is called the river and it is shown face up to all players. This will be the last chance for players to make their hands.

9. Final round of betting.

This is the final round of betting. Players combine their cards with the community cards to make the top hand. Players may check, bet, raise, or fold.

10. The showdown

This is the showdown. The remaining players now flip over their hands and reveal their best hand combination (2 cards and 5 community cards). The player with the better hand takes the pot. If it is a tie, the pot is split evenly amongst them.