Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker in the world — easy to learn, hard to master. This beginner’s guide walks you through the rules of Texas Hold’em poker step by step, so you can sit down at any table and play with confidence. Want to practice for free? You can play Texas Hold’em online free at Poker House.
The goal of the game
The aim of Texas Hold’em is simple: win chips by either making the best five-card poker hand at showdown, or by getting everyone else to fold before then. You make your hand using any combination of your two private cards and the five shared community cards.
The blinds
Each hand begins with two forced bets called the blinds. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind. Blinds get the action started and give players something to compete for.
The deal: your hole cards
Every player is dealt two private cards face down, known as hole cards. Only you can see them. These are the foundation of your hand.
The four betting rounds
Texas Hold’em has four rounds of betting. On each turn you can check, bet, call, raise, or fold.
- Pre-flop: After receiving your two hole cards, the first round of betting takes place.
- The flop: Three community cards are dealt face up in the middle. A betting round follows.
- The turn: A fourth community card is dealt. Another betting round follows.
- The river: The fifth and final community card is dealt, followed by the last betting round.
The showdown
If two or more players remain after the river, it’s time for the showdown. Players reveal their hands, and the best five-card combination wins the pot. Not sure which hand beats which? See our guide to poker hand rankings.
A quick example
You hold A♠ K♠. The board comes Q♠ J♠ 2♥ 7♣ 10♠ — you’ve made a royal flush, the best possible hand. You’d combine your two spades with the three spades on the board for an unbeatable holding.
Tips for new players
- Play fewer hands, but play them aggressively — start with our guide to the best starting hands.
- Position matters — acting later in a round gives you more information. Learn why position is power.
- Pay attention to the board and what hands are possible.
- Don’t be afraid to fold; folding a weak hand saves chips.
Practice for free
The fastest way to learn is to play. At Poker House you can play free Texas Hold’em poker at real-time multiplayer tables — Wild-West saloon style, no real-money gambling. Deal in for free here.