Learn Poker Rules & How to Play Texas Holdem

At the start of Texas Holdem poker, each player is dealt two cards face down (these are called ‘pocket cards’ or ‘hole cards'). Then, in the subsequent rounds, five more cards are turned up on the table. These cards are called ‘community cards’. Every player can combine these cards with their two-hole cards to make their best five-card poker hand. The first three cards are known as the “flop”; the 4th card called the “turn” and the 5th and final community card is the “river.”

The Poker game begin in a clockwise direction around the table. Before dealing any poker cards, players must know who owns the ‘button’ (referred to as dealer). This button is used to identify where action should start from each point of the hand and which players have to post the small blind and big blind. Generally, the players to the left of the dealer are required to post a small blind and the player to the left of him must post a big blind to initiate the betting. The small blind is generally half the amount of the big blind.

The poker card games players have following options when it is their turn to act:

At Texas Holdem Poker, actions occur on multiple street: Preflop, Flop, Turn, The River and The Shadow. Here is an explanation of the game:

After the blinds are posted, the first betting round takes place after two-hole cards were dealt to each player. The action starting with the player to the left of big blind. This position usually referred to as “under the gun” or “UTG”. This position can either call the size of the final bet, or raise, or fold according to their wishes.

After Preflop betting actions are completed, three community cards are dealt turned up in the center of the table (this referred to as the “flop”). A second betting round is conducted starting with the player to the left of the button (dealer). The players can have the options to check or bet. Once a bet has been made, every player can either call, fold, or raise as they wish.

After Flop betting actions are completed, the following fourth community card is then placed face up in the center of the table (this referred to as the “turn” or “Fourth Street”). This round of betting is similar to the previous round. The players also have the options to bet, call, fold, raise or check as they wish.

The fifth and final community card (referred to as “the river” or “Fifth Street”) is now dealt turned up. All cards (two-hole cards and five community cards) have been dealt. A fifth betting round is conducted starting with “under the gun”.

After all betting rounds are completed, the Showdown is reached. The remaining active players need to determine the strength of their poker hand. The players are able to use any combination of their two-hole cards and the five community cards on the table to form the best five-card poker hand possible. When hole cards are revealed, the player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot according to traditional poker hand rankings.

A player who understand those poker rules can play any types of poker online games with ease. After reading through the following list you will have a basic understanding of different poker hand rankings and which is the best poker hand. Generally, you are looking to make the best five-cards poker hand.

Let’s take a look to the following list of Poker Hand rank from Highest to Lowest:

As mentioned before, poker card games can be played in different formats. Below are the 5 different types of poker games you need to know:

Now you know the poker rules and how to play Poker Online Games. What’s stopping you? Let’s enjoy your Texas Holdem Poker Free Game today!