Poker Rules
The object of Texas Holdem is to make the best 5 card poker hand from the 5 community cards on the table and your own 2 cards that only you can see. The community cards are dealt out during the hand with betting rounds in between so you are betting on the likleyhood of forming a winning hand by the end of the hand when all cards are revealed.
A game consists of playing hands of cards and each hand is split into alternating rounds of revealing cards and betting on the results.
Your good buddy has lent you $10K to join a high stakes poker game. Whatever profit or loss you make whilst playing in a game will be added or deducted from your total bankroll whenever you leave a table. The total bankroll determines your player ranking.
Be careful not to lose the initial $10K or it's back to your buddy to plead for more!
Poker Hands
Royal Flush
The highest possible poker hand is the Royal Flush. It consists of a Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush
A combination of both a straight and a flush. The cards must all be of the same suit and they must run in value (e.g. 4,5,6,7,8). If more than one player has a Straight Flush, the player with the best Highcard wins.
Four Of A Kind
This hand is made up with 4 cards of the same value (e.g. 4 X Jacks). If more than one player has Four Of A Kind the highest value Four Of A Kind would win.
Full House
This hand is made up with 3 cards of one value and two of another value (e.g. 3 X Nines and 2 X Queens). If more than one player has a Full House the winning hand would be the one with the highest triple value or failing that the highest double value.
Flush
A Flush is when the hand contains 5 cards of the same suit (e.g. 5 X Spades). If more than one player has a Flush the winner is the player with the best Highcard.
Straight
To make a Straight the must run in value (e.g. 4,5,6,7,8) but it does not matter what suit they are. If more than one player has a Straight, the player with the best Highcard wins.
Three Of A Kind
This hand is made up with 3 cards of the same value (e.g. 3 X Sevens). If more than one player has a Three Of A Kind the winning hand would be the one with the highest value Three Of A Kind.
Two Pair
Two pair of the same value (e.g. 2 X Fours and 2 X Sevens). If more than one player has Two Pair, the winner is the player with the highest pair value. If both players have the same pairs the player with the best Highcard wins.
One Pair
One pair of the same value (e.g. 2 X Fours). If more than one player has One Pair, the winner is the player with the highest pair value. If both players have the same pair the player with the best Highcard win.
Highcard
The Highcard is the highest value card that is in your hand that is not duplicated (not a pair, 3 of a kind or 4 of a kind). If one or more players has the same Highcard the next highest Highcard will be evaluated until a winner is found.
Game Play
- The hand begins.
- The next player from the dealer button posts the small blind.
- The next player posts the big blind.
- Each player is dealt their personal hand (2 cards each). These are called the player's hole cards.
- Betting round 1 commences (pre-flop).
- The first 3 community cards are dealt out. This is called the Flop.
- Betting round 2 commences.
- The 4th community card is dealt out. This is called the Turn card.
- Betting round 3 commences.
- The 5th and last community card is dealt. This is called the River card.
- Last betting round commences.
- The cards of the remaining players that have not folded are turned over to find the winner.
- The winnings are distributed**. If more than one player wins the pot is split.
- If more than one player still has money in their pot, a new hand begins.
** Note: You cannot win more than the amount you bet from another player.
Terms
Dealer Button
A chip that marks where the dealing begins. This moves forward one player each hand.
Small Blind
An automatic small bet that must be paid by the next player from the dealer button at the beginning of a hand.
Big Blind
An automatic large bet that must be paid by the next player from the small blind player at the beginning of a hand. During the first betting round this is the amount players must match or raise to stay in the current hand.
Hole Cards
The 2 cards that you are dealt as your personal hand. Other players cannot see your cards unless they turn over at the end of the hand to find the winner.
Betting Round
There are 4 betting rounds during a game. A player can choose to call a bet, raise a bet or fold their hand.
Flop, Turn, River
The Flop is the first 3 community cards. The Turn is the 4th card. The River is the 5th and final community card.
Call, Raise, Fold, All-in
Call: Match the current bet amount.
Raise: Increase the current bet amount.
Fold: Discard your hand and forfeit any bets made.
All-in: Bet your entire remaining chips.