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Texas Hold'em Rules

Texas Hold'em is a popular variation of poker played. Each player is dealt two private cards, and the goal is to make the best five-card hand by combining them with five community cards revealed in stages during the game

 

Objective: The goal of Texas Hold'em is to have the best hand at the table and win chips or money from other players

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Setup:

  1. Typically played with 2 to 10 players.

  2. Use a standard 52-card deck

  3. Decide on the initial dealer. This can be done by drawing cards, with the player receiving the highest card becoming the first dealer. The dealer rotates clockwise in subsequent rounds.

  4. Two players to the left of the dealer are the small blind (immediate left of dealer)) and big blind (immediate left of small blind). These players are forced to bet to start the round of the game and will rotate clockwise in subsequent rounds. Forced bets amount by small blind and big blind should be agreed upon beforehand. Big blind's bet is typically the double the amount of the small blind.

  5. Players may call (match the current bet), raise (increase the bet), check (option is only available if the player does not need to call or raise, the turn will move on to the next player) or fold (discard their hand without revealing their hand) during their turn in a round

  6. Winner of a round is determined by having the highest valid combination or if everyone else folds. Valid combinations are listed below from weakest to strongest (Suits don't matter):

    1. Single card (High card) - Weakest

    2. Pairs

    3. Three-of-a-kind

    4. Straights (sequences of at least five cards)

    5. Flushes (five cards of the same suit)

    6. Full-house (three-of-a-kind and a pair)

    7. Straight flush (five cards of the same suit and in sequence) - Strongest

    • If competing players have same valid combination, to determine the winner, you must look at who has the higher combination and then high card as the tie-breaker

    • Card strength order is: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8 ,7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2​

  7. Players can use strategy, bluffing, and reading opponents to make decisions throughout the game. Texas Hold'em involves both skill and luck, making it a dynamic and engaging poker variant

Instructions

Step 1

Each player is initially dealt two private cards, known as "hole cards," that belong to them alone. Big Blind and Small Blind must also put in their initial forced bets to the pot (the middle of the table where people put bets in) as the hands are dealt

Step 2

Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, each player has the option to call (match the big blind), raise (increase the bet), or fold (discard their hand and exit the round). If a player raises, every players must either match the bet or raise and this continues for one round

 

Raises must be at least equal to the amount of the previous bet or raise. For example, if an opponent bets $10, a player must raise by at least another $10, and they may not raise by only $3. However, folks may adjust the rules here to suit house rules

Step 3

Three community cards, known as "the flop," are dealt face-up in the center of the table after the first round of checks, raises, and/or folds

Step 4

Another round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer. This player now may either check, raise, or fold

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If all players checks, this results in step 5 (see below). However, if a player raises, every player must either call or re-raise in order to stay in the game, even the ones that have checked already. Betting goes for one round before moving on to step 5

Step 5

A fourth community card, known as "the turn," is dealt face-up alongside the flop

Step 6

Another round of betting takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer again. This player now may either check, raise, or fold

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If all active players checks, this results in step 7 (see below). However, if a player raises, every player must either call or re-raise in order to stay in the game, even the ones that have checked already.

Betting goes on for one round before moving on to step 7

Step 7

A fifth and final community card, known as "the river," is dealt face-up alongside the turn

Step 8

A final round of betting occurs, starting with the player to the left of the dealer again. This player now may either check, raise, or fold

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All active players may check and this results in step 9 (see below) However, if a player raises, every player must either call or re-raise in order to stay in the game, even the ones that have checked already

Step 9

If there are two or more players remaining after the final betting round, a showdown occurs. Players reveal their hole cards, and the best five-card hand is determined using the player's two hole cards and the five community cards.

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Usually the first player to show their hand is left of the dealer, following players may choose to decide to show or not show their hand. If they choose to not show their hand, this indicates this player's hand is automatically not as strong as the shown hand, forfeiting their chance of winning the pot

Step 10

The player with the best hand wins the pot. See above in setup section for hand strengths

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A player may win a round any time (before "the river), whenever he/she is the last one standing during the round

Step 11

The dealer position rotates clockwise, and a new round begins

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The game can continue until everyone except one is out of chips or folks decide to call it quits and cash out. The game can go on with a little as 2 players

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Please note, the above are suggested rules, players may adjust rules that best suit house rules. We do not condone gambling at all.

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Have fun :)

Special situations

1. All-in: A player may go all-in (put-in all their money) during a round. All players still in the round will have the option to call (match the amount put-in), raise (this will result in a side pot, with the main pot being the original all-in amount), or fold.

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A creation of side-pot is needed as the player that went all-in cannot win more than the amount he/she bet. If he/she wins, the side-pot will then be divided to the 2nd place player of the round.

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2. Splitting the pot (Chop): If there's no winner, but players have the same hand, the pot is chopped and divided evenly

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