What is Texas Hold'em?
Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker variant in the world, played in casinos, online, and home games. It's the game featured in the World Series of Poker and requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck.
🎯 Objective
Win chips by having the best poker hand or by forcing all opponents to fold.
👥 Players
2-10 players can play, but 6-8 players is ideal for most games.
🎴 Cards
Standard 52-card deck. Each player gets 2 private cards (hole cards).
💰 Betting
Multiple betting rounds with blinds, raises, and re-raises.
How to Play Texas Hold'em
1. Pre-Flop
Each player receives 2 hole cards face down. The player to the left of the big blind acts first. Players can fold, call, or raise.
Your secret cards
2. The Flop
Three community cards are dealt face up in the center. Another betting round begins.
The flop
3. The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt. Another betting round follows.
The turn
4. The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt. Final betting round.
The river
5. Showdown
If more than one player remains, players reveal their hands. Best 5-card poker hand wins the pot.
Texas Hold'em Betting Rules
Blinds
Small Blind and Big Blind are forced bets that start each hand. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind.
Betting Actions
- Fold: Discard your hand and lose any chips you've put in
- Call: Match the current bet to stay in the hand
- Raise: Increase the bet amount
- Check: Pass the action to the next player (only when no bet has been made)
Betting Rounds
Each betting round continues until all players either call the highest bet or fold. The action moves clockwise around the table.
Position in Texas Hold'em
Position refers to where you sit relative to the dealer button. Better position gives you more information about your opponents' actions.
Early Position
Act first pre-flop. Play tight - only premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK.
Middle Position
More hands playable. Can steal blinds occasionally.
Late Position (Cutoff/Button)
Best position! Can play more hands and steal blinds frequently.
Blinds
Act last pre-flop. Defend against steals, but play carefully.
Texas Hold'em Strategy Tips for Beginners
🎯 Starting Hands
Focus on premium hands early in your poker journey. Pocket aces, kings, queens, and ace-king suited are your friends.
💰 Bankroll Management
Never risk more than you can afford to lose. Set a budget and stick to it.
🧠 Reading Opponents
Pay attention to betting patterns, timing, and tells. Put opponents on ranges of hands.
📊 Pot Odds
Calculate whether a call is mathematically correct by comparing the pot size to the bet.
🎭 Table Image
Build a table image through your play. Sometimes bluff, sometimes show strong hands.
😴 Tilt Control
Don't play when emotional. Take breaks when you feel frustrated or angry.
Ready to Practice Texas Hold'em?
Try our interactive poker tools and learn while you play!