Texas Hold 'Em Rules
In Texas Hold 'Em, each player is given 7 cards total, from which the best 5-card hand is made. The twist is that 5 of these 7 cards are "community cards" shared by all players. In other words, there are only 2 cards that differentiate your hand from everyone else's. When a hand of play begins, each player is dealt two cards, which nobody else can see. After a round of betting, the first three community cards (also known as the "flop") are dealt to the middle of the table and are visible to everyone. After another round of betting, one more community card is dealt (the "turn"). Another round of betting occurs, and then the final community card, the "river", is dealt. There is a final round of betting and then a showdown occurs between the remaining players for the best 5-card hand.
Hand Rankings (from best to worst)
Straight Flush (5 sequential cards, all of the same suit)
Four-of-a-Kind (4 cards of the same rank)
Full House (Three-of-a-Kind, plus a Pair)
Flush (5 cards of the same suit)
Straight (5 sequential cards)
Three-of-a-Kind (3 cards of the same rank)
Two Pair (2 pairs of same-ranked cards)
Pair (2 cards of the same rank)
High Card
Two important notes:
• The rank of your cards gives a relative standing within the major rankings above. For example, a Two Pair consisting of Kings and Jacks beats Kings and 4s. Also, a Flush consisting of an Ace, Queen, 10, 8, 4 of diamonds beats an Ace, Queen, 10, 6, 4 of diamonds. (AQT84 vs. AQT64)
• Your hand will ALWAYS be 5 cards, so very often, the cards that complete the hand (known as "kickers") will determine the winner. For example, a Three-of-a-Kind of three 8s, with an Ace and a Jack, will beat three 8s with an Ace and a 9. (888AJ vs. 888A9)
In No-Limit Hold 'Em, you can bet any amount at any time, up to your entire stack of chips. At the start of a hand, the players to the left of the dealer button will be "small blind" and "big blind", which are forced bets that others must call in order to continue with the hand. All bets throughout the hand must be in increments of the small blind.