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Too embarrassed to admit you don’t know how to play the most popular game in town? Dry your tears, pull up a chair to the table and pay attention. We’ll give you the lowdown before the showdown.
The Setting
As many as 10 players sit around a table. One of the players is the dealer
for the first round. Dealer responsibility moves to the left one player at
a time, after each hand (round of play).
Posting Blinds
Before any cards are dealt, the two players directly to the left of the dealer
must post "blinds" or place a bet before seeing their cards. The
player to the immediate left of the dealer button posts the "small blind,"
half of the minimum bet. In a 5/10 game, the small blind would be $2. The
player to the left of the small blind posts the "big blind," equal
to the minimum bet. In a 5/10 game, the big blind would be $5.
Pocket Cards
Once the blinds are posted, each player is dealt two cards face down, called
the "pocket" cards. Each player can see their own pocket cards.
In the first round of betting, the player immediately to the left of the big
blind starts off. Players continue to place bets in a clockwise direction
around the table.
Betting
Table stakes determine bet amounts. For example, at a 5/10 table, the minimum
bet is $5 in the first two rounds and $10 in the last two. The bet amount
can be raised a maximum of 3 times in each round of betting. In other words,
there can be one bet and three raises in each round. Players may call the
bet (match it), raise it or fold (pull out of the betting and the rest of
the hand).
The Flop
Next, three cards are dealt face up in the center of the table, also called
the board. These cards are called the "Flop." These are "community"
cards — they can be used by all the players to make up their hand. The
point of the game is to put together the best five-card hand between your
pocket cards and the cards on the board. Or at least to make the other players
think you have a great hand. After the flop, it’s time for a second
round of betting, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. All
subsequent rounds of betting start with the player to the left of the dealer.
The Turn
Next, the fourth community card called the "Turn" is dealt face
up in the center of the table. This card can be used by all players. It is
followed by a third round of betting.
The River
Finally, the fifth and final community card is dealt face up in the center
of the table. Called the "River" card, it is followed by the fourth
and final round of betting.
Showdown
This is the end of the game when everyone has to reveal their hand. Once all
betting is finished, players determine the best five-card hand that they can
make using any combination of their pocket cards and the community cards.
The player with the best hand wins the pot.
Start all over
After a hand is completed, the dealer moves one player to the left, and the
next hand begins.
