Texas Hold’em
The game is played by up to ten players plus a virtual dealer. The dealer button travels clockwise by one player before each round. The actual dealing is done by a virtual dealer. The small blind is placed by the player on the immediate left of the dealer and the big blind by the player on their left. The blinds ensure bets within each round which in turn encourages players to enter the hand. They also guarantee winnings from every round. Each round begins with the blinds. Following this, every player receives two cards face down known as “pocket” cards. The game then progresses as follows: The player to the left of the big blind starts the betting, it continues clockwise around the table. Players may fold, check, call or raise. A raise must be equal to the lower table stake (for example £5 in a £5/£10 game). Different raising rules are used in Pot Limit and No Limit games. These are three cards dealt face up to the table after the first betting round. Flop cards can be used by any player and are therefore known as “community” cards. This is identical to the first. A fourth “community” card dealt after the second betting round. Like the previous two except that a raise must be equal to the high table stake (for example £10 in a £5/£10 game). The final “community” card dealt before the final betting round. This is identical to the third. Each player determines their best hand using both their pocket cards and the “community” cards. The best five-card hand wins the pot. If the best hand consists of only “community” cards, the pot is divided between all players in the showdown. There is the option to “Muck”; this is choosing not to “Show” your cards (reveal your cards to the other players) if you have lost the round. After each round the dealer button moves to the left and the next begins. The Dealer Button
The Blinds
Game Sequence
First betting round
The Flop Cards
Second betting round
The Turn Card
Third betting round
The River Card
Fourth betting round
Showdown
