Texas Hold’em poker now is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly versions of poker. It’s fast-paced, strategic, and easy to learn—even if you’ve never played a card game before. If you’re new to the poker table, this guide will walk you through the basics so you can join your first game with confidence.

Understanding the Objective

The main goal in Texas Hold’em is to win chips by either forming the best five-card hand or by getting all your opponents to fold. You’ll use a combination of two private cards (called hole cards) and five shared community cards to build your best possible hand.

The Setup and the Deal

A standard game uses a 52-card deck and typically includes 2 to 10 players. Before the cards are dealt, two players to the left of the dealer post forced bets called the small blind and big blind. These create the initial pot and start the action.

Each player is then dealt two cards face down—these are your hole cards and only you can see them. The game then proceeds through four stages of betting and card dealing.

The Four Betting Rounds

Pre-Flop

After everyone receives their hole cards, a round of betting begins. Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, players can choose to fold, call (match the big blind), or raise.

The Flop

Three community cards are dealt face up on the table. These cards are shared by all players. A second betting round takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

The Turn

A fourth community card is revealed. Another round of betting begins.

The River

The fifth and final community card is dealt. This is followed by the last round of betting before the showdown.

The Showdown

If more than one player remains after the final betting round, all players reveal their hole cards. The winner is the player with the best five-card hand, using any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards. If two or more players have the same hand, the pot is split between them.

Basic Poker Hand Rankings

Here are the poker hands ranked from strongest to weakest:

• Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all the same suit

• Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit

• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank

• Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair

• Flush: Any five cards of the same suit

• Straight: Five consecutive cards, any suit

• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank

• Two Pair: Two different pairs

• One Pair: Two cards of the same rank

• High Card: The highest single card when no other hand is made

Common Poker Actions

• Fold: Surrender your hand and any chips you’ve contributed to the pot

• Check: Pass the action to the next player without betting

• Call: Match the current bet

• Raise: Increase the size of the current bet

• All-In: Bet all your remaining chips

Table Position and Its Importance

Your seat at the table affects when you act during each betting round. Players who act later have more information and can make better decisions. Being in a “late position” like the dealer or cutoff gives you a strategic advantage.

Simple Tips for First-Timers

• Stick to strong hands like high pairs or suited connectors when starting out

• Fold often—it’s better to be cautious than to play weak hands out of curiosity

• Watch other players and learn from their decisions

• Keep your emotions in check and don’t chase losses

• Focus on learning hand rankings and when to bet, call, or fold

FAQ

Is Texas Hold’em hard to learn?
No. The rules are simple and most people can learn the basics in one session. However, mastering the game takes time and experience.

Do I need to memorize all hand rankings before I play?
It helps to know them, but you can also keep a reference chart nearby as you learn. Over time, they’ll become second nature.

What should I focus on in my first game?
Focus on understanding the flow of the game, hand strength, and when to fold. Don’t worry about advanced strategies at first—just get comfortable with the basics.