Quick Reference
How to Play Texas Hold'em — Rules & Cheat Sheet
Texas Hold'em is the world's most popular poker variant. Each player gets 2 private cards, shares 5 community cards, and aims to make the best 5-card hand — or bluff their way to the pot.
The Basics
The Deck
Full 52-card deck, no jokers.
- • Each player gets 2 hole cards
- • Up to 5 community cards shared
- • Best 5-card hand wins
Players
- • Everyone plays for themselves
- • Dealer button rotates each hand
- • Blinds create forced action
Objective
- • Best hand at showdown
- • OR make all opponents fold
- • Accumulate chips to survive
Hand Rankings (Best → Worst)
| # | Hand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-10 same suit |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 5 consecutive, same suit |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | All four of one rank |
| 4 | Full House | Three of a kind + pair |
| 5 | Flush | 5 cards, same suit |
| 6 | Straight | 5 consecutive ranks |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | Three of one rank |
| 8 | Two Pair | Two different pairs |
| 9 | Pair | Two of one rank |
| 10 | High Card | No combination made |
Ties broken by highest card(s). Suits are never used to break ties in Texas Hold'em.
Setup & Blinds
The Dealer Button
A rotating disc marks the dealer (Button). The button moves clockwise after each hand — so everyone takes turns being dealer, small blind, and big blind.
Blinds
- • Small Blind (SB) — left of button, posts half the minimum bet
- • Big Blind (BB) — two left of button, posts the full minimum bet
- • Blinds are forced bets that seed the pot before cards are dealt
The Deal
- • Each player receives 2 hole cards face-down
- • Dealt one at a time, starting left of dealer
- • Keep hole cards private until showdown
The Four Betting Rounds
Preflop
Hole cards dealt. Betting starts left of BB and goes clockwise. BB acts last and may raise even if others only called.
The Flop
3 community cards dealt face-up. Betting starts left of dealer. Remaining players have 5 cards to work with (2 hole + 3 board).
The Turn
4th community card dealt. Another betting round. 6 cards available (2 hole + 4 board). Stakes often double in limit games.
The River
5th and final community card. Last betting round. If two or more players remain, they go to showdown — best hand wins.
Betting Options
Fold
Discard your hand and forfeit the round. You lose any chips you've already put in, but risk no more.
Check
Pass the action to the next player without betting. Only available when no bet has been made in the current round.
Call
Match the current bet to stay in the hand. You put in exactly what the previous bettor bet.
Bet / Raise
Bet is the first wager in a round. A Raise increases a previous bet. Others must call, re-raise, or fold.
All-In
Push all your remaining chips into the pot. You can't be forced out of the hand, but can only win up to the amount you matched from each player.
Showdown
After the river betting, remaining players reveal cards. Best 5-card hand using any combination of hole + community cards wins.
Position
Early Position (worst)
Small Blind, Big Blind, UTG (under the gun)
You act first with no info about what others will do. Play tighter — only strong hands.
Middle Position
Seats between early and late
Some info from early-position players. A wider range of playable hands than early position.
Late Position (best)
Cutoff (CO) and Dealer Button
Act last — you see everyone else's action first. Play wider; steal blinds with weaker hands.
Starting Hand Guide
Premium Hands — Play from anywhere
A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J, A-K (suited)
Raise or re-raise before the flop. These hands have strong equity against most ranges.
Strong Hands — Play most positions
10-10, 9-9, A-Q, A-J, K-Q (suited)
Usually raise from middle/late position. Be cautious facing heavy action early.
Speculative Hands — Late position only
Small pairs, suited connectors (7-8s, 6-7s)
Low starting value but can make sets, straights, or flushes. Good with many players in the pot.
Hands to Avoid
7-2, 8-3, 9-2 offsuit
No pair, no connection, no suit. Fold preflop in almost all situations.
Strategy Tips
Play Tight from Early Position
When you act first, many players are left to act behind you. Stick to premium hands and avoid marginal calls.
Use Position
Acting last is a massive advantage. In late position you can steal blinds, bluff more efficiently, and get better value from strong hands.
Read the Board
After the flop, ask: what strong hands does this board enable? A board of 9♥-8♥-7♣ is "wet" — many straights and flush draws exist.
Manage Your Stack
Don't risk your whole stack without a very strong hand or clear read. Surviving to the next hand is better than gambling without edge.
Key Terms
- Hole Cards
- The 2 private cards dealt face-down to each player.
- Community Cards
- The 5 shared cards dealt face-up in the center.
- The Flop / Turn / River
- 3rd round board reveals: 3 cards / 1 card / 1 card.
- Pot
- All chips bet in the current hand; the winner takes it all.
- Button / Dealer
- The rotating position that acts last post-flop — the best seat.
- Blinds
- Forced bets from the two players left of the button.
- Bluff
- Betting or raising with a weak hand to make opponents fold.
- Outs
- Cards that would complete your hand (e.g., 9 outs for a flush draw).
- Kicker
- Side card used to break ties between equally ranked hands.
- Showdown
- Revealing hands after the final bet to determine the winner.
Continue Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards does each player get in Texas Hold'em?
Each player receives 2 private 'hole cards' face-down. Up to 5 community cards are then dealt face-up in the middle — 3 on the flop, 1 on the turn, and 1 on the river.
What is the best hand in Texas Hold'em?
The Royal Flush (A-K-Q-J-10 all in the same suit) is the best possible hand. It's an unbeatable straight flush using the top five cards.
What is the difference between a blind and an ante?
Blinds are forced bets by only two players (small blind and big blind) that rotate each hand. Antes are forced bets placed by every player before the deal. Most cash games use blinds; some tournaments add antes.
What does 'position' mean in poker?
Position refers to where you sit relative to the dealer button. Acting last (like the dealer or 'button') is the strongest position — you see what everyone else does before deciding. Early positions (small blind, big blind, UTG) are the hardest because you act with no information.
When should I fold?
Fold when your hand is weak and unlikely to improve, especially facing a large bet. Common folds: low unconnected offsuit cards (7-2, 8-3), facing a raise in early position with a marginal hand, or when the community cards clearly make hands that beat yours very likely.
How does the showdown work?
After the final betting round on the river, remaining players reveal their cards. The player who makes the best 5-card hand using any combination of their 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards wins the pot.
Can I use both, one, or none of my hole cards?
In Texas Hold'em you may use both hole cards, just one, or even none ('playing the board') — whichever combination makes your best 5-card hand using exactly 5 cards total.