A clear beginner’s guide to Texas Hold’em — the most popular poker game. Learn the blinds, the betting rounds, and how to win the pot.
The two players left of the dealer post the small and big blind — forced bets that start the pot. Every player is dealt two private cards (“hole cards”).
Starting left of the big blind, each player folds, calls the big blind, or raises. Betting continues until everyone still in has matched the bet.
Three community cards are dealt face up. Another betting round follows, starting with the first active player left of the dealer.
A fourth community card is dealt, followed by another betting round.
The fifth and final community card is dealt, followed by the last betting round.
If two or more players remain, they show their hands. The best five-card hand — using any combination of hole and community cards — wins the pot.
You win a pot one of two ways: by having the best five-card hand at showdown, or by betting so that everyone else folds. You don’t need the best hand every time — you need to make good decisions about when to bet, call, and fold.
Start with the hand rankings so you know what beats what, then the starting hands chart so you know what to play. When a term trips you up, the poker glossaryhas it. When you’re ready to host, Rebuy Labs runs the clock and the whole night for you.
Each player gets two private cards. Five community cards are dealt in stages (flop, turn, river), with a betting round after each. You make your best five-card hand from any combination of your two cards and the five on the board. The best hand at showdown — or the last player left after everyone else folds — wins the pot.
The blinds are two forced bets posted by the players to the dealer’s left before cards are dealt: a smaller “small blind” and a larger “big blind.” They create a pot to play for and rotate around the table each hand.
From strongest to weakest: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card. See the full hand rankings chart for examples of each.
Two ways: have the best five-card hand at showdown, or bet in a way that makes everyone else fold before showdown. You don’t need the best hand to win a pot — you need everyone else to give up, or to still be standing at the end.
The rules take about ten minutes. Playing well takes longer, but a beginner can sit down and enjoy a home game right away by knowing the hand rankings, the betting rounds, and playing tight. The strategy grows from there.
This covers standard Texas Hold’em. House rules, betting limits, and other poker variants differ. Provided for reference and education. Rules and conventions can vary by game and venue. Rebuy Labs is software for organizing and studying poker; it does not accept wagers or handle player funds. If gambling stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
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