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Texas Hold 'Em begins with the deal. The dealer shuffles the 52-card deck (in casinos, the dealer never plays, but in most home games the dealing responsibilities rotate around the table among players).

In most games, the betting starts with blinds, or minimum bets placed before any cards are dealt. The player to the immediate left of the dealer puts in half the minimum bet, and the next player puts in the full minimum bet. Games can be played with antes, where each player puts in a minimum bet before play begins.

The dealer then hands each player two cards. Betting then begins with the player to the left of the two who posted the blinds. Players can call (meet the bet), raise or fold (leave the hand) when it's their turn.

The dealer then discards one card (called "burning") and puts three out face up. This is called the "flop." These three cards are shared by all players. Another round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.

The dealer then burns another card, and puts out one card face up. This card is called "fourth street" or "the turn." Another round of betting ensues, starting once again with the player to the left of the dealer.

A final card is burned, and another, known as "fifth street" or "the river," is placed face-up on the table. There are now five community cards on the table, and another round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer (out of the players that are still standing).

After the betting, the players show their cards. The player who makes the best five-card hand out of his or her two cards and the five community cards is the winner and takes all the money -- or chips -- wagered during the hand.

The next player on the left then deals, and the process begins anew, until one player wins it all.

Standard poker hand rankings (highest to lowest):

1. Royal flush: Ace, king, queen, jack and 10, all of the same suit

2. Straight flush: Five cards of the same suit in order

3. Four of a kind: Four cards of the same rank, such as four kings

4. Full house: Three cards of one rank and two of another, such as three kings and two queens

5. Flush: Five cards of any rank of the same suit

6. Straight: Five cards of mixed suits in sequence.

7. Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank

8. Two pairs: Two sets of two cards of the same rank, such as two queens and two aces

9. Pair: Two cards of the same rank, such as two jacks

10. High card: The highest card wins.


-- Southeast Missourian