Texas Hold'em Basics: Rules, Betting Rounds & Your First Session

Texas Hold'em is the most widely played poker variant in the world and the one every online room builds around. If you learn one game, learn this one.

The goal

Each player is dealt two private cards (your "hole cards"). Five community cards are dealt face up in the middle. You make your best five-card hand using any combination of your two cards and the five shared cards. Win by having the best hand at showdown — or by betting so that everyone else folds.

The betting rounds

1. Pre-flop: After the two blinds are posted, everyone gets their hole cards and the first betting round happens.
2. The flop: Three community cards are dealt. Another betting round.
3. The turn: A fourth community card. Betting round.
4. The river: The fifth and final community card. Final betting round.
5. Showdown: Remaining players reveal hands; best five-card hand wins.

Blinds and position

Two players post forced bets each hand — the small blind and big blind — to seed the pot. Position rotates clockwise. Acting last (on the "button") is a huge advantage because you see what everyone does before you decide. We cover this in depth in our position guide.

Your betting options

On your turn you can fold (give up the hand), check (pass, if no bet is in front of you), call (match the current bet), bet or raise (put in more).

Five starting-hand rules for beginners

• Play fewer hands than you want to. Tight is right when you're learning.
• Premium hands (AA, KK, QQ, AK) can be raised from any position.
• Play more hands in late position, far fewer from the blinds and early seats.
• Avoid weak offsuit hands like J-4 or Q-7 — they make second-best hands that cost you money.
• When in doubt, fold. Folding is free; calling to "see what happens" is not.