Texas Hold'em

Game Description

Texas Hold'em is also referred to simply as Poker due to it being one of the most popular poker games ever created. The game consists of players combining their two card hand and the five card river to try and create the best poker hand. Refer to the guide above for poker hand hierarchy.

How to Play

The Deal

Each player is dealt two private cards (known as "hole cards") face down. These are for that player’s eyes only.

The Betting Rounds & Community Cards

There are four betting rounds and five shared community cards that everyone can use to make their best five-card hand:

• Pre-Flop: After players get their hole cards, a round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
• Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up. Another round of betting starts.
• Turn: A fourth community card is dealt face up. Another round of betting follows.
• River: A fifth and final community card is dealt face up. One final round of betting.

The Showdown

After the last betting round, any remaining players reveal their cards. The player who makes the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards wins the pot. If two or more players have the same hand, the pot is split.

Important Notes!

• Best Five Cards Only: Even if you have strong hole cards, your final hand must be made up of the best five cards, combining hole and community cards.
• Blinds: The game uses a small blind and big blind to start the action and build the pot. These rotate clockwise after each hand.
• All-In & Side Pots: If a player bets all their chips ("goes all-in") and other players continue betting, a side pot is created for the extra bets.
• Ties: If players have identical five-card hands, the pot is split evenly. Suits do not break ties.

Common Game Variations

• Run it Twice

When all-in players agree to deal two sets of remaining community cards (turn and river). The pot is then split between the winner of each runout. This helps reduce variance in big pots.

• Wild Cards!

Sometimes used it home games, players signify wild cards before betting, with "Deuces Wild" (2s) a popular variation.

• The 2-7 Rule (Deuce-Seven Rule)

If a player wins a hand with 7-2 as their hole cards, they win a bonus pot or cash reward, in addition to the normal pot. Players agree on an amount before playing of how much 2-7 winners receive.