The game is split into four rounds of betting. Betting starts from the player position next to the dealer button (in online games, the dealer button replaces the real dealer) and moves clockwise after each hand. The game works as follows:
1. The Blind Bets
Before the game begins, the two players “seated” to the left of the dealer post blind bets. These are called blinds because they are made before the players have seen any community cards. The player to the left of the dealer posts the “small blind”, and the player positioned to his left then posts the “big blind.” The blinds ensure that there is some money in the pot at the start of the game.
2. The Pre-Flop
Four cards are dealt to each player that only they can see. Then the first round of betting is started by the first player to the left of the big blind. This player, who is known as “under the gun,” can do one of the following actions:
Eventually the betting will return to the player who made the big blind (the first full bet.) That player can check or choose to stay in the game without adding anything further to the pot. However, if an opponent has raised them, the big blind player has three options: fold, call, or re-raise.
3. The Flop
AAfter the first round, the three community cards are face up on the table. Players can use these to make their five-card hand. The second round of betting follows.
4. The Turn
The fourth community card is dealt face up on the table. The third round of betting follows.
5. The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt. This is followed by the fourth and final round of betting.
6. The Showdonw
If there is more than one player left in the game, there is a “showdown” (confrontational moment) in which the players reveal their cards and the highest hand wins. If several players share an identical hand, the pot is split.