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The Game
Texas Hold'Em uses a disc called a dealer button to indicate
where the cards are to be dealt. Prior to the deal, the two
players to the left of the button (seats 2 and 3) place live
bets called the small and big blinds. It is called a blind
because players must pay this amount before seeing their cards.
It's called live because it counts as part of any further
bets in the first betting round. The first player to the dealer's
left (seat two) is the small blind and must kick in half the
lower limit (£1 on a £2/£4 table). Seat
three is the big blind and must kick in the full value of
the lower limit (£2 on a £2/£4 table).
The deal rotates clockwise around the table beginning with
the player to the big blind's left. Each player is dealt their
first card in turn, then their second, both faced down.
Action starts with a betting round beginning with the player
to the left of the blind bets and continuing clockwise around
the table. They Call by matching the big blind (£2 on
the £2/£4 table) or may Raise by kicking in the
big limit (£4 on the £2/£4 table). In this
round Checking is not permitted. If the player doesn't want
to Call, they may Fold. The big blind has the privilege of
last action and may check or raise the bet.
The Flop
Once the first round of betting has completed, three community
cards called the flop are then dealt up in the centre
of the table. Another betting round takes place beginning
with the player to the left of the dealer button. This betting
round begins with the blinds, or the first remaining seat
on the dealer's left. Checking is permitted now and for the
rest of the hand. Bets are placed at the lower limit (£2
in our game). Players may check, bet, raise or fold in this
round.
The Turn
Another community card is dealt face up, called the turn.
Again betting begins with the blinds, however, Bets and Raises
are at the high limit £4.
The River
The fifth and last card called the river is dealt face up
and a final round of betting takes place, again at the high
limit.
The Showdown
Players remaining in the game will then show their cards,
with the best 5 card hand winning. Any combination of pocket
cards and community cards may be used to make the best five-card
poker hand. Players may even ignore the pocket cards, using
only the table cards if they wish. The winning poker hand
will be awarded the pot. Click
here for a guide to winning hands.
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