How To Play Texas Hold’em Poker

The Aim

The objective of each Texas Hold’em hand is to win the pot, which can be done in two ways. You can force all your opponents to fold based on your betting activity, or you can have the best possible five card hand at showdown. You can make your hand using any combination of the two-hole cards you are dealt and the five community cards that are dealt for all players to use.

The Table

Texas Hold'em Poker Table Layout | Learn How To Play Texas Hold'em Poker

Definitions

Raise - Increase the size of an existing bet in the same betting round

Fold - To fold is to discard one's hand and forfeit interest in the current pot

Flop - The first three community cards

Turn- The fourth community card

River - The fifth community card

Split pot - When the pot is divided amongst the players still in the hand

All in - When a player wagers all the chips they have available

Dealer Button - A marker used to signify the player that will act last

Small Blind - The smaller of the compulsory bets that is first after the dealer button

Big Blind - The larger of the compulsory bets that is after the small blind

Hole Cards - The two cards the players get at the start of the game

Check - Checking means deferring one's betting option for the time being

Suit - The trait that identifies a card as belonging to one of four groups: spades, clubs, hearts, or diamonds

Let's Play

  1. The game is played in rounds with each player first receiving two cards face down
  2. Players then make a bet based on the potential of their hand. Other players may choose to meet the value of the bet, raise it, or fold.
  3. Once the betting round is concluded, the Dealer will turn three cards face up in the center of the table. This is called ‘the flop’.
  4. Players may now make additional bets based on how strong their hand is when including the three center cards.
  5. Rounds continue with a fourth and fifth card being placed face up in the center and bets being made accordingly.
  6. After the fifth card is turned face up players may either fold and forfeit their bets or reveal their hands and choose any of the seven total cards (their initial two plus the five community cards) to make their five-card hand.
  7. The player with the strongest hand wins the entire combined wagers of all players from that round, known as the pot.

Order of Betting

Prior to the start of the game: The first two players after the dealer button must place a small and big blind.

Pre-flop: Betting starts with the first person after the big blind and will continue in order until all players have called, folded, or gone all in to match the highest outstanding wager.

Flop, Turn and River: Betting starts with the first person after the dealer button and will continue until all players have called, folded, or gone all in to match the highest outstanding wager.

Hand Rankings

Royal Flush - Highest hand in poker. Consists of A, K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit

Straight Flush - Consists of 5 cards all in sequence and of the same suit

Four of a Kind - This hand contains 4 cards of equal value, and any other unmatched card

Full House - Contains 3 cards of equal value, and 2 cards of equal value

Flush - A hand with all 5 cards in the same suit, not in sequence

Straight - Consists of 5 unsuited cards in consecutive order

Three of a Kind - This hand contains 3 cards of equal value, and 2 unmatched cards

Two Pair - Consists of 2 cards of equal value, another 2 cards of equal value that are different to the first, and one extra card

One Pair - This hand contains 2 cards of equal value, and 3 unmatched cards

High Card - Contains 5 unmatched cards, if no-one has any other hands, the player with the highest card wins

Mindil Beach Casino Resort has a set of House Rules in place. Please talk to one of our Table Games Hosts for any additional information.