In the playing style of Texas Hold Em, each player is dealt two cards.
A rotating system of blinds (forced bets) requires two players, big blind and small blind, to post a set amount before the cards are even dealt. Then, the other players must post or "call" the amount to stay in the round. Big blind is automatically in, but small blind most post the remaining amount to stay in the hand. For this reason, it is rare to see a player fold on small blind. Also, players have the chance to raise the bet.

After this is done, three cards are dealt across the table... this is known as "the flop." These are community cards everyone shares. A round of betting ensues and then a fourth community card is placed on the board. This is known as "the turn," or "fourth street." Another round of betting is conducted, and then the final community card is dealt. It is called "the river." So now there are five cards on the table and each player is holding his/her own two cards. It is with these two cards and the community cards that players have the best 5 card poker hand. A final round of betting occurs and then the players who are still in the hand must flip up their cards to determine a winner. However, if a player see's a better hand, he/she does not have to show his cards. He can "muck" the hand, just push it away, indicating that the other player has won.

One thing to note is because it is the best 5 cards, values of other cards matter in non-5 card hands. These include high card, a pair, two pair, and three of a kind. If two players both have a pair of aces, and one ace is on the board (the community cards), the other card matters, provided there aren't 4 higher cards on the table. If one player is holding ace, king, and the other ace, 5, the player holding ace king wins. A split pot occurs if neither player is holding a card higher than one on the board.
© 2005 - Varoujan Arman (AcesHigh - site moderator) All rights reserved.

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Remember to throw them in the minute they can't win.