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Texas Hold'em rules

Texas Hold'em is the most popular version of poker. Each player receives two hidden cards, and five community cards are gradually revealed on the table. The best five-card combination wins — or the player who made everyone else fold.

Goal of the game

Win the pot — all the chips bet in the hand. There are two ways: show the strongest combination at showdown, or make a bet that no one calls.

How a hand plays out

  1. Blinds

    Two players to the left of the button post mandatory blind bets: the small and big blind. They create the starting pot.

  2. Preflop

    Everyone receives two face-down cards. The first betting round starts with the player to the left of the big blind.

  3. Flop

    Three community cards are revealed. A new betting round starts with the first active player to the left of the button.

  4. Turn

    The fourth community card is revealed. Another betting round.

  5. River

    The fifth, final community card is revealed. The last betting round.

  6. Showdown

    If two or more players remain, they reveal their cards. The strongest five-card combination takes the pot.

Player actions in betting

  1. Fold

    Discard your cards and leave the hand. Chips already bet are lost.

  2. Check

    Pass the turn without betting — possible only if no one before you has bet.

  3. Call

    Match the opponent's current bet.

  4. Bet

    The first bet in a round, when no one before you has bet.

  5. Raise

    Increase someone's bet. The minimum raise is the size of the previous raise.

  6. All-in

    Bet your entire stack. If an opponent has more chips, you play only for part of the pot.

Position at the table

The button (dealer) is the most profitable position: you act last and see every opponent's decision. Early positions (right after the blinds) are the hardest: only strong hands should be played there. Position in poker matters more than the cards themselves.

Poker positions: blinds, button, cutoff

Showdown and splitting the pot

  • A combination consists of exactly five cards: any mix of your two and the five community cards.
  • If several players' best five cards are identical, the pot is split equally.
  • If the best combination lies entirely on the board, everyone who reached showdown splits the pot.
  • Suits are equal: there is no "higher" suit.

Frequently asked questions about the rules

How many cards are there in hold'em?

You have two hidden cards, and there are five community cards on the table. A combination is the best five of these seven.

Which is stronger: a flush or a straight?

A flush beats a straight. The full order is in the hand rankings guide.

Can you lose with four of a kind?

Yes, if the opponent has a higher four of a kind or a straight flush. But the probability is tiny.

What is a kicker?

The card that separates identical combinations. For example, a pair of kings with an ace beats a pair of kings with a queen.

The best way to learn the rules is to play

The River Nuts training table is free: the AI coach hints at every step and explains the rules on live hands.

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Poker hand rankings guide

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