Texas Hold'em rules step by step
- Blinds. The two players to the left of the dealer button post forced bets: the small blind and the big blind.
- Pre-flop. Each player receives two hole cards. Starting left of the big blind, players fold, call or raise.
- Flop. Three community cards are dealt face up, followed by a betting round.
- Turn. A fourth community card, then another betting round.
- River. The fifth community card and the last betting round.
- Showdown. Remaining players show their cards; the best five-card hand wins the pot.
The dealer button moves one seat to the left after every hand, so everyone takes turns posting blinds.
Player actions
| Action | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Check | pass without betting when no bet has been made |
| Bet | put chips into the pot first in a betting round |
| Call | match the current bet |
| Raise | increase the current bet |
| Fold | give up the hand and lose what you already put in |
| All-in | bet all your remaining chips |
Poker hand sequence (from best to worst)
| Rank | Hand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| 2 | Straight flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ |
| 3 | Four of a kind | Q Q Q Q 4 |
| 4 | Full house | 8 8 8 K K |
| 5 | Flush | five cards of one suit |
| 6 | Straight | five consecutive cards |
| 7 | Three of a kind | 7 7 7 A 2 |
| 8 | Two pair | J J 4 4 9 |
| 9 | One pair | 10 10 A 6 3 |
| 10 | High card | none of the above |
Probabilities, tie-breaks and common questions are in our separate poker hand rankings guide.
Example hand
You hold A♥ K♥. The flop is K♣ 7♥ 2♥: you have top pair with the best kicker and a flush draw. The turn brings 9♠, the river 5♥ — you complete a heart flush. Your opponent with K♦ Q♦ has only a pair of kings, so your flush wins. The example shows why suited high cards are strong starting hands: they can win with a pair and also make a flush.
Basic poker tips for beginners
- Play fewer hands. Strong starting hands (big pairs, A-K, A-Q) win more often than "any two cards".
- Position matters. Acting last gives you more information; play more hands from late position.
- Know the pot odds. Compare the price of calling with your chance of completing a draw.
- Don't bluff too often. Bluffs work best against few opponents and when the board fits your story.
- Manage your bankroll. Play stakes where one bad session cannot hurt your budget.
Other poker variants
| Variant | Key difference |
|---|---|
| Omaha | four hole cards; you must use exactly two of them |
| Seven-card stud | no community cards; some of your cards are face up |
| Five-card draw | you can exchange cards once |
| Casino poker (Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker) | you play against the dealer, not other players |
| Video poker | a single-player machine based on five-card draw |
Free poker and online poker
"Free poker" usually means play-money tables or casino poker games in demo mode — a good way to learn the rules without risk. Online poker for real money is either played against other players in a poker room (the operator takes a commission, the rake) or against the house in casino poker. Online poker is regulated differently in each country; check the law where you live.
Poker at Mostbet
Mostbet offers casino poker variants in the Casino and Live casino sections, where you play against the dealer, and some games have demo mode. New players can use the promo code NEW3000; table games usually count less toward bonus wagering than slots. If you like card games against the dealer, see also blackjack and baccarat.
Poker terms every beginner should know
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pot | all chips bet in the hand |
| Kicker | side card that breaks ties |
| Draw | an unfinished hand that needs one more card |
| Nuts | the best possible hand on the current board |
| Rake | the poker room's commission |
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Texas Hold'em?
Each player gets two hole cards, five community cards are dealt in three stages (flop, turn, river) with betting rounds in between, and the best five-card hand wins at showdown.
What is the best hand in poker?
The royal flush — A, K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush ranks above a straight because it is harder to make.
What are blinds in poker?
Forced bets posted by the two players to the left of the dealer button before the cards are dealt.
Can I play poker for free?
Yes, on play-money tables or in demo versions of casino poker games. Winnings cannot be withdrawn.
What is the difference between poker and casino poker?
In classic poker you play against other players; in casino poker variants you play against the dealer and the house has an edge.
How many players can play Texas Hold'em?
Usually two to ten players at one table. Six-handed and nine-handed tables are the most common online.