How to Play

The objective of Hold’em

This section explains what to expect. Win the chips in a pot by holding the best eligible five-card poker hand at showdown, or by being the only player who has not folded. Your two private cards combine with up to five community cards. The best hand may use two, one or none of your private cards. A careful reading can help you distinguish the different situations.

A standard deck and private cards

For this topic, keep the following in mind. The game shuffles 52 distinct cards without jokers for every new hand. Each player receives two face-down cards. You see your own cards, while computer opponents' cards stay hidden during ordinary betting and are revealed only for non-folded hands at showdown. Revisit the relevant section if a detail is unclear.

Blinds start the action

For this topic, keep the following in mind. Small and big blinds are forced bets that create a starting pot. They count toward those players' bets for the pre-flop round. In games with three or more players, the first player to act is immediately to the left of the big blind. Use this explanation as a reference during your next visit.

The pre-flop round — details

Consider these points when using this feature. When it is your turn, compare your private cards, position and the price to continue. Calling matches the current wager as far as your stack allows. Raising increases the wager for other players, while folding gives up your claim to every pot in that hand. If a question remains, the FAQ form provides a way to contact the operator.

The flop, turn and river

This section explains what to expect. After pre-flop betting, the flop reveals three cards. The next two streets each add one card, called the turn and river. A card is burned before each reveal, and a new betting round begins with the first eligible player to the left of the button. Keeping the full context in mind helps avoid misunderstandings.

Check or call

Here is the context for this part of the site. Check is available when you do not owe chips to match the current wager. Call commits the amount you owe, or all remaining chips if your stack is shorter. Calling all-in keeps your hand eligible for the appropriate pot without requiring chips you do not have. Revisit the relevant section if a detail is unclear.

Bet or raise

The explanation below covers the main points. A bet opens a street with a wager; a raise increases an existing one. Enter the total amount you want committed on that street in the number field. The amount already posted on that street is included in that total, so the engine deducts only the difference. If a question remains, the FAQ form provides a way to contact the operator.

All-in and side pots — details

A useful starting point is the following overview. All-in commits your remaining stack and prevents further decisions until the next hand. Other players who still have chips can continue betting into side pots. When no further betting is possible, the remaining community cards are dealt and the eligible hands are compared. These details provide context for the choices described here.

Showdown and ties — details

For this topic, keep the following in mind. Hand categories are compared first, then the ranks within that category and any relevant kickers. Suits never outrank each other. Exactly tied hands split a pot; where chips cannot divide evenly, the extra chips go clockwise from the button among the tied winners. Keeping the full context in mind helps avoid misunderstandings.

Start again and review

For this topic, keep the following in mind. Use Next hand after a completed deal to move the button and continue with the current stacks. New table starts a fresh position after confirmation. With local saving enabled, your statistics and completed-hand reviews remain available from Explore until you clear them. Read this alongside the related information on this site.