What are the rules for Texas Hold'em?

Know the rules for Texas Hold'em before you hit the tables.

Basic Rules

Each player is dealt two cards face down (called pocket cards). The dealer then deals five community cards face up; these are available to all the players to help make their hand. Players may use any combination of their pocket cards and the community cards to make their hand. The best five-card hand takes the pot.

Our poker lobby has Fixed Limit (FL) and No Limit (NL) options. The game type you select will dictate the bet minimums and maximums for that game.

Fixed Limit (FL)

Both the bet and raise amounts are preset in Texas Hold'em. For example:

In a $5/$10 ‘Fixed’ game, both the bets and raises for the first two rounds of betting must be $5. The last two rounds will have a bet/raise amount of $10.

No Limit (NL)

No maximum bet limits. You can bet as much as you like during any round of betting. The minimum bet is the big-blind amount. ‘No Limit Hold’em’ makes for big pots, fast action and great watching.

The Stakes

The stakes are tied directly to the game type you select. For a ‘Fixed Limit’ game, the stakes dictate the bet and raise amount for each round. Using the $5/$10 stakes example again:

In the first two rounds of betting, both the bet and the raise must be $5, no more, no less. The last two rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.

The Cap

In ‘Fixed Limit’ games, each round of betting can consist of one bet and has a maximum number of three allowable raises, known as the cap. So, if a bet is made, that bet can only be raised three times, after which all players must call or fold. However, if only two players remain in the hand, the cap is increased to a maximum of five raises.

In ‘No Limit’ games, the stakes represent the amounts posted as the blinds.

The Blinds

The blinds are mandatory bets posted by two players at the start of each hand and before the cards are dealt. The player directly to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, which in a ‘Fixed Limit’ game is half the small stake rounded down to the nearest dollar. In ‘No Limit’ games, the small blind is equal to the small stake. The player to the left of the small-blind player posts the big blind, which in a ‘Fixed Limit’ game is equal to the small stake. In ‘No Limit’ games, the big blind is equal to the big stake. Using the $5/$10 stakes again:

In a ‘Fixed Limit’ game, the small blind posts $2.50 (half of $5) and the big blind posts $5.

In a $5/$10 or ‘No Limit’ game, the small blind posts $5 and the big blind posts $10.

In poker, blinds are used as an incentive for players to play a hand and build the pot. Consider blinds to be mandatory bets and raises; any player that wants to play the hand must match the big blind to stay in. The blinds are considered live bets, so when the action goes around the table and returns to the players who posted the blinds, they have the option of checking, calling, raising or folding.

Players have the option of sitting out and waiting for the big blind to reach them. However, if a player sits out and misses posting the big blind, then that player will be required to post a big blind and a small "dead" blind before returning. This rule is in place to prevent potential abuse from players who join a table and then leave before having to post the blinds.

The Dealer Button

The button in Texas Hold'em is a graphic symbol that represents the theoretical dealer. After each hand, the button moves clockwise to the next active player, who becomes the dealer for that hand. This player is considered to be "on the button," and is the last person to act in the betting round. The first player to the left of the button is the first player to be dealt cards, the first player to act in each betting round and the player that posts the small blind.

Gameplay

You’ve bought into a table, sat down and posted your big blind. Now what?

Pre-Flop...The Pocket Cards (aka the Hole Cards)

The dealer deals each player two cards face down. Only the player can see his/her pocket cards. After the cards are dealt, action lies on the player after the big blind. This player must decide whether to call, raise or fold the big blind. Each player in turn is given these options, until all bets are called and the big blind checks. In a ‘Fixed Limit’ game, any raises are limited to the lower stake amount.

The Flop

Following the Pre-Flop, the dealer turns over the first three community cards in what is called "the flop." All betting rounds start with the player directly to the dealer's left. For ‘Fixed Limit’ games, this round of betting still uses the lower stake. Using our example $5/$10 game, any bets or raises must be $5. The ‘No Limit’ rules don't change.

The Turn (aka Fourth Street)

The fourth community card is dealt and a new betting round begins. The bet amount for ‘Fixed Limit’ games increases to the upper stake. Betting continues until all bets are called.

The River

Here, the final community card is shown and the last round of betting takes place. The bet amount for ‘Fixed Limit’ games is still the big stake.

The Showdown

All the bets have been called; it's time to show the cards. The last player to bet or raise during the final round of betting will show their hand first. If all players checked through (nobody bet), the player to the left of the dealer will show first. The remaining players' hands will be automatically revealed moving clockwise, unless a hand is weaker than the winning hand shown. In this case, you'll have the option to show, or muck (fold without showing) your cards. The best five-card hand takes the pot. For a complete list of hand rankings, please consult the Hand Rankings page.

Buying the Pot

If you make a bet during a betting round and all players fold to you, you’ve bought the pot. You have the option to show or muck your cards.