Learning Poker

Texas Hold’EM - Introductory Guide

The objective is to make the best 5 card hand combining your 2 “hole cards� and the 5 community cards face-up on the board.

Someone is designated the dealer. They are handed the “button�.
The player two seats to the left of the button is the “big blind�. They have an automatic forced bet before the cards are dealt.

The player immediately to the left of the button is the small blind. They are forced to put up half the bet of the big blind before the cards are dealt.
Everybody is dealt 2 cards face down starting with the small blind. These are called hole cards. Do not let anyone see them.

Everyone looks at their cards and then the first round of betting occurs with the person to the left of the big blind (This is called “under the gun�)
To stay in the hand you must “call� or match the big blind or if someone has raised, match their bet. If you do not wish to bet you fold.

Once the betting stops the “flop� the first 3 cards are dealt. These are community cards and everybody can use them.
There is another round of betting that begins with the person to the immediate left of the button in increments of the small blind.

You may check (pass) if no one bets, call a bet, raise the bet or fold.
The next card (aka 4th street, the TURN) is now dealt face up.

There is another round of betting but the stakes double.
The next card is dealt face-up 5th street (the river)

There is a final round of betting.
The players left in the hand turn-up their cards and the best 5 card winning hand wins the pot. You can use 1, 2 or none of the cards in your hand in combination with the community cards to create the best 5 card hand.

NOTE - In no-limit games you can bet as many chips as you have in front of you.