How to Play Texas Hold’em
Learn the rules, practise your decisions and discover how poker hands are ranked in this interactive trainer.
Your Poker Table
Start a hand to begin playing.
How Texas Hold’em Works
Every player receives two private cards. Five community cards are dealt face up. Your goal is to make the best five-card poker hand, or win by getting your opponents to fold.
Pre-flop
Each player receives two private cards. The small blind and big blind post forced bets before the first betting round.
The Flop
Three community cards are placed face up. Players can now combine their private cards with the board.
The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt, followed by another betting round. The strength of hands may change.
The River
The fifth and final community card is revealed. This is the last betting round before a showdown.
The Showdown
Remaining players reveal their cards. The best five-card hand wins the pot. You can use zero, one or both of your private cards.
Understanding Poker Actions
Give up your hand and forfeit any chips already contributed to the pot.
Pass the action without betting, when no additional call is required.
Match the current bet to continue in the hand.
Increase the bet, forcing other players to call, raise or fold.
Poker Hand Rankings
Hands are listed from strongest to weakest.
Beginner Tips
- Be selective: starting with stronger hands can make decisions easier.
- Position matters: acting later gives you more information about other players' actions.
- Think about the whole board: your opponents may have a stronger five-card hand.
- Know when to fold: you do not need to continue with every hand.
- Practise first: use the simulator to learn the sequence of play without risking money.
This educational simulator uses fictional chips and simplified computer-controlled opponents. It is designed to teach basic poker mechanics, not to predict real-game outcomes. Poker involves risk when played for money. Only adults should participate in gambling where legally permitted.