Rules

Betting

in No Limit Hold'em, you can bet all of your chips at any time (referred to as going "all-in").

Blinds and the Button

The players take turn dealing the cards, rotating clockwise. Forced bets called "blinds" made prior to the dealing of the hole cards. The player to the left of the button posts the "small blind" and the next player posts the "big blind". The small blind is half of the big blind and the big blind is the minimum bet or raise that can be made in this and all subsequent rounds. In Limit Hold'em the big blind is equal to the "small bet". In tournament play, the blinds are raised at set intervals, or levels. This keeps the action going and puts a definite end point on the game. Otherwise, players could just keep folding their hands and the game would go on for hours or days. Once the two blinds are posted, the player to the left of the big blind is the "first to act" and has the option of folding, calling the big blind bet, or raising. Play continues around to the button. Then the player who posted the small blind has the option to call or raise the bets so far. And the same goes for the player who posted the big blind. If no one raised the big blind then that player has the option to "check" and the flop will be dealt. There are no more forced bets after the flop and first person to the left of the button will be the first to act in subsequent betting rounds.

Side Pots

A side pot is created when a player calls a bet but doesn't have enough chips to cover the bet or if a player raises when another player is already all-in. The main pot will only hold the chips that every player contributed equally to. The overflow bets go into the side pot, which the all-in player did not contribute to and therefore cannot win. There can be multiple side pots if there are multiple all-in players. The last side pot created is the first side pot awarded after the showdown. The main pot is awarded last. Players who fold before the showdown forfeit their right to all pots, including the main pot.

Poker Hands

Poker Hands from strongest to weakest. Royal flush A royal flush is an ace high straight flush. For example, A-K-Q-J-10 all of diamonds. Straight flush A straight flush is a five-card straight, all in the same suit. For example, 7-6-5-4-3 all of clubs. Four of a kind Four of a kind Four of a kind, or quads, are four cards of equal value. For example, four jacks. Full house A full house contains a set (3) of cards of one value and a pair of another value. For example, Q-Q-Q-2-2. Flush Flush A flush is any 5 cards, all of the same suit. For example, K-Q-9-6-3 all of diamonds. Straight Straight Five cards of sequential value. Every possible straight will contain either a 5 or a 10. For example, 7-6-5-4-3 with different suits. Three of a kind Three of a kind Three cards of the same value. For example, three aces. Two pairs Two pairs This is two cards of one value and another two cards of another value. For example, two jacks and two 8s. Pair Pair One pair is two cards of the same rank. For example, two queens. High card High card The hand with the highest card(s) wins. If two or more players hold the highest card, a kicker comes into play (see below).