Texas Holdem winning hands

Get an easy to follow beginners guide to Texas Holdem poker. Winning card combinations and betting rules explained to get you one step ahead of the game!

Texas Holdem is probably the most popular variation of the game of poker and a basic general knowledge of the rules of play will give any beginner a head start. Play begins with the first player to the left of the dealer button placing a big blind and the second placing a small blind bet (called blind as the bet is placed prior to any cards being dealt). The cards are then dealt face down and the player left of the big blind begins the betting procedure. Play continues clockwise round the table until each player has had a chance to call (they must match the amount of the big blind), raise (they increase the bet) or fold (they return their cards to the dealer and take no further part in the game). In subsequent rounds players can also check, when they place a zero bet but still stay in the game.

As players place their bets on the strength of their hand, knowing the hand rankings is essential:

• Royal Flush: The best possible hand in Texas Holdem - Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, all in the same suit
• Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit and in sequential order - Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five
• Four of a Kind. Any four numerically matching cards. E.g. all four sevens
• Full House: Three of a kind and a pair in the same hand. E.g. three aces and two queens
• Flush: Five cards of the same suit, in any order. E.g. two of diamonds, five of diamonds, seven of diamonds, queen of diamonds and ace of diamonds
• Straight: Five cards of any suit, in sequential order. E.g. four of spades, five of diamonds, six of hearts, seven of clubs, eight of spades
• Three of a kind: Any three numerically matching cards. E.g. three queens
• Two pair: Two different pairs. E.g. two aces and two queens
• Pair: Any two numerically matching cards. E.g. two kings
• High card: The highest-ranking card in your hand, with ace being the highest and two the lowest.

The game ends when five community cards in total have been dealt (face up) and a final round of betting takes place. Players must then show their hands, and player with the strongest hand available wins the pot. If at any time during betting all players but one fold, this player wins without having to show their cards.