Game Rules

How to Play Texas Hold’em

1. Small Blind and Big Blind post their forced bets. If playing with antes, all players add their ante to the pot.
2. Two cards are dealt face-down to each player. Cards are usually dealt one at a time starting from the Small Blind and ending at the Dealer.
3. There is a preflop betting round, starting with the player to the left of the Big Blind.
4. The flop – three community cards – is dealt face-up. There is a betting round, starting with the player to the left of the Dealer.
5. The turn – a single community card – is dealt face-up. There is a betting round, starting with the player to the left of the Dealer.
6. The river – a single community card – is dealt face-up. There is a betting round, starting with the player to the left of the Dealer.
7. The showdown occurs and all players still in the hand show their cards. The player who can make the strongest five card hand using the five community cards and their two hole cards wins the pot.
8. Dealer is moved to the left. Repeat.

Five Card Hand Strengths

Players can win the pot either by making all other players fold or by having the best hand at showdown.

In Texas Hold’em Poker, hand rankings are as follows:

Specifics

• All royal flushes are the same strength.
• A higher straight flush – measured by the top end of the straight — beats a lower straight flush. If an Ace is used, it must be either the top or bottom card of the straight.
• A higher four of a kind beats a lower four of a kind. If two hands have the same four of a kind, the higher kicker wins.
• A higher full house beats a lower full house. Full houses are compared first by the three of a kind, then by the pair if the three of a kind is tied.
• A higher flush – measured by the highest card in the flush – beats a lower flush. If the highest card is tied, the second highest card is compared, and so on all the way to the last card.
• A higher straight – measured by the top end of the straight – beats a lower straight. If an Ace is used, it must be either the top or bottom card of the straight.
• A higher three of a kind beats a lower three of a kind. If two hands have the same three of a kind, the highest kicker is compared, then the second kicker if needed.
• A higher two pair beats a lower two pair. Two pair hands are compared first by the higher pair, then by the lower pair, then by the kicker if both pairs are tied.
• A higher one pair beats a lower one pair. If two hands have the same pair, the highest kicker is compared, then the second kicker, then the third kicker if needed.
• A high card hand is compared by the highest card, then the second highest card, and so on all the way to the fifth card. High card only applies when the hand does not contain a pair, straight, flush, or any stronger hand.
• All suits are equal in strength and are never used to break ties.

Betting Rules – Preflop

In standard No Limit Hold’em preflop betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind and travels to the left. On their turn, players may fold, call, or raise.

Fold

To fold is to opt out of the hand. The player sets aside their cards and no longer competes for the pot. Any chips already committed remain in the pot.

Call

To call is to match the current bet. If no raises have occurred, the player must match the 1bb forced bet of the Big Blind.

Raise

To raise is to increase the current bet. Players may only raise when facing a bet and all players must match the raise to proceed to the flop. Raises must be greater or equal to the Minimum Raise Size. In No Limit Hold’em there is no upper limit on the size of raises or the number of raises in a betting round.

The Big Blind has the unique option to raise preflop if all players either call or fold.

Betting Rules – Postflop

Postflop betting starts with the player to the left of the Dealer. If not facing a bet, a player may check, bet, or fold.

Check

To check is to pass their turn. When a player checks they still remain in the hand but they are choosing not to wager a bet.

Bet

To bet is to wager a bet. Players facing a bet may call, raise, or fold.

Fold

To fold is to opt out of the hand. If not facing a bet, there is no strategic reason to fold but it is still an option.

Aside from starting to the left of the Dealer with no forced bet, a postflop betting round is identical to a preflop betting round.

Minimum Raise Size

A raise must be greater or equal to the previous bet or raise. For example, facing a 1bb forced bet from the BB, players must raise by at least 1bb. This means they must raise to at least 2bb.

You may raise all-in even if it does not meet the minimum raise size. However, going all-in this way does not reopen action like a raise would normally do.

Player Positions

Dealer (BTN)

The Dealer is often designated by a large Dealer button and is the last player to receive their hole cards. After each hand, the Dealer button is passed to the left.

Small Blind (SB)

Before receiving their cards, the Small Blind posts a forced bet – typically half a big-blind. The Small Blind is the first player to act postflop.

Big Blind (BB)

Before receiving their cards, the Big Blind posts a forced bet of one big-blind.

Under the Gun (UTG)

The player immediately to the left of the Big Blind. The Under the Gun player is the first player to act preflop.

Hijack (HJ)

In a 6 player game the Hijack is the player to the left of the UTG player. In general, the Hijack is the player that acts before the Cutoff.

Cutoff (CO)

In a 6 player game the Cutoff is the player to the left of the Hijack. In general, the Cutoff is the player that acts before the Dealer.

Positions for More Players

For games of more or less than 6 players, positions are named as follows:

In 2 or 3 player games the BTN is also the UTG player since they are first to act preflop but we omit it from our chart for clarity. LJ stands for Lojack – the player immediately before the HJ.