How to Play Hold'em High

No Limit Texas Hold Em is a variation of Seven Card Stud poker. Each player must attempt to make their best five-card poker hand using two cards which they are dealt face-down and five community cards which are dealt face-up.

There are no antes in Texas Hold Em. Instead, before each hand is dealt, the player to the left of the dealer must pay what is called the small blind, and the player to the left of the small blind must pay what is called the big blind. The small and big blinds start at $5 and $10 respectively and are increased every fifth hand.

Once the blinds have been paid each player is dealt two cards face-down. The person to the left of the big blind starts the first round of betting. In the first round of betting, each player has three options: call, raise or fold.

To call, a player must place a bet that is equal to the last bet placed. For the first player in the round, this would be equal to the big blind. A player may choose to raise by wagering a bet larger than the previous bet placed. There is a minimum bet required to raise, which is equal to the big blind for the first two rounds of betting. If a player does not wish to call or raise, he or she may simply choose to fold and sit out the round.

After all the players have finished the first round of betting, the first three community cards are dealt face-up on the board. This is called the flop. The second and all subsequent betting rounds start with the first player to the dealer's left. If no previous bet has been made in a round of betting, a player is allowed to check, in which case he would remain in the hand without making a bet.

After the second betting round, the fourth community card is dealt face-up. This is called the turn card. The minimum bet is increased to double the big blind and the third round of betting commences.

After the third betting round, the fifth and final community card is dealt. This is called the river card. A final round of betting ensues, and afterwards each player turns their cards face up.

The highest hand that can be made with any combination of a player's cards and the five community cards wins the pot. If every player but one folds in any betting round, the player who did not fold wins the pot without having to show his or her cards. In the case of a tie, the pot is split evenly amongst each of the players with a winning hand.

The deal is passed to the left between hands. The game ends once one player has won all of his or her opponents’ chips.