*Click for full Rules. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager. 30 day expiry from deposit. 18+. Free Spins: on MONOPOLY Paradise Mansion. 1p coin size, max lines. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. Live Casino offer (if eligible and if offered): *Click for full Rules. New members only, must use promo code. Only 1 promo code per unique member. Min £10 deposit. Must wager £50 on Signature Blackjack within 30 days from deposit. **£10 lifetime deposit for Daily Free Games.

How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker

Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker played today, both online and in live games.

This version of poker entered the mainstream once they started showing high stakes poker tournaments live on television, after which the game took off in popularity - with it now being played by millions of people all over the world, both on and offline.

We have created an extensive how to play Texas Hold'em Poker guide for those new players still getting the hang of the classic game.

Basic Rules of Texas Hold'em Poker (For Beginners)

1. Each player is dealt two private cards known as the 'hole cards'.

2. The dealer then deals five cards face-down to the middle of the table, these cards are known as 'community cards'.

3. The community cards are used by everyone still in the game. You can combine the community cards with the two private cards you were dealt at the beginning of the game to form the best possible poker hand.

4. Throughout the progress of the hand, the community cards will be revealed in batches, which are separated by rounds of betting. The first three cards are revealed at the same time – these cards are known as 'the flop'. The fourth card, also known as 'the turn', is then revealed. The fifth and final card that is revealed is known as 'the river'.

5. Whoever has the best poker hand among those still playing the round will win and collect all of the chips in the middle of the table.

Betting Rounds in Texas Hold'em Poker

Most advanced poker players will tell you that the key to really learning how to play poker properly is to study the betting part of the game. Betting is arguably where the game really begins for Texas Hold’em, both in live and online poker.

Pre-Flop

A round of betting takes place when the players receive their hole cards. Bets are then taken from players before the community cards are revealed.

The Flop

A round of betting takes place after the first three community cards are revealed.

The Turn

Another round of betting takes place after the fourth community card is dealt.

The River

A final round of betting takes place after the final community card is drawn.

Variations of Texas Hold'em Poker

There are many different variations of Texas Hold'em Poker available, which are listed below.

Limit Texas Hold'em - there is a pre-determined betting limit on each round of betting.
No Limit Texas Hold'em - a player can bet any amount, up to all their chips.
Pot Limit Texas Hold'em - a player can bet any amount, up to the size of the pot.
Mixed Texas Hold'em - the game switches between rounds of Limit Texas Hold'em and No Limit.

More About Texas Hold'em Poker Online

Make sure you read the rest of our how to play Texas Hold'em Poker guides to learn more about the game of online poker.

Texas Hold'em Poker Hand Rankings - learn about the hand rankings used in online poker.

Online Poker v Live Poker - learn the key differences between online and offline poker.

Online Poker Etiquette - learn how to conduct yourself when playing online poker.

Poker Glossary - learn about the different terms used in online poker.