Texas Hold 'Em

The most popular variation of poker is Texas Hold'em. Conveniently it is also the easiest to learn.

To begin with players are dealt two 'hole' cards that only they can see and use. Then, five 'community' cards are dealt in the middle of the table that everyone can see and use with their hand. Players can make their five-card hand from both, one or none of their hole cards in combination with the community cards.

The game is split into four rounds of betting, and the game moves clockwise around the table. Betting starts from the player position next to the dealer button, which moves one place to the left after each hand.

If two or more players hold equally-strong winning five-card hands and tie, the pot will be split between the two players. If there is an odd chip left from the winnings, the player sitting closest to the left of the dealer button will receive this.

The Blinds

Before the game starts, the two players sat to the left of the dealer post 'blind' bets, these are called blinds because they are made before the players have seen any cards. The blinds ensure that there is some money in the pot to play for as the game starts. The player to the left of the dealer posts the 'small blind', and the player positioned to his left then posts the 'big blind'.

Pre-Flop

Each player is dealt two cards, face down. These are called hole or pocket cards. The action begins on the player to the left of the big blind. He or she has three options: either call the bet, raise the bet, or fold.

Betting

Call
Calling the bet means that you want to match the amount bet in the big blind.

Raise
Raising the bet means you want to increase the amount bet by the previous player.

Fold
Folding means you give up your cards and your stake in the game.

When the betting resumes, the player who made the big blind (the first full bet), can 'check' or opt to stay in the game without adding anything to the pot. However, if an opponent has raised, the big blind has three options: he has to either fold, call, or re-raise.

The Flop

This stage involves dealing three 'community' cards face up on the table. Players can use these to make their five-card hand. A second round of betting follows.

The Turn

The fourth community card is dealt face up on the table. The third round of betting follows.

The River

The fifth and final community card is dealt, followed by the final round of betting.

The Showdown

If there is more than one player left in the game, there is a showdown in which the players reveal their cards and the highest hand wins (see Poker Hand Rankings below). If two players share an identical hand, the pot is split.