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In Texas Hold’em there are 2 – 10 players at a table. Position, (where a player is sitting relative to the dealer button) is an essential part of this game because the order in which a player can act (bet, raise, call, fold) is fixed. At any given round, a player is the dealer (player with the button). This is the best position to be in because this player will always act last after the first round. To the left of this player is the small blind. This player has to place an initial bet before the start of any round. To the left of this person is the big blind, he too has to place an initial bet. The blind bets are determined based on what type of game is being played. For example, tournaments will have situations where the blinds will increase after a set time has passed.

After the button is given to the appropriate player and the blinds have posted their set bets, two hole cards are dealt to each player starting with the person to the left of the button.

After the two hole cards are dealt, players starting from the person who is on the left side of the big blind gets to act first. This player (and all other players) has the choice to either call the big blind, fold, or raise. The order the players get to act follow in a clockwise motion. After all the players have made their choice, the big blind will actually have a choice of checking if his initial posted bet was not raised.

When all players have acted, what comes next is three community cards called the flop. These cards are faced up and placed on the table. These cards are used by all players to make the best possible five card hand. After the flop hits the board, the players again go around with the opportunity to check (make no further bet), bet the minimum, raise, or fold. The player to the left of the button acts first. Then the order continues in a clockwise order.

After the flop turn has concluded comes the 4th card or the “turn.” When this card lands, players again get to act starting from the person left of the button again. When this round finishes, the fifth community card that is dealt is also known as the river. When this card hits the table, one more round of action occurs and if there are players still remaining, there is a “showdown”.

In Texas Hold’em a winner is a player who has the best five card poker hand at the “showdown” or the player who forces all his opponents to fold based on betting. Similar to most poker variants, Texas Hold’em has the main objective of collecting as many pots as possible. In cash games, there are 2 – 10 players involved. In Texas Hold’em tournaments, multiple tables of 2- 10 players are allowed.