Driven by the popularity of televised poker, Texas Hold'em (more commonly, ‘Hold'em') has become the world's most popular poker game, both in live casinos and online at PokerStars. We'll go into more detail below, but here are the key points you need to know:
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- Every player is dealt two cards, for their eyes only
- The dealer spreads five cards - three at once, then another, then another - which can be used by all players to make their best possible five-card hand
- Before and after each card(s) is revealed, players take turns to bet. To stay in the hand and see the next card, all players must have put the same amount of chips in the pot as each other
- The best poker hand wins the pot
It's a simple game to learn, yet has the potential to be played with a seemingly infinite variety of strategies, tactics and nuance.
The Rules of Texas Hold'em
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- Using your mouse, select a single Round of play.Then click the Deal button to start playing. In each round of betting you may fold, call (match a bet), raise, check (bet nothing), or go all in.
To get started, download our free poker software and create a new Stars Account now - it only takes a couple of minutes. Choose your username (which will be your nickname at the tables), select a password and confirm your email address. Once your registration is complete, you will receive virtual play money chips to join our free games.
Before you begin playing Hold'em, you'll want to learn the rules. In Hold'em, each player is dealt two private cards (known as ‘hole cards') that belong to them alone. Five community cards are dealt face-up, to form the ‘board'. All players in the game use these shared community cards in conjunction with their own hole cards to each make their best possible five-card poker hand. In Hold'em, a player may use any combination of the seven cards available to make the best possible five-card poker hand, using zero, one or two of their private hole cards. To view the rankings of poker hands, visit the poker hand ranks page.
The four major variations of Hold'em are distinguished from each other by their betting limits:
- 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 of 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 Texas Hold'em.
Each of these Hold'em variations are available to play on PokerStars for free (play money) or for real money.
How to Play Texas Hold'em
To learn to play Hold'em using a hands-on method, PokerStars offers free poker games in the poker room. To start practicing your poker skills, just visit the free poker download page, install the award-winning poker software, and you'll be learning Hold'em in no time.
However, if you'd rather familiarize yourself with the rules of Hold'em first, then these instructions should help.
The Blinds
In Hold'em, a marker called ‘the button' or ‘the dealer button' indicates which player is the nominal dealer for the current game. Before the game begins, the player immediately clockwise from the button posts the 'small blind', the first forced bet. The player immediately clockwise from the small blind posts the 'big blind', which is typically twice the size of the small blind, but the blinds can vary depending on the stakes and betting structure being played.
In Limit games, the big blind is the same as the small bet, and the small blind is typically half the size of the big blind but may be larger depending on the stakes. For example, in a €2/€4 Limit game the small blind is €1 and the big blind is €2. In a €15/€30 Limit game, the small blind is €10 and the big blind is €15
In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the games are referred to by the size of their blinds (for example, a €1/€2 Hold'em game has a small blind of €1 and a big blind of €2).
Depending on the exact structure of the game, each player may also be required to post an ‘ante' (another type of forced bet, usually smaller than either blind, posted by all players at the table) into the pot.
Now, each player receives his or her two hole cards. Betting action proceeds clockwise around the table, starting with the player ‘under the gun' (immediately clockwise from the big blind).
Player Betting Options
In Hold'em, as with other forms of poker, the available actions are ‘fold', ‘check', ‘bet', ‘call' or ‘raise'. Exactly which options are available depends on the action taken by the previous players. If nobody has yet made a bet, then a player may either check (decline to bet, but keep their cards) or bet. If a player has bet, then subsequent players can fold, call or raise. To call is to match the amount the previous player has bet. To raise is to not only match the previous bet, but to also increase it.
Pre-Flop
After seeing his or her hole cards, each player now has the option to play his or her hand by calling or raising the big blind. The action begins to the left of the big blind, which is considered a ‘live' bet on this round. That player has the option to fold, call or raise. For example, if the big blind was €2, it would cost €2 to call, or at least €4 to raise. Action then proceeds clockwise around the table.
Note: The betting structure varies with different variations of the game. Explanations of the betting action in Limit Hold'em, No Limit Hold'em, and Pot Limit Hold'em can be found below.
Betting continues on each betting round until all active players (who have not folded) have placed equal bets in the pot.
