Guide to Texas Holdem

The Blinds

The blinds are mandatory bets posted by two players at the start of each hand, prior to the cards being dealt. The player directly to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, which is a fixed amount. The player to the left of the small-blind player posts the big blind; the big blind is double the amount of the small blind.

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. 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.

Any player has 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 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.

Pre-Flop

The Pocket 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.

The Flop

Now the dealer turns over the first three community cards, called "the flop." All betting rounds start with the player directly to the dealer's left. This round of betting still uses the lower stake, which would be the equivalent amount of the small blind.

The Turn

The fourth community card is dealt and a new betting round begins.

The River

Here the final community card is shown and the last round of betting takes place.

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 his/her 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.