Objective: Form the highest ranked 5 card poker hand using any combination of 2 cards in hand (hole cards or pocket cards) and 5 community cards on the table.
Alternative win: All other players fold.
Betting Structure:
Some games may have a starting ante imposed on all players. An ante is a set amount of money that must be paid by all players that wish to be dealt into the hand before any cards are dealt.
Dealer - The player starting the hand, indicated by a small dealer icon next to his nickname. The dealer icon (button) moves clockwise around the table after each hand is played.
Small blind - A forced bet imposed on the player left of the dealer. This player will be the dealer for the next round.
Big blind - The player left of the small blind pays a forced bet twice that of the small blind. Players joining the table will need to start with a forced blind bet. The big blind is equal to the minimum bet for the pre-flop betting round.
Betting options:
Bet - Place a bet that other players must call to stay in the game.
Raise - Increase the current bet, other players must call your raise to stay in the game.
Call - Match another player's bet or raise.
Check - Remain in the hand without betting, only available if no other player has a placed a higher bet that round.
Fold - Withdraw from calling further bets on the hand; forfeit your chance at the pot.
Betting Limits:
Fixed Limit - Each game has a specified betting limit imposed, and a player cannot raise beyond this.
Pot Limit - A player may bet up to the current amount of money in the pot.
No Limit - There is no maximum, and you are allowed to bet your entire game wallet.
Game Progression:
- The dealer is decided by drawing for a high card and the blind bets are paid.
- Each player is dealt 2 cards (the "hole" or "pocket" cards), and then the first betting round begins. As the blinds are considered to be a live bet, betting starts from the player left of the big blind. Each player in turn must call the big blind, make a raise which must be called by the other players or fold the hand.
- The flop, the first 3 community cards are dealt on the table, followed by a new betting round.
- The turn, the fourth community card is dealt, followed by a new betting round.
- The river, last community card is dealt, followed by the last betting round.
- After all bets are called in the last betting round, the remaining players in the hand must show their cards to determine the winner.