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The Dealer
Players sit around a table each with a set number of chips. One person is
designated as the "DEALER", the position of the Dealer (Also called the Button)
moves from one person to another in between each new hand in a clockwise
direction.
The Deal
1. Each player at the table is dealt 2 cards face down, these are called "Pocket
Cards" or "Hole Cards"
2. A round of betting takes place and then 3 cards are dealt face up in the center of
the table, this is "The Flop" and these are called "Community Cards" because they
are common to each player (Each player uses these Three cards to complete a 5
card Poker hand with their Hole Cards.
3. A second round of betting takes place and then a fourth community card is dealt
face up, this is called "The Turn".
4. A third round of betting takes place before a fifth community card is dealt, this is
called "The River".
5. Once the river card is dealt there are 5 community cards on the table, to complete
their best 5 card Poker hand each player can use:
A. Their 2 Pocket cards and any 3 of the 5 Community cards.
B. 1 Pocket card and any 4 of the 5 Community cards.
C. Just the 5 Community Cards.
6. Whoever is left with the best 5 card Poker Hand wins the "Pot".
The Betting Rounds
Note: When playing No-Limit Texas Hold'em players can wager ALL their chips at
any time, when a player has used all of their chips for a bet they are said to be
"ALL-IN"
1st Round
The player to the immediate left of the Dealer is the position of the "SMALL BLIND"
they must place a bet of a predetermined amount before the deal begins. The player
to the left of the small blind is the "BIG BLIND", they must also place a bet usually
twice the size of the small blind. After the Pocket cards are dealt the person to the left
of the big blind is the first to act, in order to continue to play this player must match or
"CALL" the size of the big blind to continue the hand. They can also choose to
"RAISE" by betting more chips or "FOLD" and throw their cards away and not play the
hand. The betting continues around the table until all the players have called the big
blind or any raises that may have taken place. The Position of the big blind is always
last to act for this round.
2nd Round
After the Flop the small blind position is the first to act, they can choose to bet or
"CHECK" this simply means not to bet and pass the action to the next player on the
left. Players who choose not to call a bet can fold their cards when it is their turn to
play. Again each player takes their turn checking betting calling, raising or folding
until all bets have been called, note that the position of the dealer is the last to act
before the next card is turned.
3rd Round
After the Turn card comes down it's the same thing all over again, small blind acts
first and the action goes around the table with the Dealer being the last to act.
4th Round
Now the River card comes down and the fourth and final betting round takes place in
the same fashion as the last round, after all bets have been called the remaining
players turn over their cards and whoever has the best hand wins the Pot.
