How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker

In The Ultimate Poker Tour…

STEP 1:
A hand of Texas Hold ‘em starts with the two players on the left of the dealer putting in BLINDS. There’s a SMALL BLIND and a BIG BLIND. The big blind is larger than the small blind. The blinds are determined before the hand starts. See Blinds Strategy
Here’s what the table will look like:

The dealer position has a small, round “button” in front of him, to signify positioning. That’s why you’ll often hear the words “on the button”… that’s the dealer position.

STEP 2:
OK, so after two players put in their blinds, each player is dealt TWO CARDS face-down. These are called your “hole cards”.
Example hole cards:

Your Hole Cards

Now, each player has the opportunity to CALL THE BLINDS, MAKE A RAISE, OR FOLD. If someone makes a raise, the next player will have to call the raise or raise again to stay in the hand. The action always moves clockwise.

The person to the IMMEDIATE LEFT of the big blind is first to act. This player is known to be in FIRST POSITION.

If no one raises the pot, the last person to act is the player who puts in the big blind. He can either CHECK (and let the flop come out) or he can bet (and start another round of action at the table).

Once everyone has called the bets and raises (or folded), it can be said that “the pot is good”. Now it’s time for the “flop”.

STEP 3:
The dealer places three cards face-UP on the center of the table…

Example flop:

Flop

Now another round of betting begins. For the rest of the hand, the action will start with the person to the IMMEDIATE LEFT of the dealer and move clockwise… with the dealer acting LAST in any round of action.

Here’s what the table looks like:

Once the second round of betting is finished, the dealer places a FOURTH card on the table. This card is known as the “turn card” or “fourth street”. Once again, players are allowed to bet.

Example turn card:

 

Flop						Turn

Then, the dealer lays out the fifth and final card known as “fifth street” or the “river”. Then, the final round of betting begins. When this round of betting ends, the players who haven’t folded turn over their cards and the best cards win.

Flop						Turn		River

The winner is the person with the strongest five card hand.
Even through there are seven cards in each player’s hand, only the best five card hand counts.

 

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