Texas Hold'em Poker Rules

Game Overview

Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker variant and the primary game supported by PokerChip.live. Each player receives two private cards (hole cards) and shares five community cards to make the best five-card poker hand.

Hand Rankings (Highest to Lowest)

1. Royal Flush - A, K, Q, J, 10 all of the same suit
2. Straight Flush - Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit
3. Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank
4. Full House - Three cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank
5. Flush - Five cards of the same suit (not in sequence)
6. Straight - Five cards in sequence (not all same suit)
7. Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same rank
8. Two Pair - Two cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank
9. One Pair - Two cards of the same rank
10. High Card - When no other hand is made, the highest card plays

Betting Rounds

Preflop

• Each player receives two hole cards
• First betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind
• Players can fold, call, or raise

The Flop

• Three community cards are dealt face up
• Second betting round begins with the first active player to the left of the dealer
• Players can check, bet, call, raise, or fold

The Turn

• One additional community card is dealt
• Third betting round follows the same format as the flop

The River

• Final community card is dealt
• Final betting round
• Remaining players reveal their hands (showdown)

Betting Actions

• Fold - Give up your hand and forfeit any chips already bet
• Check - Pass the action without betting (only when no bet has been made)
• Bet - Put chips into the pot (first bet in a round)
• Call - Match the current bet amount
• Raise - Increase the current bet amount
• All-in - Bet all remaining chips

Blinds

• Small Blind - Forced bet made by the player to the left of the dealer
• Big Blind - Forced bet (usually double the small blind) made by the player two seats to the left of the dealer
• Blinds ensure there's always money in the pot to play for
• The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand

Using PokerChip.live

When playing with PokerChip.live:

1. Create a room with your preferred buy-in amount and blind structure
2. Share the room code or QR code with your friends
3. Players join by scanning the QR code or entering the room code
4. Start playing - use the app to track all bets, raises, and pot sizes
5. The app automatically calculates side pots, tracks all-ins, and manages chip counts
6. At the end, see exactly who owes what for easy settlement