Overview of the Texas Hold’em game

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Objective:  Form the highest ranked 5 card poker hand using any combination of 2 cards in hand (hole cards or pocket cards) and 5 community cards on the table.

Alternative win:  All other players fold.

Betting Structure: 

Some games may have a starting ante imposed on all players.  An ante is a set amount of money that must be paid by all players that wish to be dealt into the hand before any cards are dealt.

Dealer - The player starting the hand, indicated by a small dealer icon next to his nickname.  The dealer icon (button) moves clockwise around the table after each hand is played.

Small blind - A forced bet imposed on the player left of the dealer.  This player will be the dealer for the next round.

Big blind - The player left of the small blind pays a forced bet twice that of the small blind.  Players joining the table will need to start with a forced blind bet.  The big blind is equal to the minimum bet for the pre-flop betting round.

Betting options:

Bet - Place a bet that other players must call to stay in the game.

Raise - Increase the current bet, other players must call your raise to stay in the game.

Call - Match another player's bet or raise.

Check - Remain in the hand without betting, only available if no other player has a placed a higher bet that round.

Fold - Withdraw from calling further bets on the hand; forfeit your chance at the pot.

Betting Limits:

Fixed Limit - Each game has a specified betting limit imposed, and a player cannot raise beyond this.

Pot Limit - A player may bet up to the current amount of money in the pot.

No Limit - There is no maximum, and you are allowed to bet your entire game wallet.

Game Progression:

  • The dealer is decided by drawing for a high card and the blind bets are paid.
  • Each player is dealt 2 cards (the "hole" or "pocket" cards), and then the first betting round begins.  As the blinds are considered to be a live bet, betting starts from the player left of the big blind.  Each player in turn must call the big blind, make a raise which must be called by the other players or fold the hand.
  • The flop, the first 3 community cards are dealt on the table, followed by a new betting round.
  • The turn, the fourth community card is dealt, followed by a new betting round.
  • The river, last community card is dealt, followed by the last betting round.
  • After all bets are called in the last betting round, the remaining players in the hand must show their cards to determine the winner.