How to play Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em is a betting game where you build the best five-card hand from two private cards and five shared community cards. Bet across four rounds and either win at the showdown or make everyone else fold.
The goal
Win chips by taking the pot — either by holding the best five-card hand at the showdown, or by betting hard enough that everyone else folds before you get there.
Blinds and the deal
Two players post forced bets each hand: the small blind and the big blind, which rotate around the table. Everyone is then dealt two private hole cards face down. Here you play seat one against five AI opponents.
Betting rounds
On your turn you can fold, check or call, or bet and raise. There are four betting rounds — before the flop, and after the flop, the turn and the river. A round ends once every remaining player has matched the biggest bet.
The community cards
After the first betting round, three community cards are dealt — the 'flop'. A single card called the 'turn' follows, then a final card, the 'river', each with a round of betting between them. All five are shared by every player.
Making your hand
Your hand is the best five cards you can make from your two hole cards and the five on the board — use both, one or neither. You never have to touch your cards; the best hand is always worked out for you.
Going all-in and side pots
No-Limit means you can bet any amount up to your entire stack at any time. If you are all-in for less than a bet, you can still win the part of the pot you contributed to — the rest becomes a side pot for the remaining players.
The showdown
If two or more players remain after the last bet, they show their cards and the best five-card hand wins the pot. Equal hands split it. The ranking runs from a straight flush down to a lone high card.
Common questions
- What is the ranking of hands?
- Highest to lowest: straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card. Between equal categories, the higher cards win.
- Can I use just one of my hole cards?
- Yes. Your best five come from any mix of your two cards and the five on the board — both, one or, occasionally, neither if the board itself is the best hand.
- What happens if I run out of chips?
- This is a play-money cash table, so a busted stack is simply topped back up to the buy-in before the next hand and you keep playing.
- Does the game save if I leave?
- Yes. Your chip count and statistics are stored in your browser, so the table is waiting when you return. Clearing your browsing data resets it.
More games in the network
The same calm design, a different table each time.
