How to play Texas Hold'em

Objective

Win the pot with the best five-card poker hand or by making every opponent fold.

Setup

1. 1

   Choose a dealer button and post the small and big blinds.

2. 2

   Deal two cards face down to each player.

How play works

1. 1

   Bet before the flop, then reveal three community cards.

2. 2

   Bet after the flop, turn, and river. Players may check, bet, call, raise, or fold as permitted.

3. 3

   At showdown, form the best five-card hand from any combination of the seven available cards.

Scoring and winning

1. 1

   The last player remaining wins without showing, or the strongest hand at showdown wins.

2. 2

   Split equally tied pots. Move the dealer button clockwise for the next hand.

Rules to settle before play

1. 1

   Set blind sizes and buy-in rules before play.

2. 2

   Standard hand order runs from high card through royal flush.