Beginners Material

How to Play Texas Hold 'Em

1. Before the cards are dealt, the two players to the left of the dealer or dealer button must post the blinds.  (OK - you lost me - more details please!)

2. At the start of each hand, each player is dealt two cards face down (hole or pocket cards).  Each player looks at their own cards, taking care that no one else sees them.  (Why is this important?)

3. Players engage in a round of pre-flop betting where each player will bet, check or fold their hand starting with the player to the left of the dealer. (Call, Check, Raise, Fold - what is this?)

4. The dealer will lay three cards, face up, in the middle of the table.  These cards are called the flop, and are community cards that each player uses in combination with their pocket cards to create a poker hand. (Are these cards mine? Should I pick them up and put them in my hand?)

5. Another round of betting takes place after the flop - again starting with the player to the left of the dealer.  (What - betting again?)

6. After betting is over, the dealer turns up a fourth community card (also called the turn, or fourth street) (Just one card this time?)

7. A third round of betting takes place. (How many times will we do this!?!)

8. The dealer turns up the fifth and last community card (the river). (Again - just one?)

9. The last round of betting takes place. (Finally - done with this betting thing!)

10. The highest or last hand takes the pot. (The Showdown!)