Texas Hold'em Rules — How to Play the World's Most Popular Poker Game

Game Setup

Texas Hold'em is played with a standard 52-card deck. A game can have between 2 and 10 players at a single table. Before any cards are dealt, three things must be in place:

1. The Dealer Button: A round disc marked "D" or "DEALER" sits in front of one player. This button rotates clockwise after every hand and determines the order of action. The player on the button acts last on every postflop betting round — the most advantageous position.
2. The Small Blind: The player immediately to the left of the dealer button posts the small blind — a forced bet that's typically half the minimum bet. In a $1/$2 game, the small blind is $1.
3. The Big Blind: The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind — a forced bet equal to the minimum bet. In a $1/$2 game, the big blind is $2. The big blind sets the minimum amount that must be called or raised during the preflop betting round.

The blinds exist to create action. Without them, players could simply wait for premium hands and never risk any chips. The rotating dealer button ensures that everyone pays their fair share of blinds over time.

In tournament poker, blinds increase at set intervals (e.g., every 15-20 minutes), forcing players to take action as the game progresses. An ante — an additional small forced bet from every player — is sometimes added in later stages of tournaments to increase the pace of play.

The 4 Betting Rounds

A Texas Hold'em hand consists of four distinct betting rounds. After each round, if more than one player remains, the hand continues to the next round. If all players but one fold at any point, the remaining player wins the pot immediately.

Showdown Rules

The showdown occurs when two or more players remain after the final betting round. Here are the rules that govern the showdown:

• Who shows first: The last player to bet or raise on the river must show their hand first. If everyone checked on the river, the first active player to the left of the dealer shows first.
• Best five cards win: Each player makes the best possible five-card hand from the seven available cards (two hole cards + five community cards). You can use both hole cards, one hole card, or even neither (playing the board).
• Mucking: If you see that your opponent's hand beats yours, you can "muck" (fold without showing) your cards. You forfeit the pot but keep your hand private. However, at many casinos, any player at the table can request to see a mucked hand at showdown.
• Split pots: If two or more players have identically ranked hands using the best five cards, the pot is divided equally. Suits never break ties in standard poker.

Side Pots Explained

Side pots can be confusing for beginners, but the concept is straightforward. A side pot is created when a player goes all-in for less than the current bet. Here's how it works:

Example: Player A has $50, Player B has $120, and Player C has $200. Player A goes all-in for $50. Player B calls $50 and raises to $120. Player C calls $120.

• Main pot: $50 × 3 = $150. All three players are eligible to win this pot.
• Side pot: ($120 − $50) × 2 = $140. Only Player B and Player C can win this pot.

If Player A has the best hand, they win the main pot ($150) but not the side pot ($140). The side pot goes to whichever remaining player (B or C) has the better hand. This system ensures that a player can never lose more than they started with, while still allowing the other players to compete for the remaining chips.

Table Etiquette

Whether you're playing live or online, following proper etiquette makes the game more enjoyable for everyone:

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Awareness of these common pitfalls will save you chips and accelerate your learning:

1. Playing too many hands. The #1 beginner mistake. You should be folding the majority of your starting hands, especially from early position. Quality over quantity. See our Starting Hand Guide for which hands to play.
2. Calling too much, raising too little. Beginners tend to call when they should raise and check when they should bet. If your hand is good enough to call, ask yourself: should I raise instead? Raising gives you two ways to win (opponents fold, or you have the best hand), while calling only gives you one.
3. Ignoring position. Playing the same hands from every position is a major leak. The same hand that's a fold from UTG can be a raise from the button. Learn more in our Positions Guide.
4. Not paying attention to opponents. Poker is a game of information. Even when you're not in a hand, watch how other players bet. Do they always bet big with strong hands? Do they check-raise often? This information is valuable when you eventually play a hand against them.
5. Playing above your bankroll. Playing at stakes where you can't afford to lose leads to scared, defensive play. Start at the lowest stakes and only move up when you're consistently winning.
6. Tilting after a bad beat. Losing a hand where you were a heavy favorite ("bad beat") is frustrating, but it's a normal part of poker. If you find yourself playing angry or reckless, take a break. The games will still be there when you come back with a clear head.

Frequently Asked Questions