Texas Hold'em Rules and Table Etiquette
Texas Hold'em Rules
The
Blinds
In
Texas Hold'em (Limit & No Limit), a disc generally known as "the
button" indicates which player is the nominal dealer for the current
game. Before the game begins, the player immediately clockwise / left
of the button posts the "small blind", typically half a small
bet (for example, $1 in a $2 / $4 game). The player immediately clockwise
from the small blind posts the "big blind", which is always
a full small bet ($2 in a $2/$4 game). Once the Blinds have been posted,
each player receives his or her two hole cards.
Pre-Flop
After
seeing his or her pocket cards, each player now has the option of playing
his or her hand by "calling" or "raising" the big
bet (posted by the big blind). The minimum bet must be equal to the
big blind (though if a player is considered to be "all in"
& has less than the big blind this is acceptable).
As mentioned before, the big bet is the size of a full small bet. Thus
in a $2/$4 Texas Hold'em game, it would cost $2 to call in this initial
round of betting (known as the "pre-flop").
In Texas Hold'em the available actions are bet, call or raise. These
options are available depending on the action taken by the previous
player. Every poker player always has the option to fold. The first
player to act has the option to bet, call or raise. Subsequent players
have the option of calling or raising. To call is to bet the same amount
as the previous player has bet. To raise is to match the previous bet
and increase the bet.
Now,
the "flop" is dealt face-up on the board. The flop consists
of the first three community cards available to all active players still
in. Betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise / left
of the button. All bets and raises occur in small bets (increments of
$2 in a $2 / $4 game). The same rules apply from above to complete this
round of betting.
Note: The betting structure varies with different variations
of the game.
Explanations of the betting action in limit hold'em, no-limit hold'em,
and pot-limit hold'em can be found below and on the "Poker Terms"
page.
The Flop
Now
three cards are dealt face-up on the board - this is known as the flop.
In Texas Hold'em, the three cards on the flop are known as community
cards which are available to all players still in the hand. Betting
begins with the active player immediately clockwise / left of the button.
All bets and raises occur in small bets (increments of $2 in a $2/$4
Limit Hold'em game or for No Limit Hold'em, $2 up to as much as "all
in").
When
betting action is completed for the flop round, the "turn / 4th
street" is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community
card in a Texas Hold'em poker game. Play begins with the active player
immediately clockwise / left of the button. On this round, Same rules
apply as above
(except in Limit Hold'em poker where the betting "doubles"
from the small bet to the big bet. In a $2/$4 game, betting on the turn
is done in $4 increments. (Where as in No limit Hold'em you can bet
anything from the minimum bet of the big blind to all in)
The Turn
Once
the betting action is completed for the flop round, the "turn"
is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card
in Texas Hold'em. Play begins with the active player immediately clockwise
/ left of the button. On this round, the betting doubles from the small
bet to the big bet. Thus, in a $2/$4 Limit Hold'em Poker game, betting
on the turn is upped to $4 bets. (Where as in No limit Hold'em you can
bet anything from the minimum bet of the big blind, to all in)
The River
Once
the betting action is completed for the flop and the turn round, the
"river / 5th Street" is dealt face-up on the board. The river
is the fifth and final community card in a Texas Hold em game. Betting
begins with the active player immediately clockwise / left of the button
and the same poker rules apply as they do in the fourth card explained
above.
The
Showdown
If
there is more than one remaining poker player when the final betting
round is complete playing Texas Hold'em, the last bettor or raiser shows
his or her cards. If there was no bet on the final round, the player
immediately clockwise / left of the button shows his or her cards first.
The player with the best five-card hand wins the Pot (all the money
that has been bet in that game). In the event of identical hands, the
poker pot will be equally divided between the players with the best
hands.
At the end of the final betting
round, if there is more than one remaining poker player, the last bettor
or raiser shows his or her cards first. If there was no bet on the final
round, the player immediately clockwise / left of the button shows his
or her cards first. The player with the best five-card hand wins the
pot. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided
between the players with the best hands. Texas Hold'em rules state that
all suits are equal, so split pots are more common than in other variations
of poker.
After the pot is awarded, a new game of Texas Hold'em is ready to be
played. The button now moves clockwise / left to the next player as
do the blinds and new hands are dealt to each player.
Limit,
No Limit and Pot Limit Hold'em
Texas
Hold'em rules are the same for limit, no limit and pot limit poker games,
except for a few variations.
Limit Texas Hold'em
In
Limit Texas Hold'em a maximum of four bets is allowed per player during
any betting round. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise,
and (4) cap (final raise), but in No Limit Texas Hold'em and Pot Limit
Texas Hold'em there is no limit to the number of raises that a player
can make.
No Limit Texas Hold'em
Minimum
raise: In no limit Texas Hold'em, the raise amount must be at least
as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example,
if the first player to act bets $10 then the second player must raise
a minimum of $20 (total bet of $30).
The Maximum eligible raise: The size of your stack (your chips
on the table referred to as "All in").
Pot Limit Texas Hold'em
Minimum
raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous
bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to
act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total
bet of $10).
Maximum raise: The size of the poker pot, which is defined as
the total of the active pot plus all bets on the table plus the amount
the active player must first call before raising.
Home
and Private Poker Game Rules
Every
house or casino has it's own unique set of poker house rules. These
rules can differ from location to location and should be announced to
all players, especially newcomers before the start of play.
Remember, unless it's your house, it's someone else's game ... and someone
else's rules!
Every poker tournament will require at least a few general house rules,
things like whether smoking is or is not permitted etc. It is always
best to stick to 'standard' poker rules, with as few deviations as possible.
