Texas Hold'em is a popular poker variant where each player
is dealt two cards face-down ("hole cards") and then five cards are dealt
face-up in the center of the table. The five cards in the middle are called
"community cards" and are shared by all the players. Each of the players tries
to make the best five card poker hand using any combination of their hole cards
and the community cards.
Rules of Play
In Texas Hold'em, commonly referred to as Hold'em, players are each dealt two "hole"
cards after which there is a round of betting. Three "community" or "board"
cards, referred to as the "flop", are then turned face up simultaneously, and another
round of betting occurs. The next two "board" cards, respectively, the "turn"
and "river", are then turned face up one at a time, with a round of betting after each one.
After the final round of betting, a player can use any combination of "hole"
and "board" cards to form a five-card hand. A player may even use all of the "board"
and no "hole" cards, which is commonly referred to as "playing the board".
Determination of winners follows standard Hand Rankings.
Betting Action
In Hold'em, a disc also known as the "dealer button", indicates the person that is the theoretical dealer, even though that player does not deal the cards. Prior to players receiving "hole" cards "blinds" are posted. The player immediately clockwise from the dealer button posts the small blind equating to half a small bet ($0.50 in a $1/$2 game). The next available player immediately clockwise the small blind posts the "big blind", which is a full small bet ($1 in a $1/$2 game). Players then receive their "hole" cards. The betting action proceeds around the table, commencing with the player immediately clockwise the big blind. On all subsequent betting rounds, the action will begin with the first active player to the left of the button.
If there is more than one active player remaining when the final betting is completed, the last bettor or raiser shows their cards. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot and if two or more players have identical hands, the pot will be equally divided amongst them. The button now moves clockwise to the next player and another hand begins.
Side Pots
Occasionally during the course of gameplay, one player will
bet or raise more chips than you have in front of you. IN that case, you have
two options. You can fold your hand, or you can push in your remaining chips to
put you all-in. If other players call the first player’s raise, this creates a
side pot. In this case, the original player’s raise will be divided with an
amount of chips equal to your call placed in the main pot, and any additional
chips placed in a separate pot to be wagered on by any players with chips
remaining. In the instance that all players fold other than you fold, the
raising player will be returned his excess chips, and both players will play
the hand out without additional betting.
