Rules of Poker: Texas Hold'em
Rules of Poker: Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em is the most popular variant of poker played around the world. If you're looking to get started with poker, learning Texas Hold'em is the perfect way to begin. This guide will cover the essential rules, gameplay structure, and strategies to help you master the game.
Objective of Texas Hold'em
The main goal in Texas Hold'em is to win chips by either having the best five-card poker hand or convincing your opponents to fold their hands.
Gameplay Overview
The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and typically involves 2 to 10 players. Each player is dealt two private cards (hole cards), and five community cards are dealt face-up on the table.
Betting Rounds
- Pre-Flop: Players receive two hole cards and place initial bets.
- Flop: Three community cards are revealed.
- Turn: A fourth community card is dealt.
- River: A fifth and final community card is shown.
- Showdown: Remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
Hand Rankings
Here are the standard poker hand rankings from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Basic Strategy Tips
- Start with strong hole cards like high pairs or suited connectors.
- Pay attention to position — acting later gives more information.
- Bluff wisely, and only when it supports your table image.
Now that you know the rules, it's time to shuffle up and deal. Good luck at the tables!
