Part
I: Basic Game Play
The Pre-Flop:
One player acts as dealer. The dealer position
is indicated by a white plastic chip referred
to as the button
After each round of play, the dealer button
rotates to the left, ensuring that everyone
gets to play in this and all other positions.
Before cards are dealt the forced bets must
be paid, which are called the big blind
and the small blind. The amounts of the
blinds are predetermined, and the small
blind is always half the big blind. The
little blind position is always the seat
to the left of the dealer, and the big blind
is the seat to the left of the little blind.
Starting with the dealer button, each person
is dealt two cards face down. These are
called your hole or pocket cards. The first
betting round begins with the player sitting
immediately to the left of the big blind,
and continues clockwise.
The Flop:
When the first betting round is completed,
three community cards are flipped face up
on the table. These are community cards
that each player can use to create the best
hand possible out of. The second round of
betting begins with the first remaining
player seated to the left of the button.
The betting resumes, clockwise.
The turn:
When the second round of betting is finished,
a fourth community card is flipped face
up on the table. The third round of betting
commences with the first remaining player
sitting to the left of the button. The betting
moves clockwise, with the bets doubling
on the turn.
The River:
When the third round of betting is over,
a fifth and last community card is flipped
face up on the table. The fourth round of
betting starts with the first remaining
player seated to the left of the button.
The betting continues to move clockwise.
The showdown:
After that, all of the players remaining
in the game begin to reveal their hands.
This begins with the player to the left
of the last player to call. Each player
uses his two cards, and the five community
cards to make the best possible 5-card hand.
A player can use any combination so even
if one card from his pocket cards and four
of the community cards creates the best
hand, it is fine. |
