A round plastic marker called the dealer "button" is placed in front of the player who the dealer is dealing for. The button is moved one seat clockwise after each game and the card distribution and betting starts to the left of that position. The two players to the left of the dealer make "blind" bets. The first player makes a bet of 1 chip (called the SMALL blind) and the 2nd player makes a bet of 2 chips (called the BIG blind). Blinds are defined below . . .

 

 

BLINDS

Texas Hold'em rules dictate that there be two forced bets every hand, called blinds. There is a small blind, equal to one (1) chip, and a big blind, equal to two (2) chips. Before the hand begins, the player to the immediate left of the dealer button is forced to post the small blind, and the player to the left of that person is forced to post the big blind. Those bets count towards that player's first round bet, and are considered live, meaning the player may choose to raise even if nobody else has.

 

 

 

PLAY

Two cards are dealt face down to each player on the table. The player to the left of the Big Blind begins play. He/she may choose to call (which means match the bet on the table), raise, or fold. This continues to the left until the betting round is completed.

 

The first three face up cards are then dealt at the same time. This is known as the "flop". The next betting round begins with player to the left of the dealer and continues to the left. If there is no bet on the table, a player may bet or check (which means to neither bet, nor fold - the turn simply passes to the next player). If there is a bet on the table, a player must call, raise or fold.

After the close of the betting round, the next card is dealt, face up. This card is called the "turn". The next round of betting occurs. For this and the final round of betting the minimum bet must be equal to the value of the big blind.

After the close of the betting round, the final card is dealt. This card is known as the "River". The final betting round takes place. At the conclusion of betting, the best hand takes the pot.

 

 

REMEMBER

 

 

A round of betting is finished when all players have acted, and contributed equally to the pot. There can be at most three raises per hand. During all rounds of betting, all bets are equal to the table minimum.

 

For more rules and information please visit the following websites:  

http://texasholdem.omnihosts.net

http://www.blackjack-strategycard.com/texas_holdem_poker_strategy_&_rules.htm