After the blinds have been placed, two cards (the “hole cards”) are dealt face-down to each player. The first round of betting starts with the player left of the big blind, also referred to as first position. That player, and all players following, have the option to bet, call, raise or fold, depending on the player’s action before them. With the blind bets made, first position must at least call the big blind to stay in the hand, or fold. At the end of the round, all players still in the hand will either have placed an equal amount into the pot, or have folded. Since the blinds are considered active bets, when the betting round reaches them, the blind is applied towards the current bet, and they also have the option of checking (or just calling if their blind is already equal to the current bet), raising or folding.
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"THE FLOP" (second round)
After first round betting is complete, three cards are dealt face-up on the board, which is also referred to as the flop. The three cards are community cards, which are common to all active players. Now, and for rest of the betting rounds to follow, the active player immediately left of the dealer becomes first position, and starts the betting. If all players are still in the hand, the betting would then open with the small blind. Again, players will have the option to check, bet, raise of fold, depending on the player’s action before them. It is possible that all of the active players may check, and therefore no bets would be required to stay in the hand.
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"THE TURN" (third round)
After the flop is dealt, and the second round of betting completed, a fourth community card, called the turn, is dealt on the board. The betting again opens with the first active player to the left of the dealer, also with the options of checking, betting, raising or folding, depending on the player’s action before them.
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"THE RIVER" (fourth round)
The fourth and final round starts with the last community card being dealt face-up (the fifth community card), also referred to as "the river." Once again, the betting opens up with the first active player to the left of the dealer, and with the same betting options. If there is only one player left after this round, he/she will win the pot. If there are two or more players left after the final round of betting, the players show their two hole cards, and the player with the best five-card hand, using any combination of hole cards and the board, wins the pot.
For further clarification of any of the poker terms, or which hand beats what, please see our poker glossary and hand rankings section, respectively. |