The Flop
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Now, three cards are dealt face-up on the board. This is known as ‘the flop'. In Hold'em, the three cards on the flop are community cards, available to all players still in the hand. Betting on the flop begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. The betting options are similar to pre-flop, however if nobody has previously bet, players may opt to check, passing the action to the next active player clockwise.
The Turn
When the betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn' is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in Hold'em (and is sometimes also called ‘Fourth Street'). Another round of betting ensues, beginning with the active player immediately clockwise from the button.
The River
Silver reef casino buffet price. When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river' or ‘Fifth Street' is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in a Hold'em game. Betting again begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button, and the same betting rules apply as they do for the flop and turn, as explained above.
The Showdown
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If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last person to bet or raise shows their cards, unless there was no bet on the final round in which case the player immediately clockwise from the button shows their cards first. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands. Hold'em rules state that all suits are equal.
After the pot is awarded, a new hand of Hold'em is ready to be played. The button now moves clockwise to the next player, blinds and antes are once again posted, and new hands are dealt to each player.
Limit, No Limit, Pot Limit and Mixed Texas Hold'em
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Pai gow poker bonus bet. Hold'em rules remain the same for Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit poker games, with a few exceptions:
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- Limit Texas Hold'em
Betting in Limit Hold'em is in pre-determined, structured amounts. Pre-flop and on the flop, all bets and raises are of the same amount as the big blind. On the turn and the river, the size of all bets and raises doubles. In Limit Hold'em, up to four bets are allowed per player during each betting round. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap (final raise). - No Limit Texas Hold'em
The minimum bet in No Limit Hold'em is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet as much more as they want, up to all of their chips.
Minimum raise: In No Limit Hold'em, the raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets €5 then the second player must raise a minimum of €5 (total bet of €10).
Maximum raise: The size of your stack (your chips on the table).
In No Limit Hold'em, there is no ‘cap' on the number of raises allowed. - Pot Limit Texas Hold'em
The minimum bet in Pot Limit Hold'em is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet up to the size of the pot.
Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets €5 then the second player must raise a minimum of €5 (total bet of €10).
Maximum raise: The size of the pot, which is defined as the total of the active pot plus all bets on the table plus the amount the active player must first call before raising.
Example: If the size of the pot is €100, and there is no previous action on a particular betting round, a player may bet a maximum of €100. After that bet, the action moves to the next player clockwise. That player can either fold, call €100, or raise any amount between the minimum (€100 more) and the maximum. The maximum bet in this case is €400 - the raiser would first call €100, bringing the pot size to €300, and then raise €300 more, making a total bet of €400.
In Pot Limit Hold'em, there is no ‘cap' on the number of raises allowed. - Mixed Texas Hold'em
In Mixed Hold'em, the game switches between rounds of Limit Hold'em and No Limit Hold'em. The blinds are typically increased when the game switches from No Limit to Limit, to ensure some consistency in the average pot size in each game. The betting rules on each round follow the rules for that game, as described above.
In the PokerStars software, it's not possible to bet less than the minimum or more than the maximum. The bet slider and bet window will only allow you to bet amounts within the allowed thresholds.
Learn How to Play Texas Hold'em for Free
If you want to learn how to play Hold'em, then download the PokerStars software and join any of the free poker games where you can play online against other players. Unlike our real money poker games, since there is nothing at stake, you can be comfortable learning the ropes of the game and all the rules of Hold'em. We hope to see you in our poker room, and good luck at the tables!
As well as Texas Hold'em, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.
Thanks for visiting our guide to Hold'em at PokerStars. If you have any questions, please contact Support.
Find out how the different hands compare in Texas Hold'em, Omaha and other games. Is there a casino at grand oasis cancun.
The poker dictionary is your reference for poker jargon and the language of poker.
Make your first real money deposit and start playing at PokerStars. Deposits are fast and secure.
Taking your first steps can be difficult, and if you haven't ever played before you might not want to risk your own money straight away. That's why we offer free games so that you can test things out and get a feel for the game.
To get started playing for free:
- Download our free, secure software and create your new Stars Account
- Select ‘Play Money' in the software (you can play for free in both the desktop and mobile software)
- Take your pick from the web's largest choice of free ring games, tournaments, Sit & Go's and more!
