Texas Hold'em FAQ

General Rules

How many players can play Texas Hold’em?

Texas Hold’em can be played with 2 to 10 players at a single table. Two-player games are called “heads-up.” Games with 6 or fewer players are called “short-handed.” Full ring tables typically seat 9 or 10 players.

How many cards does each player get?

Each player receives exactly two private cards (called hole cards). These are dealt face-down. Combined with the five community cards on the board, each player has seven cards to make their best five-card hand.

What is the order of play?

Preflop, the player to the left of the big blind acts first. After the flop, the first active player to the left of the dealer button acts first. Play always moves clockwise.

What are the blinds?

Blinds are forced bets posted by two players before any cards are dealt. The small blind (half the minimum bet) is posted by the player to the left of the dealer button. The big blind (equal to the minimum bet) is posted by the next player to the left. Blinds rotate every hand.

Betting

What does “no-limit” mean?

In No-Limit Texas Hold’em, you can bet any amount from the minimum bet up to your entire chip stack at any time. There is no cap on the size of a bet or raise. This is the most common format and the one used in the World Series of Poker Main Event.

What is the minimum raise?

The minimum raise must be at least equal to the previous bet or raise in the same round. If the big blind is $10 and a player raises to $30 (a raise of $20), the next player must raise by at least $20 more, to $50 or higher.

Can you raise your own bet?

No. You cannot raise your own bet. You can only raise in response to another player’s bet or raise. The exception is if you are the big blind and action comes back to you with no raise — you may then choose to raise (this is called the “option”).

What happens if you don’t have enough chips to call?

You go all-in by putting in all your remaining chips. A side pot is created for the remaining players. You can only win the main pot (the portion you contributed to), not the side pot.

The Board

What is the flop, turn, and river?

These are the three stages of dealing community cards:

One card is “burned” (discarded face-down) before each stage to prevent cheating.

Do you have to use both hole cards?

No. In Texas Hold’em, you can use any combination:

• Both hole cards + 3 community cards
• One hole card + 4 community cards
• Zero hole cards (play the board — all 5 community cards)

You always make the best five-card hand from the seven available cards.

Winning the Hand

What happens at a showdown?

When two or more players remain after the final betting round (the river), they reveal their hole cards. The player with the best five-card hand wins. If players have identical five-card hands, the pot is split equally.

Who has to show their cards first?

The last player to bet or raise shows first. If no bets were made on the river (everyone checked), the first player to the left of the dealer shows first. Other players can then choose to show or muck their cards.

What if everyone folds except one player?

That player wins the pot immediately and does not have to show their cards.

Can you win with a hand that is entirely on the board?

Yes. If the five community cards make the best possible hand and neither player can beat or improve upon it with their hole cards, the pot is split. This is called “playing the board.”

Common Situations

What if two players have the same pair?

The pot is awarded based on the kicker — the highest unpaired side card. If Player A has K-K-A-8-3 and Player B has K-K-Q-J-10, Player A wins because the Ace kicker is higher than the Queen.

What if two players have a flush?

The flush with the highest card wins. If the highest cards are equal, compare the second highest, then third, and so on. If all five cards are the same rank, the pot is split. Suits do not matter for tiebreaking.

Does a straight wrap around?

No. The only exception is the Ace, which can be used as the highest card (A-K-Q-J-10) or the lowest card (A-2-3-4-5). Hands like Q-K-A-2-3 are not valid straights.

What is a “split pot”?

A split pot occurs when two or more players have hands of exactly equal value. The pot is divided equally among them. This happens most often when the best five-card hand is made entirely from community cards, or when players hold the same cards (e.g., both have A-K with the same board).

Etiquette

Can you show your cards before the showdown?

In most games, you can show your cards at any time, but it is generally considered poor etiquette. Showing cards can give information to players still in the hand. In tournaments, revealing cards while a hand is in progress may result in a penalty.

What is “slow rolling”?

Slow rolling is when a player with a very strong hand deliberately takes a long time to reveal their cards at showdown, making their opponent believe they have won. It is considered one of the most disrespectful moves in poker.

Can you talk about your hand during play?

Rules vary by venue. In most cash games, you should not discuss the contents of your hand while others are still playing. In tournaments, talking about your hand (even vaguely) is typically prohibited until the hand is over.