Texas Hold’em Rules – How to Play (Step-by-Step)

Learn Texas Hold’em in simple steps: blinds, deal, betting rounds (preflop, flop, turn, river), and showdown. We’ll also cover actions, positions, basic strategy, and common mistakes.

Quick start (what you do each hand)

  1. Post blinds

    Two players put in small blind and big blind to start the pot.

  2. Deal

    Everyone gets 2 private cards (your hole cards).

  3. Preflop

    Choose to fold, call the big blind, or raise.

  4. Flop

    3 shared cards are dealt face up → new betting round.

  5. Turn

    1 more shared card → bet again.

  6. River

    Final shared card → last betting round.

  7. Showdown

    If two or more players remain, everyone shows. Best five-card hand wins.

Short on time? Jump to full rules or see Hand Ranks.



Infographic summarizing the key steps and rules of Texas Hold'em poker.
Texas Hold’em Rules – Quick guide to the game

The setup

  • Game uses a 52-card deck (no jokers) and fits 2–9 players.
  • The dealer button moves one seat left each hand; blinds move with it.
  • Small blind (SB) and big blind (BB) are forced bets to create action.
  • In many tournaments there’s also an ante (often a Big Blind Ante).

New to poker? Start on our What is Poker? page.

Basic actions

  • Check do nothing (only if no bet yet)
  • Bet put chips in first
  • Call match the current bet
  • Raise bet more than the last bet
  • Fold give up your hand

Easy sizing: use about ½–⅔ pot for typical bets.

Texas Hold’em rules (step-by-step)

1) Blinds (and antes)

Two players post SB and BB. In some formats there’s an ante too.

2) Deal two cards

You receive 2 hole cards. Keep them face down.

3) Preflop betting

Starting left of the big blind, players choose to fold, call, or raise. Action continues until bets are matched.

4) Flop

Deal 3 shared cards. New betting round starts with the first active player left of the button.

5) Turn

Deal 1 more shared card. Another betting round.

6) River

Deal the final shared card. Last betting round.

7) Showdown

If there’s no fold that ends the hand, remaining players show cards. The best five-card hand takes the pot. If hands tie, the pot is split.

Example: You hold A♠ K♥. Final board is A♦ 9♣ 4♣ 7♠ 2♥ → you have Pair of Aces.

Showdown & hand ranks

Hands are compared using the standard order. The top five cards count—choose any mix of your 2 hole cards and the 5 on the board.

Full order with pictures: Poker Hand Ranks (Best → Worst).

Betting formats

  • No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE): you may bet any amount up to your stack. Most common format.
  • Fixed-Limit (FL): bets/raises are fixed sizes per street.
  • Pot-Limit (PL): max bet is the size of the pot.

Cash game vs tournament

  • Cash game: chips = real money; join/leave anytime; blinds don’t change.
  • Tournament: fixed buy-in and stack; blinds increase; play to prizes.

Where to play: see Where to Play in Uganda.

Position & beginner tips

Position is where you sit relative to the button. Acting later gives more info and better control.

  • Play tighter in early seats; a bit looser late (especially on the button).
  • Play fewer starting hands. Be patient.
  • Raise strong hands; don’t just limp.
  • Use normal bet sizes (½–⅔ pot). Fold when unsure.

Learn more: Beginner Guide · Odds & Outs

Common beginner mistakes

  • Playing too many hands (be selective preflop).
  • Calling too much; not raising enough with value hands.
  • Chasing weak draws without good odds.
  • Ignoring position.
  • Not setting a budget or time limit.

Play safe (Uganda)

Poker should be fun. Set a money and time limit. In Uganda, casinos and most betting are 25+ (lottery may be 18+). Rules change—see Uganda & the Law and Play Safe.

Information only. We don’t run games or accept bets.

Texas Hold’em – FAQ

What is the order of play preflop?

Action starts left of the big blind and moves clockwise. The button acts last on all post-flop streets.

How many raises are allowed?

In no-limit, practical raises continue until all-in or action closes. In fixed-limit, there’s usually a cap (e.g., 4 bets) per street.

Can I use one or both hole cards?

Yes—any mix of your 2 cards and the 5 on the board. The best five cards win.

What happens on a tie?

The pot splits between tied hands (side pots apply if players were all-in for different amounts).

How do antes work?

An ante is a small forced bet that goes in before the deal (often the big blind posts a Big Blind Ante for the table in tournaments).