You can find more detailed information below, as well as how to claim a great free offer when you're ready to play for real money.
How to play free poker
At our free tables, all that is at stake is play money, and you can always get more chips when you run out! Thousands of players try out our play money tournaments and ring games every day, as it's the perfect way to learn the game and refine your online strategy.
To get started, download our free poker software and create a new Stars Account now - it only takes a couple of minutes. Choose your username (which will be your nickname at the tables), select a password and confirm your email address. Once your registration is complete, you will receive virtual play money chips to join our free games.
There are two main types of online poker game: ring games and tournaments. Ring games are the ‘classic' type of game than can be joined, and left, at any time. Players can choose how much of their real or virtual funds - known as their bankroll - to bring to the table, and are free to top-up or buy-in again if they lose their chips (and have more in reserve). Tournaments start at a specific time, or when a certain amount of players have registered, and usually require a one-off buy-in to play. Players who lose all their chips in a tournament are knocked out, until there is just one winner remaining. The combined prize pool of all the players' buy-ins is shared between the players who last the longest, with the winner receiving the greatest share.
To try our free games, open the software, and select the ‘Play Money' option. Then simply choose the game you want to play. If you run out of play money chips, take a seat at a ring game table and you'll receive a free top-up.
Real money and play money
There are plenty of options and games available when playing with play money, and if you wish to play for real money, you can deposit funds into your account and take advantage of our first deposit offer. To see your current balance, of both real and play money, just open the ‘Cashier'.
We offer a huge range of different poker games and tournament formats in both free and real money variants.
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Now, three cards are dealt face-up on the board. This is known as ‘the flop'. In Hold'em, the three cards on the flop are community cards, available to all players still in the hand. Betting on the flop begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. The betting options are similar to pre-flop, however if nobody has previously bet, players may opt to check, passing the action to the next active player clockwise.
The Turn
When the betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn' is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in Hold'em (and is sometimes also called ‘Fourth Street'). Another round of betting ensues, beginning with the active player immediately clockwise from the button.
The River
Silver reef casino buffet price. When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river' or ‘Fifth Street' is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in a Hold'em game. Betting again begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button, and the same betting rules apply as they do for the flop and turn, as explained above.
The Showdown
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If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last person to bet or raise shows their cards, unless there was no bet on the final round in which case the player immediately clockwise from the button shows their cards first. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands. Hold'em rules state that all suits are equal.
After the pot is awarded, a new hand of Hold'em is ready to be played. The button now moves clockwise to the next player, blinds and antes are once again posted, and new hands are dealt to each player.
Limit, No Limit, Pot Limit and Mixed Texas Hold'em
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Pai gow poker bonus bet. Hold'em rules remain the same for Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit poker games, with a few exceptions:
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- Limit Texas Hold'em
Betting in Limit Hold'em is in pre-determined, structured amounts. Pre-flop and on the flop, all bets and raises are of the same amount as the big blind. On the turn and the river, the size of all bets and raises doubles. In Limit Hold'em, up to four bets are allowed per player during each betting round. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap (final raise). - No Limit Texas Hold'em
The minimum bet in No Limit Hold'em is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet as much more as they want, up to all of their chips.
Minimum raise: In No Limit Hold'em, the raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets €5 then the second player must raise a minimum of €5 (total bet of €10).
Maximum raise: The size of your stack (your chips on the table).
In No Limit Hold'em, there is no ‘cap' on the number of raises allowed. - Pot Limit Texas Hold'em
The minimum bet in Pot Limit Hold'em is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet up to the size of the pot.
Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets €5 then the second player must raise a minimum of €5 (total bet of €10).
Maximum raise: The size of the pot, which is defined as the total of the active pot plus all bets on the table plus the amount the active player must first call before raising.
Example: If the size of the pot is €100, and there is no previous action on a particular betting round, a player may bet a maximum of €100. After that bet, the action moves to the next player clockwise. That player can either fold, call €100, or raise any amount between the minimum (€100 more) and the maximum. The maximum bet in this case is €400 - the raiser would first call €100, bringing the pot size to €300, and then raise €300 more, making a total bet of €400.
