Starting Hands
Introduction to Texas Hold'em
The Button
Texas hold'em is unique in that all of the players take a turn as the dealer. The dealer is usually noted by a button or a placemark, which will rotate from hane to hand. The button moves clockwise after each hand is played.
The Blinds
The two players to the left of the dealer are called blinds, and place bets before the cards are dealt. There are two blinds, the player to the immediate left of the dealer is the small blind. The player to the left of the small blind is the big blind. The blinds will vary based upon the betting amounts of the room you are betting in.
The Deal
Each player is dealt two cards face down. These cards are for your eyes only, keep them hidden.
Raise, Fold or Call
The player to the left of the big blind starts the betting. This player can either raise, fold or call. At this point most players will either raise or fold. As the game progresses you can call another player by matching their last bet.
The Flop
After the first betting round, three flop cards or community cards are dealt. These cards are generally placed in the middle of the table face up. You are going to build your hand utilizing your hidden cards and the three flop cards.
The Flop Betting Round
This is the second round of betting. The player to the left of the dealer, whoever has not folded, starts off this round of betting. This player can either check or bet. If the player checks he is still in the hand but he is not placing a bet. If the player bets, the other players still in the hand must call his bet, raise his bet or fold.
The Turn
This is the fourth flop card or community card placed in the center of the table. Pay attention to the betting in this round, the other players may double or triple their bets.
The River
The fifth and final flop card or community card is referred to as the river. The player to the left of the dealer, that is still in the hand starts the betting. Once all the players have completed their betting it's showdown time.
The Showdown
All the players still in the hand show their hands. The winner takes the pot!
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This page was last updated: July 25, 2011
