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Also referred to as "Hold 'em", this is one of the most popular games in North America
and Europe. It is this style of poker that can be commonly seen on television and
is the main event at the World Series of Poker.
The basics of the game are explained below:
Dealer and Blinds
One player is designated the "dealer" by a marker called the "dealer button" or
"button". The dealer button moves clockwise around the table at the end of every
hand (as if each player was taking their turn to deal)
The player to the immediate left of the dealer button must pay (post) a small blind,
normally half of the small bet (i.e. in a $2/$4 limit game, the small blind is $1).The
player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind, which is normally equivalent
to the small bet (i.e. $2 in this example). These blinds or forced bets exist so
that there is always something in the pot to compete for.
Pre-Flop
Each player is then dealt two hole cards, also referred to as pocket cards, which
are only visible to the player.
A first round of betting then starts based purely on the strength of these cards.
The player to the left of the big blind is the first player to bet, with betting
continuing clockwise around the table. The betting options are:
Check –Opt to stay in the game without betting. Pre-flop,
it is only players who have posted a big blind who can make this move. If the pot
has been raised, options are limited to call / raise or fold.
Call - match the amount bet in the big blind, or match any raise
thats been made
Raise - increase the current bet
Fold - surrender his cards and play no further part in the hand
(current
Betting continues until players have either called the maximum bet placed or folded.
If the pot hasnt been won already then we move onto the flop.
The Flop
Three community cards, placed in the middle of the table face up and visible to
all players, are dealt (called the flop). Another round of betting takes place,
starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Again betting moves around the
table clockwise. (Players can check if pot hasnt been raised).
The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt (called the turn). Another betting round takes
place.
The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt face up on the table (called the river).
A final betting round occurs.
The Showdown
After all betting rounds, if there is still more than 1 player left in the game,
the winner is decided by a showdown. A showdown is when players must reveal their
cards and the player with the highest hand wins (Hand Rankings). If players share
an identical hand, the pot is split.
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