In Pot Limit Hold'em, there is no ‘cap' on the number of raises allowed. - Mixed Texas Hold'em
In Mixed Hold'em, the game switches between rounds of Limit Hold'em and No Limit Hold'em. The blinds are typically increased when the game switches from No Limit to Limit, to ensure some consistency in the average pot size in each game. The betting rules on each round follow the rules for that game, as described above.
In the PokerStars software, it's not possible to bet less than the minimum or more than the maximum. The bet slider and bet window will only allow you to bet amounts within the allowed thresholds.
Learn How to Play Texas Hold'em for Free
If you want to learn how to play Hold'em, then download the PokerStars software and join any of the free poker games where you can play online against other players. Unlike our real money poker games, since there is nothing at stake, you can be comfortable learning the ropes of the game and all the rules of Hold'em. We hope to see you in our poker room, and good luck at the tables!
As well as Texas Hold'em, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.
Thanks for visiting our guide to Hold'em at PokerStars. If you have any questions, please contact Support.
Find out how the different hands compare in Texas Hold'em, Omaha and other games. Is there a casino at grand oasis cancun.
The poker dictionary is your reference for poker jargon and the language of poker.
Make your first real money deposit and start playing at PokerStars. Deposits are fast and secure.
Taking your first steps can be difficult, and if you haven't ever played before you might not want to risk your own money straight away. That's why we offer free games so that you can test things out and get a feel for the game.
To get started playing for free:
- Download our free, secure software and create your new Stars Account
- Select ‘Play Money' in the software (you can play for free in both the desktop and mobile software)
- Take your pick from the web's largest choice of free ring games, tournaments, Sit & Go's and more!
You can find more detailed information below, as well as how to claim a great free offer when you're ready to play for real money.
How to play free poker
At our free tables, all that is at stake is play money, and you can always get more chips when you run out! Thousands of players try out our play money tournaments and ring games every day, as it's the perfect way to learn the game and refine your online strategy.
To get started, download our free poker software and create a new Stars Account now - it only takes a couple of minutes. Choose your username (which will be your nickname at the tables), select a password and confirm your email address. Once your registration is complete, you will receive virtual play money chips to join our free games.
There are two main types of online poker game: ring games and tournaments. Ring games are the ‘classic' type of game than can be joined, and left, at any time. Players can choose how much of their real or virtual funds - known as their bankroll - to bring to the table, and are free to top-up or buy-in again if they lose their chips (and have more in reserve). Tournaments start at a specific time, or when a certain amount of players have registered, and usually require a one-off buy-in to play. Players who lose all their chips in a tournament are knocked out, until there is just one winner remaining. The combined prize pool of all the players' buy-ins is shared between the players who last the longest, with the winner receiving the greatest share.
To try our free games, open the software, and select the ‘Play Money' option. Then simply choose the game you want to play. If you run out of play money chips, take a seat at a ring game table and you'll receive a free top-up.
Real money and play money
There are plenty of options and games available when playing with play money, and if you wish to play for real money, you can deposit funds into your account and take advantage of our first deposit offer. To see your current balance, of both real and play money, just open the ‘Cashier'.
We offer a huge range of different poker games and tournament formats in both free and real money variants.
Once you're comfortable with how the games work, you can also try our fast-paced Zoom tables, available in both real and play money versions.
By playing at our play money tables, you'll get a feel for everything we have to offer, as most of the special features at our regular tables are available at our free tables too.
And don't forget that however experienced you are, you can always learn, practice and improve with our free Poker School.
Free money with daily Freeroll poker tournaments
In addition to free poker games, we offer you the chance to win free money with the many freerolls that run every day. Enter these free poker tournaments and you'll have the chance to come away with real money in your account - and it's all on the house. To find freerolls, head to the ‘Tournaments tab' (desktop), or ‘Tourney' tab accessed via the Lobby (mobile), and select ‘Freeroll' from the ‘Buy-in' filter.
Once you've got to know the game software and the different games, you'll be ready to give real money a shot. Simply download our free software and start honing your skills. With a game starting every second, there is only one place to play.
If you have any queries, please visit our Help Center as this is the most efficient route to getting your questions answered.
Find out how the different hands compare in Texas Hold'em, Omaha and other games.
The poker dictionary is your reference for poker jargon and the language of poker.
Make your first real money deposit and start playing at PokerStars. Deposits are fast and secure.
