Texas Hold’em is the most popular and widely played form of poker. It is a community card poker game where players are dealt two private cards (hole cards) and must combine them with five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand. The objective of the game is to win the pot by either having the best hand or by making other players fold.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how Texas Hold’em is typically played:

Dealer and blinds: Each hand begins with determining the dealer position. The player to the left of the dealer button posts the small blind, and the player to their left posts the big blind. These forced bets ensure there is always something to play for in each hand.

Hole cards: Each player at the table is then dealt two private cards face down, known as hole cards. Only the player who receives the hole cards can see them.

Betting: The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind. They can choose to fold (discard their cards and exit the hand), call (match the amount of the big blind), or raise (increase the bet amount). The betting action continues clockwise around the table until all players have either folded or contributed to the pot.

The flop: After the first round of betting, the dealer places three community cards face-up on the table. These cards are called the flop. Each player can use these community cards, in combination with their hole cards, to form the best hand.

Second round of betting: Another round of betting takes place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer button. Players can check (bet nothing), bet, call, raise, or fold, depending on the actions of the players before them.

The turn: Once the second round of betting is complete, the dealer adds another community card face-up to the table. This card is called the turn or fourth street.

Third round of betting: The remaining players participate in another round of betting, similar to the previous rounds.

The river: The dealer adds the final community card face-up on the table. This card is called the river or fifth street.

Final round of betting: After the river card is revealed, there is a final round of betting.

Showdown: If there are two or more players remaining after the final round of betting, a showdown occurs. The players reveal their hole cards, and the best five-card hand wins the pot. If two or more players have the same winning hand, the pot is split evenly among them.

New hand: After the pot is awarded, the dealer button moves one position to the left, and a new hand begins.