Texas Holdem Rules

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The poker game taking the world by storm, Texas Holdem poker was developed in Texas when cowboys, ready to gamble, needed a game where many players could compete at the same time. Draw poker games were restricted to 5 players and Seven Card Stud to a maximum of eight players. The result was Texas Hold’em with only two cards per player and 5 community cards, (Called the Board.) Hold’em can seat 22 or even 23 players, if burn cards aren’t used. Most online poker games have 9 or 10 seats, but smaller tables with 6, 3, and even 2 are available.

To achieve the best 5 cards poker hand the player may use 2, 1 or even none of his Hole Cards. For example: If a player held the 7c-8c and the board was As-Kd-10h-Jc-Qd. His best hand would be an Ace high straight. If his opponent held the Ac-Kc, or 9s-8d, his best hand would also be an Ace High straight. The hand is a tie, or push, and the pot would be split among all remaining active players. A 6th card is never considered. Ties do occur frequently in Hold'em.

Quick Summary

The dealer’s button is moved to the next player. Position 1 and position 2 – to the left of the button - post small and big blinds. Each player is dealt their 2 card, pocket hand. The player in Position 3 (is UTG or Under the Gun) starts the action on the pre flop betting round. After everyone has either folded, called, or raised and the action is complete, three community cards, the flop, are dealt to the center of the table.

A betting round occurs started by the first active player to the Dealer’s left. A single card, the turn, is dealt to the center of the table. Another betting round occurs started by the first active player to the Dealer’s left. A single and last card, the river, is dealt to the center of the table for a total of 5 community cards. (There will be no more cards.) A final betting round occurs started by the first active player to the Dealer’s left. The cards are exposed, a showdown, and the pot is awarded to the player holding the best 5 card poker hand.

The Hand (For poker hands in German, check Poker Blatt )

The Dealer’s button moves to the next player. This player “deals” the cards and will act last on every round except the first one.

The player to the left of the dealer, Position 1, posts the Small Blind. In Limit Hold’em this small blind is usually half of the small bet. In No Limit Hold’em the Small Blind is usually half the minimum bet.

The next player, Position 2, posts the BIG blind which is equal to a bet. Since these bets are blind, the players in position 1, and 2 will act after the dealer on the first round of betting only.

Any new players will post a Big Blind if they want to play the hand, and players that may have sat out and missed their Blinds are required to post a Big and Small blind as appropriate.

Each player in the hand is dealt his 2 card personal hand, pocket cards, and the first betting round occurs. The action is started by Position 3, UTG (Under The Gun.) (Positions 1 & 2 have posted blind bets already.) The player has the option to Fold, Call the blind bet, or Raise. The action continues to the left, clockwise, and each player has the option to Fold, Call all bets and raises, or Raise. In limit poker the number of raises is usually limited to 3, but you may encounter 4 raises at some online poker sites. The round of betting ends when all players have folded or call all appropriate bets and raises. At the end of any betting round: If all of the players fold but one, the last active, player with cards is the winner and is awarded the pot.

The Flop, 3 cards are dealt up to the center of the table. The 2nd betting round occurs. For this round, and the remaining betting rounds, action begins with the first active player to the left of the dealer. The player has the option to Check, or Bet. (The player could Fold, but should not.) The action moves around the table clockwise. If all of the players Check, the betting round ends. When a player bets the action continues around the table and each player may Fold, Call, or Raise. (There are a maximum number of raises in LIMIT Hold’em.) The betting round ends when all players have folded or called all appropriate bets and raises.

The Turn, 1 card is dealt up to the center of the table putting 4 cards on the board. The 3rd betting round occurs and the Bet size is DOUBLED for the rest of the hand. For this round and the remaining betting rounds action begins with the first active player to the left of the dealer. The player has the option to Check, or Bet. (The player could Fold.) The action moves around the table clockwise. If all of the players Check, the betting round ends. When a player bets, the action continues around the table and each player may Fold, Call, or Raise. (There are a maximum number of raises in LIMIT Hold’em.) The betting round ends when all players have folded or called all appropriate bets and raises.

The River, the last card is dealt up to the center of the table putting 5 cards on the board. The 4th and final betting round occurs. The Big Bet size is used. The player has the option to Check, or Bet. (The player could Fold.) The action moves around the table clockwise. If all of the players Check, the betting round ends. When a player bets the action continues around the table and each player may Fold, Call, or Raise. (There are a maximum number of raises in LIMIT Hold’em.) The betting round ends when all players have folded or called all appropriate bets and raises

The Showdown occurs after this betting round ends. Each player shows his hand and the best 5 card poker hand, using any combination of the 2 Hole cards or 5 community cards on the board, decides the winner. Players may use 2, 1, or even none of their personal Hole cards. If a tie occurs the pot is divided equally among the winners.

Move the button.

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