How to win at Texas Hold em

The winner of a hand of Texas Hold’em is the player who has the strongest 5 cards. This is achieved by being the player with the strongest hand at the end of betting, or being the only player left in the hand due to other players folding.

The Dealer

In every hand one player represents the dealer (indicated by a disc with a D on it).

Cards are always dealt clockwise, and the dealer disc is also passed clockwise after every hand.

The Blinds

Every hand contains a ‘small blind’ and a ‘big blind’. A blind is a forced bet which takes place at the start of the hand. If it’s your turn to post the blind, it’ll automatically be placed for you.

The blinds are always placed by the 2 players left of the dealer, with the small blind being placed by the player immediately to the left, followed by the big blind.

The Hole Cards

Every player is dealt 2 cards at the start of the hand known as the ‘hole cards’. These can only be viewed by the player they’re dealt to.

Betting

After the hole cards are dealt to each player, the first round of betting begins. You bet with your chips, and any chips that are bet contribute to the pot.

Betting starts with the player directly to the left of the big blind, and continues in a clockwise direction.

In the first round of betting you have 3 options: Fold, Call, or Raise

Fold: To opt out of the hand – you give up your cards and lose any stake you’ve placed.

Call: To match the amount that’s being bet.

Raise: To increase the amount that’s being bet.