How to Play
Texas Hold’em & Pot-Limit Omaha — learn the game, step by step.
← Back to websiteTexas Hold’em
Your private cards
Illustration of two private cards: ace of spades and king of hearts.
Make the best five-card poker hand using any combination of your two private cards and the five community cards. You may use both, one or neither of your hole cards. You can also win when every other player folds.
2 private cards · 5 shared cards · Best 5-card hand
Setup
A standard 52-card deck is used. The small blind and big blind post compulsory bets. Each player receives two cards face down. The dealer button moves clockwise after each hand.
1. Pre-Flop
At tables with three or more players, action begins immediately left of the big blind. Players may fold, call or raise. The big blind may check if no one has raised.
2. Flop
Three community cards are revealed. Betting starts with the first active player clockwise from the dealer button. Players may check if no bet is outstanding, or bet, call, raise or fold as appropriate.
3. Turn
The fourth community card is revealed, followed by another betting round.
4. River
The fifth and final community card is revealed, followed by the final betting round.
5. Showdown
If two or more players remain, the best five-card hand wins. Equal winning hands split the pot. If everyone except one player folds earlier, the remaining player wins without a showdown.
Betting structure
Texas Hold’em can use No-Limit, Pot-Limit or Fixed-Limit betting. In No-Limit Hold’em, a player may bet up to their remaining stack, subject to minimum bet and raise rules. Confirm the format and limits with the dealer.
Heads-up exception
When only two players are playing, the button posts the small blind and acts first before the flop. The big blind acts first after the flop.
Pot-Limit Omaha
Your private cards
Illustration of four private cards: ace of spades, king of diamonds, jack of clubs and nine of hearts.
This beginner guide covers standard four-card Omaha High. Each player receives four private cards. To make a five-card hand, use exactly two private cards and exactly three community cards.
Exactly 2 private cards + exactly 3 shared cards
Setup
Use a standard 52-card deck, a dealer button, a small blind and a big blind. Four private cards are dealt to each player. Five community cards are revealed over the hand.
Game flow
Pre-Flop → Flop → Turn → River → Showdown. The flop reveals three shared cards; the turn adds a fourth; the river adds a fifth. Betting takes place before the flop and after each community-card stage.
Pot-Limit betting
When no bet is outstanding, the maximum bet is the current pot. When facing a bet, the maximum raise equals the pot after including your call. An all-in wager must still be within the permitted pot limit. Ask the dealer to confirm a pot-sized raise.
Pot-size example
Suppose the pot is 100 chips and another player bets 50. The pot is now 150. Your 50-chip call would make it 200, so your maximum raise is another 200: a total contribution of 250 chips for that action, if you have enough chips.
Common mistake: making a flush
Even if five hearts appear on the board, holding only one heart does not give you an Omaha flush. You need two hearts among your private cards and three hearts from the board.
Showdown
The best five-card high hand wins, using exactly two private and three shared cards. Equal winning hands share the pot. Everyone else folding also wins the pot before showdown.
Other Omaha variants
Five-card and six-card Omaha also exist. They still require exactly two private cards and three shared cards for the final hand. Omaha Hi/Lo has additional rules and is not covered here. Confirm the variant before joining a table.
Your Actions
Check: Pass without adding chips when no additional amount is owed.
Bet: Open the betting in a round.
Call: Match the amount required to continue.
Raise: Increase the current wager.
Fold: Give up your hand and any claim to the pot.
Hand Rankings
From strongest to weakest. Standard rankings apply to Texas Hold’em and Omaha High.
Royal Flush
A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
Ace-high straight flush.
Straight Flush
9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥
Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind
A♠ A♥ A♦ A♣ K♠
Four cards of one rank.
Full House
K♠ K♥ K♦ 7♣ 7♥
Three of a kind plus a pair.
Flush
A♦ J♦ 8♦ 5♦ 2♦
Five cards of one suit, not consecutive.
Straight
9♠ 8♥ 7♦ 6♣ 5♠
Five consecutive ranks, with mixed suits.
Three of a Kind
Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 9♣ 4♥
Three cards of one rank.
Two Pair
J♠ J♥ 6♦ 6♣ A♥
Two different pairs.
One Pair
10♠ 10♥ K♦ 8♣ 3♥
Two cards of one rank.
High Card
A♠ J♥ 8♦ 5♣ 2♥
No pair or higher combination.
Suits have equal rank. Compare the highest relevant ranks and then kickers to break ties. Aces may be high or low in a straight: A–2–3–4–5 is the lowest straight, and 10–J–Q–K–A is the highest.
Before You Take Your Seat
Confirm the game variant, blinds, buy-in, betting limits and house rules with the dealer. Act in turn, protect your cards and respect other players. This is a beginner guide; it does not replace the club’s house rules.