Play Texas Holden: Fixed Limit, No Limit, Pot Limit

Texas Holdem Poker Rules

Texas Holdem poker is the most popular poker game in the world. If you want to start playing poker, online or otherwise, it is highly recommended to become familiar with the rules of Texas Holdem.

Object of Texas Holdem

The object of Texas Holdem is for each player to use his/her own two holes cards, combined with the 5 community cards, to develop the best possible 5-card poker hand. The player with the highest ranking hand at the showdown wins. If all other players fold before the showdown, the last remaining player automatically wins, regardless of hand strength.

Limits & Betting Structure

Texas Holdem can be played in one of three limit structures – Fixed Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit. The limit structure, as well as the stakes, define the betting structure and Blind Bets. Each of these elements are detailed below.

Fixed Limit: Fixed Limit (FL) means that players must place wagers that equal the stakes. During the first two betting rounds, all bets/raises must match the low-end stakes, increasing to match the high-end stakes in the final two betting rounds.

No Limit: No Limit (NL) games are just that – there is no limit to the maximum size a payer can bet/raise at any time, so long as he does not exceed his chip stack. The minimum bet is always equal to the high-end stakes.

Pot Limit: Pot Limit (PL) follows the same guidelines as No Limit except that the maximum bet/raise is always the current pot size.

Blind Bets: Blind Bets are how players sweeten the pot, much like Ante bets in 7 Card Stud, except that only two players are required to place these forced bets. There is a Small Blind and a Big Blind.

Small Blind: The Small Blind (SB) is placed by the player left of the dealer button. In FL games, the SB equals half of the low-end stakes. In NL and PL games, the SB is equal to the low-end stakes.

Big Blind: The Big Blind (BB) is placed by the player left of the SB. In FL games, the BB equals the low-end stakes. In NL and PL games, the BB equals the high-end stakes.

Dealer Button: Since Texas Holdem is dealt by a dealer, not any of the players (except in home games), a Dealer Button is passed around the table to identify which player is in the dealer position, therefore determining the Blind bettors.

How To Play Texas Holdem – Playing a Hand

The hand begins with the placement of blind bets. Each player is then dealt two cards face down – the Hole Cards. Players will look at their own hole cards, then the first round of betting begins.

The player left of the BB will be first to act, since the SB and BB have already placed forced bets. Rotating clockwise around the table, players will choose to bet, raise or fold. Once all players have acted, the betting round is over. Please note that Blind bettors only have to add chips to their current bets to call or raise. If they fold, they lose their blind bet.

The Flop: The dealer will now turn three cards face up in the center of the table. These are community cards. Players use these cards, combined with their hole cards, to develop their hand. The next betting round takes place, from now on starting with the player left of the dealer.

The Turn: A fourth community card is played, followed by the third betting round. (If playing FL, the predetermined bet/raise amounts increase to the high-end stakes.)

The River: A fifth community card is dealt, followed by the fourth and final betting round.

The Showdown: If two or more player remain active in the hand, a Showdown will occur. This is when all remaining players reveal their best 5-card poker hand. The highest ranking hand wins the pot.

Texas Holdem Poker Hand Ranks

Highest to lowest...
Royal Flush Ace-high straight, all suited
Straight Flush - any straight, all suited
4 of a Kind - 4 same-value cards
Full House - 3 of a Kind + one Pair
Flush - all same suit
Straight - all sequenced/connected
3 of a Kind - 3 same-value cards
2 Pair - one Pair + one Pair
Pair - 2 same-value cards
High Card - none of the above

Please read our other rules pages to learn more about the different poker games: Omaha,Omaha Hi/Lo,Caribbean Stud,Let it Ride,7 Card Stud,Razz Poker,Double Flop.

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