Texas Holdum — Basic Rules
1. Ante
Every player puts a small ante into the pot before cards are dealt.
For example:
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Ante: $1
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5 players → pot starts at $5
2. The deal
Each player receives 2 cards face down — your hole cards, and nobody else may look at them.
The dealer button is the first to act, and play moves clockwise from there.
3. The blinds
Two players post automatic bets before any cards are dealt:
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Small blind — usually $1, left of the button.
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Big blind — usually $2, two seats left of the button.
These count toward the pot but do not open the betting.
If nobody is comfortable with the blinds, say so before the deal and raise them for the night.
4. Pre-flop betting
Play starts with the small blind and moves clockwise. Each player can:
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Fold — throw away your hole cards and sit out this hand.
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Call — match the big blind.
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Raise — increase the bet above the current level.
When the action comes back around to the big blind, they may check or raise.
All-in is allowed at any time. There is no limit on this table — play the hand you can afford to lose.
5. The flop
After the pre-flop betting closes, the dealer turns over 3 community cards face up in the middle of the table. This is the flop.
These cards are shared by every player still in the hand.
6. Second betting round
Play starts with the player to the left of the dealer button, and betting continues clockwise.
7. The turn
The dealer burns a card and turns over a 4th community card — the turn.
Another betting round takes place.
8. The river
The dealer burns a card and turns over the 5th and final community card — the river.
The last betting round takes place.
Once the river betting is finished the cards are locked. No raising after that.
9. Showdown
Every player still in the hand turns over their 2 hole cards.
Each player builds their best hand using any 5 cards from their 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards — they do not have to use both hole cards.
The best hand at the table wins the pot.
Hand rankings
From highest to lowest:
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Royal Flush
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Straight Flush
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Four of a Kind
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Full House
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Flush
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Straight
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Three of a Kind
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Two Pair
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One Pair
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High Card
All five community cards playing (board) is a hand all players can use — if the board makes the best hand, the pot is split.