Understanding Texas Hold’em: Blinds, Betting, and Community Cards
First, let’s discuss the blinds. The blinds are two forced bets, the small blind and big blind, which in each round of play are placed by the two players to the left of the dealer. The first player to the dealer’s left must put in the small blind, and the player to their left puts in the big blind. The small blind is half the small bet (e.g., $0.50 in a $1/$2 game). The big blind is equal to the small bet (e.g., $1 in a $1/$2 game).
After the blinds are posted, the dealer gives each player two cards face down. These are known as hole cards. Throughout the hand, five cards are placed face up in the middle of the table; these are called community cards and are shared by all players. At the end of the hand, each player makes their best five-card hand using the best combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards. A player can use one, both, or none of their hole cards.
After the hole cards are dealt, the first round of betting begins. The player to the left of the big blind is the first to act. Their choices are to fold (discard their hand), call (match the amount of the big blind), or bet (raise). If they choose to call, they must match the amount of the big blind. If they choose to bet, they must raise at least the amount of the small bet (e.g., $1 in a $1/$2 game). The betting continues clockwise until it reaches the player who posted the big blind.
If the first player has bet, the next player to act can fold, call (match the bet), or raise (increase the bet). The turn moves to the left and ends when all players have contributed the same amount to the pot, or have folded. If a player raises and no other player calls, the player automatically wins the hand and takes the money in the pot.
The Flop
Players still in the game then see the flop, which consists of the first three of the five community cards.
Another round of betting follows. This time, the player immediately to the left of the dealer is the first to act. They can choose to check (pass their action) or bet. If the player checks, they reserve the right to call or raise any bet made after them in the round. If they bet, they should make a small bet into the pot. The betting continues in the same manner as in the previous round, ending with the player making a delivery.
The Turn (Fourth Street)
The players still in the hand then see the fourth community card, known as “The Turn” or “Fourth Street.” The betting proceeds in the same way as on the flop, with the difference that the stakes are now doubled. In a $1/$2 game, bets after seeing the fourth card are $2.
The River (Fifth Street)
The players still in the hand then see the fifth and final community card, known as “The River” or “Fifth Street.” The betting follows the same pattern as the previous round. At the end of this round, the players who remain in the hand compare their hands, and the player with the best five-card combination wins the pot.
In the next hand, the role of the dealer moves to the player to the left of the previous dealer.