Overview
Texas Hold'em is the most popular form of poker in the world. Each player receives two private cards ("hole cards"), and five community cards are dealt face-up on the board. Players make the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards. The player with the best hand (or the last player remaining after all others have folded) wins the pot.
The Setup
The Dealer Button
A round disc called the "button" or "dealer button" rotates clockwise around the table after each hand. It indicates the nominal dealer position and determines the order of betting. The player on the button acts last in every betting round after the flop, giving them a significant strategic advantage.
The Blinds
Before any cards are dealt, two players must post forced bets called "blinds." The player immediately left of the button posts the small blind (typically half the minimum bet), and the next player posts the big blind (the full minimum bet). Blinds ensure there is always money in the pot to play for.
The Deal
Each player receives two face-down cards, starting with the player in the small blind and going clockwise. These are your hole cards, and only you can see them.
Betting Rounds
Preflop
After the hole cards are dealt, betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind (this position is called "under the gun" or UTG). Each player can fold, call the big blind, or raise. Action proceeds clockwise. The big blind acts last and can check (if no one has raised) or raise.
The Flop
Three community cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table. A new betting round begins, starting with the first active player to the left of the button. Players can check (pass the action) or bet. If someone bets, subsequent players can fold, call, or raise.
The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt face-up. Another round of betting follows, using the same rules as the flop. In fixed-limit games, the bet size typically doubles on the turn.
The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt face-up. The last round of betting takes place. If two or more players remain after this round, the hand goes to showdown.
The Showdown
Players reveal their hands. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. Players can use both, one, or neither of their hole cards combined with the community cards. If two or more players have identical hands, the pot is split equally between them.
Betting Actions
- Fold: Discard your hand and forfeit any claim to the pot.
- Check: Pass the action to the next player without betting (only if no one has bet in the current round).
- Bet: Place the first wager in a betting round.
- Call: Match the current bet to stay in the hand.
- Raise: Increase the current bet. Other players must then call the new amount, re-raise, or fold.
- All-in: Bet all your remaining chips. You can still win the portion of the pot you contributed to.
Positions at the Table
| Position | Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Under the Gun | UTG | First to act preflop. Earliest position, plays tightest range. |
| Middle Position | MP | Between early and late positions. Moderate range. |
| Cutoff | CO | One seat right of the button. Opens wider. |
| Button | BTN | Best position. Acts last postflop. Widest opening range. |
| Small Blind | SB | Posts half the blind. Out of position postflop. |
| Big Blind | BB | Posts the full blind. Closes the preflop action. |
Betting Structures
Texas Hold'em can be played with different betting structures:
- No-Limit (NL): Players can bet any amount up to all their chips at any time. The most popular format.
- Pot-Limit (PL): The maximum bet is the current size of the pot.
- Fixed-Limit (FL): Bets and raises are fixed at specific amounts determined by the stakes.
Basic Strategy Tips
- Play tight from early positions and widen your range as you get closer to the button.
- Position is power. Acting last gives you more information about your opponents' intentions.
- Starting hand selection is the single most impactful skill for beginners. Fold weak hands.
- Pay attention to pot odds. Don't chase draws without the right price. Use the pot odds widget on the calculator to practice.
- Observe your opponents. Look for patterns in their betting behavior.
Next Steps
- Memorize the hand rankings — the foundation of every poker decision.
- Study preflop charts to learn which hands to play from each position.
- Understand pot odds to make better calling decisions.
- Take the poker quiz to test what you've learned.