In Texas Hold’em, each player receives two face-down cards and five community cards are gradually dealt onto the board. The aim of a hand is to win the pot: remain after everyone else folds or show the strongest five-card hand at showdown.
Preparation and forced bets
The dealer button marks a position that moves after each hand. In a standard game, the small and big blinds post forced bets before cards are dealt. Blind sizes and any antes depend on the format. Heads-up play has special positioning rules.
The stages of a hand
- 1
Preflop
Two hole cards
The first betting round.
- 2
Flop
Three community cards
The next betting round.
- 3
Turn
The fourth community card
Another betting round.
- 4
River
The fifth community card
The final betting round.
- 5
Showdown
The best five-card hand
If more than one player remains.
Available actions
Folding ends your claim to the pot. Calling matches the current bet. Checking passes the action without betting when there is nothing to call. A bet opens the wagering and a raise increases it. Permitted raise sizes depend on the betting structure and previous action.
An example of choosing five cards
A player holds A♣ K♦ on a Q♠ J♥ 10♣ 4♦ 2♠ board. Their best hand is the 10–J–Q–K–A straight. If the board already contains a royal flush in one suit, hole cards cannot improve it: everyone reaching showdown has the same best hand.
What happens when a player goes all-in
All-in means committing every available chip in the hand. It does not entitle a player to win money they have not matched. Different stack sizes can create a main pot and side pots, each with its own eligible players.
What to check before playing
- Cash game or tournament: tournament chips are not freely withdrawable cash.
- Betting limits, blinds and antes.
- Showdown order, fees and the specific venue’s rules.
Knowing the rules does not guarantee a win. Practice hands without money can help you learn the order of actions.
Rules and sources
References for checking the rules. Explanations and worked examples were prepared by the VmireCasino editorial team.
