Poker Rules: Texas Hold’em for Beginners
Learn the mechanics of standard no-limit Texas Hold’em before sitting at a table. Card examples and chip amounts below are teaching examples; detailed procedures follow the venue or event’s rules.
The goal and the five-card rule
Each player receives two private hole cards. Up to five community cards are shared by everyone. Make your strongest five-card hand from the seven available cards, using zero, one or two hole cards. Win the pot by having the best eligible hand at showdown, or when every other player folds.
Poker hand rankings
Strongest to weakest. A royal flush is the highest form of straight flush.
| Rank | Hand and meaning | Card example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit. The example is a royal flush, the highest straight flush. | A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠ |
| 2 | Four of a kindFour cards of the same rank, plus one kicker. | A♠A♥A♦A♣K♠ |
| 3 | Full houseThree cards of one rank and two of another. | K♠K♥K♦9♠9♣ |
| 4 | FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive. | A♥J♥8♥6♥3♥ |
| 5 | StraightFive consecutive ranks, with mixed suits. | 9♠8♥7♦6♣5♠ |
| 6 | Three of a kindThree matching ranks and two other cards. | Q♠Q♥Q♦8♣2♠ |
| 7 | Two pairTwo different pairs and one kicker. | J♠J♥4♦4♣A♠ |
| 8 | One pairOne pair and three other cards. | 10♠10♥K♦7♣2♠ |
| 9 | High cardNo higher category; compare the highest cards. | A♠J♥9♦5♣3♠ |
From preflop to the river
- Preflop
Post the required blinds and any ante, receive two hole cards, then take the first betting round.
- Flop
The dealer exposes three community cards, followed by a betting round.
- Turn
A fourth community card is exposed, followed by a betting round.
- River
A fifth community card is exposed. After the final betting round, remaining players compare their hands.
The dealer button marks position and normally moves one seat clockwise after each hand. With three or more players, preflop action starts left of the big blind; later rounds start with the first active player left of the button. Heads-up, the button posts the small blind, acts first preflop and last after the flop. A betting round closes when all remaining players have acted and matched the required amount, or are all-in.
Your five basic actions
- Fold
- Leave this hand and give up a claim to its pot.
- Check
- Pass the action without adding chips, only when you owe nothing to call.
- Call
- Add the chips needed to match the current bet; chips already committed count toward the call.
- Bet
- Make the opening wager in a round with no existing bet.
- Raise
- Increase the current bet. State the total clearly and follow the minimum-raise rule.
Minimum raises and all-ins
In no-limit play, an opening bet is normally at least the big blind. A full raise must add at least the size of the last full bet or raise increment. With blinds 10/20, a raise to 60 adds 40; the next minimum full raise is to 100, not 120. A short all-in is a special case and may not reopen betting for someone who has already acted; ask the dealer.
All-in means committing your remaining stack. A player with fewer chips can stay in for the portion covered by their contribution. Example: A contributes 100, B 300 and C 300, with no other contributions or folds. The main pot is 300, contested by all three; the side pot is 400, contested only by B and C. A cannot win that side pot. If no further betting is possible, the remaining community cards are dealt before showdown.
Showdown, kickers and ties
Compare hand categories first, then the relevant ranks and kickers within the best five cards. For a flush or high-card hand, compare cards in descending order; for two pair, compare the higher pair, then the lower pair, then the kicker. A full house compares the triple before the pair. Suits do not break ties. A can be high or low in A-2-3-4-5; Q-K-A-2-3 is not a straight.
Example board: K♣ K♦ 8♥ 5♠ 2♣. A♠ Q♦ beats A♥ J♦: both have a pair of kings and an ace kicker, then Q beats J. If players’ best five cards are identical, the eligible pot is split; unused hole cards do not break the tie. If all five board cards form everyone’s best hand, everyone still eligible for that pot shares it.
At the table
Wait for your turn, keep your cards protected and visible, and state your action clearly. Avoid discussing a live hand or revealing folded cards. Ask the dealer about unclear bets before acting. Confirm the format, blinds/antes, fees, beginner instruction and booking conditions before joining a venue game.
Common questions
Must I use both hole cards?
No. Texas Hold’em uses any five of the seven available cards. You can use zero, one or two hole cards.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush ranks above a straight; a full house ranks above a flush.
Does the highest suit win a tie?
No. Equal best five-card hands split the eligible pot. Suits have no ranking for this comparison.
Rule references
- World Poker Tour — Texas Hold’em Rules
- World Poker Tour — Poker Hand Rankings
- Poker TDA — Tournament Rules
References checked: 2026-10-30. This is an independent beginner guide; venue and event rules govern detailed rulings.