Each player has seven cards with which to form a five-card hand that outranks that of the other players.

The game

The maximum number of players authorized to play Texas Hold'Em at the same time is ten (10).

The marker

At the beginning of each game, a puck is moved clockwise to each play position to determine the dealing order and the order of the betting rounds. At the beginning of the first game, the puck is placed in front of the first position on the right side of the dealer.

Blind bets

Blind bets must be posted by the first and second players on the left of the position identified by the puck. Each of these players must post a "small blind" and a "big blind" before the first card is dealt. The amount of these bets must be within the limits indicated on the dealer.

The first dealing round and the first betting round

Beginning with the first player on the left of the player identified by the puck, the dealer gives each player in turn a first card, dealt face down, and then again, a second card, also dealt face down. Once all players have received both their cards, the first betting round begins. Players may call the big blind, raise, or fold.

"The Flop" and the second betting round

The dealer burns the top card and then deals three community cards called "The Flop." Players then proceed with the second betting round.

"The Turn" and the third betting round

The dealer burns the top card and then deals a fourth community card called "The Turn." A third betting round follows.

"The River" and the fourth betting round

The dealer burns the top card and then deals a fifth community card called "The River." A fourth and final betting round then takes place.

Player options

During the betting rounds, situation permitting, the player may:

• Pass (Check): Decline to place a bet but retain the right to do so later if an opponent places a bet
• Bet: Place a bet in the pot
• Call: Match the preceding player's bet
• Raise: Bet an amount higher than the amount bet by the preceding player.
• Fold: Stop placing bets and forfeit the right to win the pot

The showdown

During the showdown, each player who is still in the game and still has his two cards forms the highest possible ranking five-card poker hand in order to win the pot. He may use his two cards and three of the five community cards, one of his two cards and four of the five community cards, or all five community cards.

The pot

The player with the highest ranking hand at the end of the showdown wins the pot. If two or more players have identical hands, the pot is split evenly among these players.

The cards

Texas Hold'em is played with a standard fifty-two card deck. In decreasing order, the rank of the cards is as follows: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2. An Ace may be used to complete a straight flush or an Ace-2-3-4-5 straight. 

The combinations

The ranking of Texas Hold'em Poker combinations, in decreasing order, is as follows:
Royal flush: Ace-King-Queen-Jack-10 of the same suit
Straight flush: Five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking
Four-of-a-kind: Four cards of the same rank
Full house: Three-of-a-kind and a pair
Flush: Five cards of the same suit
Straight: Five cards in consecutive ranking, regardless of suit
Three-of-a-kind: Three cards of the same rank
Two pairs: Two pairs
Pair: Two cards of the same rank
High card: The highest ranking card

When more than one five-card hand contains identical combinations, the five-card hand with the highest ranking card that is not part of any of the above combinations is the winning hand. However, if all the cards that are not part of a combination are of equal rank, the hands are considered to be identical.