How a poker game works

What actually happens during a poker game?

If you’re new to poker, watching a game can be confusing.

The first thing to understand is that a poker game is really just a long succession of hands. Each hand begins with each player receiving their cards, and it ends with one player winning the pot. Then, the cards are shuffled and a new hand begins. Repeat this again and again, and you have a poker game!

A hand of Texas Hold’em begins with each player being dealt two ‘hole cards’. These are private cards that only they can see. Depending on how strong their hole cards are, each player decides whether or not he wants to play the hand.

He doesn’t have long to decide – immediately the first round of betting begins.

Starting with the dealer, each player takes it in turn to either bet some chips into the pot, or surrender their cards by folding their hand. Those who fold take no further part in the hand.

The flop

Once everybody’s acted, it’s time for the second phase of the hand – the ‘flop’. Three community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. These cards are known as the ‘flop’. Each player combines the three flop cards with his two private hole cards to make a unique poker hand. Players take a few moments to decide whether the flop has given them a strong hand or not, before a second betting round begins.

This betting round works just like before. Each player takes it in turn to either bet some chips into the pot, or surrender their cards by folding their hand. Those who fold take no further part in the hand.

The turn

Once each player has taken part in the second round of betting, it’s time for the next stage of the hand. A fourth community card is dealt face up – called the turn card. Now, each player has four community cards to combine with his two hole cards. Players take a moment to decide whether the turn card has helped them, or helped their opponents, and a third round of betting begins.

Once again, each player takes it in turn to either put chips into the pot or fold.

The river

Next, a fifth card is dealt face up – called the river card. Now, all the community cards are revealed – and each player knows exactly what his poker hand is. The players left in the hand take part in one final round of betting. Just like before, each player takes it in turns to either put chips into the pot or fold their hand.

The showdown

Once the river betting is over, there are no more cards to come. The remaining players turn their cards face up, and the player with the best hand takes the pot.

After that, the cards are shuffled – and a new hand begins!

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