Texas Hold'em Rules: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker game in the world. Each player gets two private cards, five shared cards are dealt to the table, and the best five-card hand wins. These are the full rules, from the blinds to the showdown.
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The goal
Win chips (the pot) either by having the best hand at showdown, or by making every other player fold. Tables usually seat 2 to 9 players; on PokerX, bots fill empty seats so you can always start.
How a hand works: step by step
1The blinds
The two players left of the dealer button post forced bets: the small blind and the big blind. The big blind is usually double the small blind. This creates a pot worth fighting for.
The two players left of the dealer button post forced bets: the small blind and the big blind. The big blind is usually double the small blind. This creates a pot worth fighting for.
2Hole cards
Every player gets two private cards face down. Starting left of the big blind, each player can fold, call or raise. This is the pre-flop betting round.
Every player gets two private cards face down. Starting left of the big blind, each player can fold, call or raise. This is the pre-flop betting round.
3The flop
Three community cards are dealt face up in the middle. Another betting round follows, starting with the first active player left of the button.
Three community cards are dealt face up in the middle. Another betting round follows, starting with the first active player left of the button.
4The turn
A fourth community card is dealt. Another betting round. Bets usually get bigger from here.
A fourth community card is dealt. Another betting round. Bets usually get bigger from here.
5The river
The fifth and final community card. The last betting round.
The fifth and final community card. The last betting round.
6Showdown
If two or more players are left, they reveal their cards. The best five-card hand wins the pot. If everyone else folds, the last player wins without showing.
If two or more players are left, they reveal their cards. The best five-card hand wins the pot. If everyone else folds, the last player wins without showing.
Your options on your turn
| Fold | Give up your hand and the chips already bet. |
| Check | Pass without betting. Only possible if nobody has bet this round. |
| Bet | Put chips in first this round. |
| Call | Match the current bet. |
| Raise | Increase the bet. Everyone else must call, re-raise or fold. |
| All in | Bet every chip you have left. |
What beats what
Your hand is the best five cards from your two hole cards and the five community cards. You may use both hole cards, one, or none. See the full poker hand rankings chart.
A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠
Best: royal flushBeats everything.
A♠A♦7♣7♥2♠
Two pair: aces and sevensBeats any single pair.
Split pots and side pots
- Split pot: if two hands are exactly equal, the pot is shared. Suits never break ties.
- Side pot: if a player goes all in for less than the others, a separate pot is made for the other players. The all-in player can only win the main pot.
Common questions about the rules
- Dealer button: moves one seat clockwise every hand.
- Minimum raise: a raise must be at least as big as the previous bet or raise.
- Table talk and etiquette: don't show your cards before showdown, act in turn and be friendly.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards do you get in Texas Hold'em?
Two private cards (hole cards) per player. Five shared community cards are dealt to the table in three stages: the flop (3), the turn (1) and the river (1).
Two private cards (hole cards) per player. Five shared community cards are dealt to the table in three stages: the flop (3), the turn (1) and the river (1).
What are the betting rounds in Texas Hold'em?
Four: pre-flop (after hole cards), flop, turn and river. Each round every player can fold, check, call or raise.
Four: pre-flop (after hole cards), flop, turn and river. Each round every player can fold, check, call or raise.
Who acts first in Texas Hold'em?
Pre-flop the player left of the big blind acts first. After the flop, the first active player left of the dealer button acts first.
Pre-flop the player left of the big blind acts first. After the flop, the first active player left of the dealer button acts first.
What is the dealer button?
A marker that shows which seat is the dealer. It moves one seat clockwise after every hand, and the two seats left of it post the blinds.
A marker that shows which seat is the dealer. It moves one seat clockwise after every hand, and the two seats left of it post the blinds.
Do you have to use both hole cards?
No. You can use both, one or none (playing the board). Your hand is the best five cards from all seven available.
No. You can use both, one or none (playing the board). Your hand is the best five cards from all seven available.
What happens if two players tie?
The pot is split equally. Suits never break ties.
The pot is split equally. Suits never break ties.
What is a side pot?
When a player goes all in for less than the others have bet, a separate side pot is created for the remaining players. The short-stacked player can only win the main pot.
When a player goes all in for less than the others have bet, a separate side pot is created for the remaining players. The short-stacked player can only win the main pot.
Is PokerX real-money gambling?
No. All chips are free play money with no cash value, and nothing can be bought or withdrawn.
No. All chips are free play money with no cash value, and nothing can be bought or withdrawn.
Ready to try it? Sit at a free table, play poker with friends in a private room, or read beginner strategy and the poker glossary.
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