Poker is a family of cards games of which No Limit Texas Hold'em is by far the most popular kid. After going through the rules we encourage you to play with refillable Play Points on CardsKhelo to master the basics of the game. It is easy, fun and free.

No Limit Texas Hold'em

At the start of the Texas Holdem poker game, the Dealer shuffles a standard 52-card deck. In casinos and card-rooms, the Dealer does not play. However, when there is a shortage of Dealers or in home games, games may be self-dealt. In self-dealt games, the deal changes each hand in a clockwise direction. In games with a Dealer, a round disc called the "Dealer Button" moves clockwise from player to player with each hand. The Button marks which player would be the dealer if the game was self-dealt.


The Blinds

Games begin with the two players to the left of the Dealer (The Button) putting a predetermined amount of money (the Blinds) into the pot before any cards are dealt, In tournaments these amounts are increased in a time pattern in order to ensure the elimination of players. The Small Blind (the player on the immediate left of the dealer) puts up half the minimum bet. The next player (the Big Blind) puts up the full minimum bet. This is called "posting the blinds."


The Deal

In Texas Hold'em, each poker player is dealt two cards (known as "hole cards") that belong only to that player. Five community cards are eventually dealt face-up forming the "board". All players in the game use these cards in conjunction with their own hole cards mentally to make the best possible five-card poker hand. To view the rankings of poker hands, visit our poker hand ranks page.


First Round of Betting

This takes place immediately after the Deal. The first player to speak is the player to the left of the Big Blind. The First to speak (on the immediate left of the Big Blind) has three options: Call, Raise or Fold.
To Call, the player places a bet that is equal to the Big Blind.
To Raise, the player adds an additional amount. The players may bet or raise any amount over the 'minimum raise' up to 'all of the chips the player has at the table' (called an all-in bet). The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round.
To Fold, the player places his cards face-down in front of him and pushes them towards the middle of the table where they constitute the Muck. When any card touches the Muck it is deemed to have been folded. That player can take no further part in the hand and any bets he has made are forfeit.


The Flop

After the first betting round, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called Burning, and is done to ensure that no one accidentally saw the top card, and to help prevent cheating. The dealer then places the next three cards face up on the table. These cards are called the Flop. Now three cards are dealt face-up on the board - this is known as the FLOP. In Texas Hold'em, the three cards on the flop are community cards available to all players still in the hand. The second round of betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise of the button.


Second Betting Round

This round and all subsequent betting rounds start with the first player to the dealer's left still in the hand. The first player has the option to FOLD, BET, or CHECK. Minimum bet is equal to the Big Blind. To check mean that you stay in the hand without betting until it is your turn to act again and then decide what you want to do. (If everybody checks the next card is dealt.).Obviously you can only check if no one before you has made any bet. If a player has made a bet, the other players can choose to fold, raise, or call. When all the remaining players have contributed an equal amount of money to the pot it is time for the next card.


The Turn

After the completion of the Second Betting Round, a further card is Burned and the next card exposed and added to the Board. This is the Turn card. This is followed by a third round of betting. Play begins with the active player immediately clockwise of the button.


The River

After the completion of the Third Betting Round, a further card is 'Burned' and the fifth and final community card is exposed and added to the Board. This is the River card. The fourth and final betting round begins with the active player immediately clockwise the button and the same betting rules apply as before.


The Showdown

If there is more than one remaining poker player when the final betting round is complete playing Texas Hold'em, the last bettor or raiser shows his or her cards. If there was no bet on the final round, the player immediately clockwise the button shows his or her cards first. The player with the best five-card hand wins the Texas Hold'em pot. In the event of identical hands, the poker pot is equally divided between the players with the best hands.


Heads Up Play

When only two players remain, special 'head-to-head' or 'heads up' rules are enforced and the blinds are posted differently. In this case, the person with the dealer button posts the small blind, while his/her opponent places the big blind. The dealer acts first before the flop. After the flop, the dealer acts last for the remainder of the hand.