There are many different types of poker, although they all follow the same principles. By far the most popular version of poker is Texas Hold 'Em - the game you will also see dominating the televised poker tournaments.
The Rules of Texas Hold 'Em
The sequence of play in Texas Hold 'Em may seem a little complicated to the beginner, but is usually picked up fairly quickly.
The essential features of Hold 'Em are:
You start each hand with 2 "hole cards" dealt face down. These are your personal cards - no one else can use them.
By the end of the hand there will also be five communal cards dealt face up in the middle of the table. Your hand is the best five-card poker hand you can make out of the 2 cards in your hand and the 5 communal cards on the table.
Here is the sequence of play in detail:
- Blinds are posted
- The player on the dealer's left must place a bet known as the small blind (e.g. 1 chip). The player to his left places a bet known as the Big Blind (e.g. 2 chips). They are "blind" bets because they must be placed before either player has seen their cards.
- Each player is dealt 2 hole cards
- These "hole" cards are dealt to each player face down. Each player looks at their cards but will not of course show them to anyone else! Your hole cards are your personal cards - only you can use them as part of your hand.
- First betting round
- Starting with the player to the left of the Big Blind, each player takes it in turn to act (see "Betting Rounds").
- The Flop is dealt
- Three communal cards are dealt face up in the centre of the table. These three cards are known as "the flop."
- Second betting round
- In this and all subsequent betting rounds, the player to the left of the dealer is always first to act.
- The Turn card is dealt
- A fourth communal card is dealt face up in the centre of the table. This card is known as "the turn."
- Third betting round
- The River card is dealt
- A fifth communal card is dealt face up in the centre of the table. This card is known as "the river."
- Fourth and final betting round
- The showdown
- All players remaining in the hand show their hands and the best hand wins. Your hand will consist of the best five-card poker hand that you can make out of the 2 hole cards in your hand and the communal cards in the centre of the table (known as "the board").
