Play begins with each player being dealt two cards face down.  These cards are the player's hole or pocket cards.  These are the only cards each player will receive individually.

The hand begins with a "pre-flop" betting round, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind and continuing clockwise.  A round of betting continues until every player has either folded, put in all of their chips, or matched the amount put in by all other active players.

After the pre-flop betting round, assuming there remain at least two players taking part in the hand, the dealer deals a flop, three face-up community cards.  The flop is followed by a second betting round.  This and all subsequent betting rounds begin with the player to the dealer's left and continue clockwise.

After the flop betting round ends a single community card (called the turn or fourth street) is dealt, followed by a third betting round.

A final single community card (called the river or fifth street) is then dealt, followed by a fourth betting round and the showdown, if necessary.