Texas Holdem

The following should act as helpful guidelines to playing Texas Holdem online in most online Poker rooms, and guide you through the general course of the game.

1. “Blinds” are the mandatory bets of the 2 players left of the dealer, and are used instead of antes. The 1st player, who always sits directly left of the dealer, places a “small blind”, which is equal to half the minimum bet. The 2nd player places a “big blind”, which is the lowest betting amount. The blinds are the only players who have money in the pot before the cards are dealt.
2. The “button” symbol represents the theoretical dealer. It moves around the table in a clockwise direction to show which player will act as dealer for each round.
3. The button deals two cards to every player face down, beginning with the 1st player. These are called “hole cards” or “pocket cards”. Once all cards are dealt, the big blind must decide whether to call, fold, or raise, and each following player is presented with the same options, until all bets are called and the big blind checks.
4. “The flop” is the second betting round, beginning with 3 community cards laid at the table center. Community cards are available to all players to make a winning 5 card hand. Once dealt, betting resumes as in the first round.
5. “The Turn” is the third betting round, in which a 4th community card is dealt and a new round of betting follows. In this round, cards begin to be dealt face up.
6. “The River” is the 4th betting round, in which a 5th community card is laid on the table, and the last round of betting takes place.
7. “The Showdown” is the revealing of all player’s cards once the River is completed. The last player to have bet or raised will show his/her hand first. All following player’s hands are automatically revealed in a clockwise direction, so long as they are stronger. If their hands are weaker, players can “muck” – fold without showing their hand. The player with the best hand wins the pot.
8. Once the winner is declared, the button moves one player clockwise to indicate the new dealer, and a new round of betting begins