Texas Hold’em is typically played with a standard 52-card deck.
Players are dealt two cards face down, known as “hole cards” or “pocket cards.”
Five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table in stages: three cards (the “flop”), followed by one card (the “turn” or “fourth street”), and finally one more card (the “river” or “fifth street”).
Gameplay:
Pre-flop: Betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer (the “small blind”) and continues clockwise. Players have the option to fold, call (match the previous bet), or raise (increase the bet).
The Flop: After the first round of betting, three community cards are dealt face up on the table. Another round of betting occurs starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
The Turn: A fourth community card is dealt face up. Betting resumes as in previous rounds.
The River: The fifth and final community card is dealt face up. The final round of betting takes place.
Showdown: If more than one player remains after the final round of betting, the remaining players reveal their hole cards, and the player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.
Hand Rankings (from highest to lowest):
Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
Full House: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
High Card: The highest card in the hand, if no other hand is made.
Additional Notes:
If all players except one fold at any point, the remaining player wins the pot without showing their cards.
In some variations, there may be limits on betting sizes or variations in how community cards are dealt.
Texas Hold’em can be played in various formats including cash games, tournaments, and online poker rooms.