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The objective of Hold’em
The explanation below covers the main points. 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. Read this alongside the related information on this site.
A standard deck and private cards — details
The explanation below covers the main points. 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. A careful reading can help you distinguish the different situations.
Blinds start the action — details
This section explains what to expect. 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. The surrounding sections explain the related topics in more detail.
The pre-flop round — details
The key details are straightforward. 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. These details provide context for the choices described here.
The flop, turn and river
For this topic, keep the following in mind. 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
The explanation below covers the main points. 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. The same principles apply each time you use this part of the site.
Bet or raise
Here is the context for this part of the site. 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. Use this explanation as a reference during your next visit.
All-in and side pots — details
For this topic, keep the following in mind. 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. Revisit the relevant section if a detail is unclear.
Showdown and ties
The key details are straightforward. 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. The surrounding sections explain the related topics in more detail.
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. A careful reading can help you distinguish the different situations.