19.1.2) Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em is undoubtedly the most popular form of poker. It is widely considered to have the most strategy of all poker games, although the rules are quite simple (which is exactly what makes it so attractive).

How to play

1. One player acts as the Dealer. This position is called the Button and it rotates clockwise after every hand. In read casinos and card rooms, the dealer does not play, but it is a usual practice in home games that the dealer participates in games as well.
2. The two players to the left of the dealer are called the Small Blind and the Big Blind. They are obliged to make "blind" bets before any cards are dealt.
3. Every player receives two cards from the Dealer, face down. These are called Hole Cards.
4. The first round of bets starts from the player sitting immediately to the left of the Big Blind, and continues clockwise to the Dealer.
5. When the first betting round is completed, three Community Cards are flipped face up on the table. This is called the Flop.
6. The second round of best begins with the first remaining player seated to the left of the button. The betting continues, clockwise again.
7. After the second round of best is completed, the Dealer flips the fourth community card face up on the table. This is called the Turn.
8. The third round of betting starts with the first remaining player sitting to the left of the button. The betting moves clockwise, with double bets in this turn.
9. When the third round of betting is over, the fifth community card is flipped face up on the table by the Dealer. This is called the River.
10. The fourth round of betting starts with the first remaining player seated to the left of the button (dealer). The betting continues to move clockwise.

How to determine the winner

Each player tries to make the best possible combination of five cards, out of 7 available ones (2 hole cards and 5 community cards). It is allowed to use both hole cards, one hole card or no hole card at all. The combination ranks are listed below (from the best to the worst one):

1. Royal flush (A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit)
2. Straight flush (e.g. 9-8-7-6-5 of the same suit)
3. Four of a kind (e.g. K-K-K-K-9)
4. Full house (e.g. A-A-A-7-7)
5. Flush (e.g. K-J-8-7-5 of the same suit)
6. Straight (e.g. K-Q-J-10-9)
7. Three of a kind (e.g. A-A-A-9-2)
8. Two pairs (e.g. K-K-9-9-8)
9. One pair (e.g. Q-Q-9-4-2)
10. High card (e.g. K-J-7-3-2)