 |
Two cards are dealt face down to players around the table after the pack is shuffled. These initial cards are called ‘hole’ or ‘pocket’ cards. |
|
Round number one – the Preflop Round – now begins. The player to the left of those who placed the blinds starts betting. Players around the table, in turn, can choose their move – to fold, call or raise. |
|
The dealer burns (ie. removes) the top card in the deck. |
|
Round number two – the Flop Round – now begins. The top three cards in the deck are placed face up on the table. These are known as communal cards and can be used by players to create poker hands (together with the cards initially dealt to them). Betting recommences and, again, players can fold, call or raise. |
|
The dealer burns the top card in the deck again. |
|
The dealer flips another card onto the table to join the other three communal cards and another round of betting begins. |
|
Round number three – the River – now begins. The dealer burns one more card from the top of the deck and flips over a final card (the ‘river’) to make a total of five communal cards. |
|
A final round of wagering begins with the player to the left of the dealer. |
|
The final round – the Showdown – now begins. All players left in the game show their hands, which have been created by combining their own two dealt cards with the five communal cards. |
|
The player who manages to create the highest-ranking hand wins the game. |
