For Men | For Women | Gambling

Hold 'em Poker

The game is played as follows:
First, be aware that many tables have betting limits. A minimum, and a maximum bet. For example, a 25¢/50¢ game means the minimum bet is 25¢. The maximum bet is 50¢.
 

1. One player is the dealer. The two players to the left of the dealer make "blind" bets. The first player makes a bet that is equal to half the minimum bet at the table. This is known as the "small blind". The second player makes a bet equal to the minimum table bet. This is the "big blind".

2. Two cards are dealt face down to each player on the table.

3. The player to the left of the Big Blind begins play. He/she may choose to call (which means match the bet on the table), raise, or fold. This continues to the left until the betting round is completed.

4. The first three face up cards are then dealt at the same time. This is known as the "flop".

5. The next betting round begins with player to the left of the dealer and continues to the left. If there is no bet on the table, a player may bet or check (which means to neither bet, nor fold - the turn simply passes to the next player). If there is a bet on the table, a player may call, raise or fold.

6. After the close of the betting round, the next card is dealt, face up. This card is called the "turn".

7. The next round of betting occurs. For this and the final round the value of a bet increases to the table maximum.

8. After the close of the betting round, the final card is dealt. This card is known as the "River"

9. The final betting round takes place. At the conclusion of betting, the best hand takes the pot.

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   Remember:
   - A round of betting is finished when all players have acted, and contributed equally to the pot. There can be at most three raises per hand.
   - During the first two betting rounds all bets and raises are equal to the table minimum bet.
   - During the last two betting rounds, all bets and raises are equal to the table maximum bet.