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How to play Texas Hold'em

Also called Hold'em · Holdem poker
2–9 players

Play Texas Hold'em free

The four rounds

• Preflop — everybody has their two cards and nothing is in the middle.
• The flop — three community cards at once.
• The turn — a fourth.
• The river — the fifth and last.

The blinds are posted by the two players left of the button, which moves round after every hand so nobody carries them twice in a row.

The showdown

If more than one player is left after the river, hands are turned over and the best five cards take the pot. A hand that was never called is never shown.

When somebody is all in for less than the bet, the extra goes into a side pot they cannot win. Both pots are worked out and paid automatically.

Playing Hold'em with friends

Two to nine seats. A table can be set to tell each player what their own hand is as the board comes out, which is worth having if somebody is still learning what beats what.

Play chips only. There is no cash game here: nothing to deposit, nothing to withdraw.

The other games

• TongitsThree players, melds and discards. Empty your hand or call it.
• Pusoy (Chinese Poker)Thirteen cards split into three hands, scored row by row.
• Lucky 9Two cards, closest to nine. Ace to ten only, no face cards.
• High Card, and Truth or DareOne card each. Highest wins - or drinks.
• In-BetweenBet whether the third card falls between the first two.
• BlackjackBeat the dealer without going over 21.
• BaccaratBack the Player, the Banker, or a Tie.
• Dragon TigerOne card each side. Back the Dragon, the Tiger, or a tie.