How to Play Texas Hold'em
The foundational community-card game: two private cards, five shared cards, and the best five-card high hand.
Learn the rules ↓What is Texas Hold'em?
Win by making the best five-card high hand using zero, one, or both private cards, or by causing every opponent to fold.
Hold'em developed into the dominant modern tournament format; specific origin stories are disputed, so this guide focuses on verifiable play rules.
Dealer, forced bets & starting cards
The button rotates clockwise after each hand. The small blind and big blind sit immediately left of the button in a typical multi-player hand; heads-up button/blind rules differ.
Forced bets: Small blind and big blind; some events add antes. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
Betting rounds & legal actions
Betting schedule: 4. When action reaches you, fold, check if no bet is pending, bet, call, or raise within the table's betting limits. An all-in wager is possible when your remaining stack is smaller than a full bet; side pots can result.
Betting limits: No-limit, pot-limit, or fixed-limit. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.
Showdown & pot award
Compare each remaining player's best five cards from any combination of two hole cards and five board cards. Equal five-card hands split the pot.
See the rule at the table.
You hold A♠ K♠. The board is Q♠ J♠ 10♦ 2♣ 3♥. Using both private cards and Q-J-10 from the board makes an ace-high straight.
The mistake to avoid
Assuming you must use one private card. A player may play the board if its five cards make their best hand.
A sound starting approach
Start with position and hand selection. Acting later gives more information; protect strong hands while keeping bet sizes related to the pot and likely opponent ranges.
Venue and format variations
The deal and hand construction stay the same across no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit Hold'em; legal bet sizes change. Tournament procedures follow the event's published rules.
Game mechanics, tournament procedures, and local house rules are different layers. Poker TDA publishes tournament procedures; the table operator's posted game rules decide the exact version you play.
Follow one hand, step by step.
The button identifies the nominal dealer; the next two seats post blinds.
This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.
Check your understanding.
QUESTION 1 / 2How many hole cards must you use in Texas Hold'em?
Read the correct chart.
Listed from strongest to weakest. A royal flush is the highest straight flush. Suits do not break ties in standard high poker.
- A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠Royal flushThe ace-high straight flush.
- 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit.
- Q♠Q♥Q♦Q♣3♠Four of a kindFour cards of one rank.
- K♠K♥K♦4♣4♠Full houseThree of one rank plus a pair.
- A♦J♦8♦5♦2♦FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive.
- 9♣8♦7♥6♠5♣StraightFive consecutive ranks, not all one suit.
- 7♠7♥7♦K♣2♥Three of a kindThree cards of one rank.
- A♠A♥5♦5♣Q♠Two pairTwo distinct pairs.
- J♠J♦A♥8♣3♦One pairTwo cards of one rank.
- A♠J♦8♥5♣2♦High cardNo pair or higher category.
Frequently asked questions
What cards and deck does Texas Hold'em use?
Standard 52-card deck. Cards received over the hand: 2; community cards: 5.
How is the pot awarded?
Compare each remaining player's best five cards from any combination of two hole cards and five board cards. Equal five-card hands split the pot.
Which rules should I check at a real table?
The deal and hand construction stay the same across no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit Hold'em; legal bet sizes change. Tournament procedures follow the event's published rules. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.
Related poker terms
Continue exploring
Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗
Source documents
These original explanations were reviewed 2026-10-15. The linked organizations publish the underlying rules; Flawless Poker is an educational guide, not an official ruling body.
- PokerStars Texas Hold'em rules ↗Published room game rules
- Poker TDA 2026 Rules v1.1 (Sept. 21, 2026) ↗Tournament procedures; not a universal rulebook for every game