It's always
a good idea to have the rules in writing before you begin any game,
let alone a game where money is at stake! Make sure you have a printed
copy of the standard rules as well a printed copy of your house rules.
See below for some general guidelines to playing poker at your place
/ someone else's or at a "poker house".
Good manners:
Always
Be polite.
Never swear or be verbally abusive.
Be modest when you win.
Avoid criticising another player's play.
Refrain from unnecessary table chatter which could be disturbing active
players.
Do not "get the hots" for another player, or the dealer, no
matter how attractive you find them.
Be kind to the dealer. Good karma brings good cards.
Your Table Image
Manage
your table space reasonably.
Keep your chips or money on the table.
Do not handle or interfere with another player's chips or cards.
Do not stack chips in a way that interferes with the deal, the viewing
of cards, or another player.
Chips or money on the table are not to be transferred from one player
to another.
Protect your cards so that no one else can see them at all times.
Keep your cards on the table. Holding cards against your shirt or putting
them in your pocket or lap is not allowed.
It is correct for an opponent to complain when a player consistently
has the opportunity to see another player's hole cards. It is improper
to complain when someone exercises this right.
If you step away from the table, please advise the dealer of your intentions.
Play
Play
at a reasonable speed, don't cause unnecessary delays.
It is each player's responsibility to follow the flow of the game. Play
in turn. Do not act out of turn.
At no time should any player or spectator make statements that could
unfairly influence the play of a hand.
Do not comment about the cards you just threw away.
Refrain from making comments about possible hands. "The board just
paired. Someone could have a full house now!".
Betting
Do
not splash chips into the pot.
Do not string bet.
Verbally announce your action, particularly in games with non-professional
dealers.
Chips and discards should be placed as far forward as reasonably possible
to make it easier for the dealer to handle them.
When discarding your hand, do so towards the dealer at a low level of
flight so that no other player can see what you have discarded.
Do not expose any cards until the showdown.
The Showdown
Do
not mis-declare your hand.
Show your winning hand quickly. Do not "slow-roll" (allow
your opponent to think he's won when you know he hasn't).
Rabbit hunting (asking to see what cards would have appeared, had you
bet) should not be allowed.
Integrity
Every
player must play in their own self interest. Do not "soft play"
any other player(s).
Agreeing to "check-down" a hand after a player has gone All-in
is not allowed.
Coffee-housing (speaking during a hand for strategic purposes) is seen
as very un sporting & bad manners.
Asking to see called hands unnecessarily is bad manners, a waste of
time, and is generally bad for the game.
Table
Etiquette
Table
Etiquette, is a major factor in poker & can be used in many ways,
for example:
In social situations, using proper etiquette gives you self-confidence,
allows you to concentrate on more important matters, and at times, allows
you to dominate a situation against someone who does not use proper
etiquette. Poker etiquette not only makes for a much better game, but
is an acquired skill that can possibly increase a your odds of success
and profit.
Poker
etiquette are not hard & fast rules, but good manners that relate
to the orderly maintenance of the game and civility among those who
participate in the game. A player who repeatedly violates poker etiquette
can be very disruptive to the game and should be warned and disciplined
if necessary, however, as a Tournament Director or host of a private
game, use good discretion when enforcing these "rules". As
the host (and Tournament Director) of a poker tournament, you will be
faced with an awkward situation, on the one hand you want a nice easygoing
and friendly game of poker, but on the other hand, there is money involved
and it is your responsibility to ensure a fair and equitable game for
all.
The 'friend of a friend' who wants to ignore the occasional betting
out of turn or 'string bet'.
It's no big deal when Bob stuffs his hole cards into his shirt pocket
while he chews on his sandwich but as 'Tournament Director' / host you
should not allow things like this to happen. Wait until Bob goes to
a real casino for the first time and puts his hole cards in his pocket!
In short: Make your rules clear right from the start. Put them
in writing and announce a few of them before the tournament begins.
Most players will have no problems with your rules as long as they are
informed of them beforehand. If
someone has a problem with the rules that are seen as fair by everyone
else, except him or her, it can make for a difficult situation for you
as host, but you can't have once person disrupt the whole game!
Note: Beginners will make mistakes, but if you are firm but fair
they will quickly learn & not keep repeating these mistakes at the
table and a good game will ensue.
Bad Poker Etiquette
The
following actions are improper, and demand a warning, suspending, or
barring for a repeat violator:
Deliberately acting out of turn.
Deliberately splashing chips into the pot.
Agreeing to check a hand out when a third player is all-in.
Reading a hand for another player at the showdown before it has been
placed face up on the table.
Telling anyone to turn a hand face up at the showdown.
Revealing the contents of a live hand in a multi handed pot before the
betting is complete.
Needlessly stalling the action of a game.
Deliberately discarding hands away from the muck. Cards should be released
in a low line of flight, at a moderate rate of speed (not at the dealer's
hands or chip-rack).
Stacking chips in a manner that interferes with dealing or viewing cards.
Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the
current game, whether or not the offender is involved in the pot.
Using a Mobile / cell phone at the table or other "devices"
that could be used to cheat.
Conduct
Code
The
following should never be permitted:
Collusion
with another player or any other form of cheating. (See cheat protection)
Verbally or physically threatening "any" other person at the
table.
Using profanity or obscene language.
Creating a disturbance by arguing, shouting, or making excessive noise.
Throwing, tearing, bending, or crumpling cards.
Destroying or defacing property.
Using an illegal substance, which could also affect other players.
Carrying a weapon of any sort.
