How to play hold em

The Winning HandThe best five-card hand (or hands, in the case of a tie) wins the pot.

:: In our example, this is YOU! ::

Forming a Hand

Hand Rankings

Royal Flush- A, K, Q, J, 10, all in the same suit. 1 in 650,000

Driven by the popularity of televised poker, Texas Hold'em (more commonly, ‘Hold'em’) has become the world’s most popular poker game, both in live casinos and online at PokerStars. We’ll go into more detail below, but here are the key points you need to know:

• Every player is dealt two cards, for their eyes only
• The dealer spreads five cards - three at once, then another, then another - which can be used by all players to make their best possible five-card hand
• Before and after each card(s) is revealed, players take turns to bet. To stay in the hand and see the next card, all players must have put the same amount of chips in the pot as each other
• The best poker hand wins the pot

It’s a simple game to learn, yet has the potential to be played with a seemingly infinite variety of strategies, tactics and nuance.

Before you begin playing Hold'em, you'll want to learn the rules. In Hold'em, each player is dealt two private cards (known as ‘hole cards’) that belong to them alone. Five community cards are dealt face-up, to form the ‘board’. All players in the game use these shared community cards in conjunction with their own hole cards to each make their best possible five-card poker hand. In Hold'em, a player may use any combination of the seven cards available to make the best possible five-card poker hand, using zero, one or two of their private hole cards. To view the rankings of poker hands, visit the poker hand ranks page.

The four major variations of Hold'em are distinguished from each other by their betting limits:

Each of these Hold'em variations are available to play on PokerStars for free (play money) or for real money.

To learn to play Hold'em using a hands-on method, PokerStars offers free poker games in the poker room. To start practicing your poker skills, just visit the free poker download page, install the award-winning poker software, and you'll be learning Hold'em in no time.

However, if you'd rather familiarize yourself with the rules of Hold'em first, then these instructions should help.

In Hold'em, a marker called ‘the button’ or ‘the dealer button’ indicates which player is the nominal dealer for the current game. Before the game begins, the player immediately clockwise from the button posts the "small blind", the first forced bet. The player immediately clockwise from the small blind posts the "big blind", which is typically twice the size of the small blind, but the blinds can vary depending on the stakes and betting structure being played.

In Limit games, the big blind is the same as the small bet, and the small blind is typically half the size of the big blind but may be larger depending on the stakes. For example, in a $2/$4 Limit game the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2. In a $15/$30 Limit game, the small blind is $10 and the big blind is $15.

In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the games are referred to by the size of their blinds (for example, a $1/$2 Hold’em game has a small blind of $1 and a big blind of $2).

Depending on the exact structure of the game, each player may also be required to post an ‘ante’ (another type of forced bet, usually smaller than either blind, posted by all players at the table) into the pot.

Now, each player receives his or her two hole cards. Betting action proceeds clockwise around the table, starting with the player ‘under the gun’ (immediately clockwise from the big blind).

In Hold'em, as with other forms of poker, the available actions are ‘fold’, ‘check’, ‘bet’, ‘call’ or ‘raise’. Exactly which options are available depends on the action taken by the previous players. If nobody has yet made a bet, then a player may either check (decline to bet, but keep their cards) or bet. If a player has bet, then subsequent players can fold, call or raise. To call is to match the amount the previous player has bet. To raise is to not only match the previous bet, but to also increase it.

After seeing his or her hole cards, each player now has the option to play his or her hand by calling or raising the big blind. The action begins to the left of the big blind, which is considered a ‘live’ bet on this round. That player has the option to fold, call or raise. For example, if the big blind was $2, it would cost $2 to call, or at least $4 to raise. Action then proceeds clockwise around the table.

Note: The betting structure varies with different variations of the game. Explanations of the betting action in Limit Hold'em, No Limit Hold'em, and Pot Limit Hold'em can be found below.

Betting continues on each betting round until all active players (who have not folded) have placed equal bets in the pot.

Now, three cards are dealt face-up on the board. This is known as ‘the flop’. In Hold'em, the three cards on the flop are community cards, available to all players still in the hand. Betting on the flop begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. The betting options are similar to pre-flop, however if nobody has previously bet, players may opt to check, passing the action to the next active player clockwise.

When the betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn’ is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in Hold'em (and is sometimes also called ‘Fourth Street’). Another round of betting ensues, beginning with the active player immediately clockwise from the button.

When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river’ or ‘Fifth Street’ is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in a Hold'em game. Betting again begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button, and the same betting rules apply as they do for the flop and turn, as explained above.

If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last person to bet or raise shows their cards, unless there was no bet on the final round in which case the player immediately clockwise from the button shows their cards first. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands. Hold'em rules state that all suits are equal.

After the pot is awarded, a new hand of Hold'em is ready to be played. The button now moves clockwise to the next player, blinds and antes are once again posted, and new hands are dealt to each player.

Hold'em rules remain the same for Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit poker games, with a few exceptions:

• Limit Texas Hold'em
  Betting in Limit Hold'em is in pre-determined, structured amounts. Pre-flop and on the flop, all bets and raises are of the same amount as the big blind. On the turn and the river, the size of all bets and raises doubles. In Limit Hold'em, up to four bets are allowed per player during each betting round. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap (final raise). 
• No Limit Texas Hold'em
  The minimum bet in No Limit Hold'em is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet as much more as they want, up to all of their chips.Minimum raise: In No Limit Hold'em, the raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total bet of $10).Maximum raise: The size of your stack (your chips on the table).

  In No Limit Hold'em, there is no ‘cap’ on the number of raises allowed.

• Pot Limit Texas Hold'em
  The minimum bet in Pot Limit Hold'em is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet up to the size of the pot.Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total bet of $10).Maximum raise: The size of the pot, which is defined as the total of the active pot plus all bets on the table plus the amount the active player must first call before raising.Example: If the size of the pot is $100, and there is no previous action on a particular betting round, a player may bet a maximum of $100. After that bet, the action moves to the next player clockwise. That player can either fold, call $100, or raise any amount between the minimum ($100 more) and the maximum. The maximum bet in this case is $400 - the raiser would first call $100, bringing the pot size to $300, and then raise $300 more, making a total bet of $400.

  In Pot Limit Hold'em, there is no ‘cap’ on the number of raises allowed.

• Mixed Texas Hold'em
  In Mixed Hold'em, the game switches between rounds of Limit Hold'em and No Limit Hold'em. The blinds are typically increased when the game switches from No Limit to Limit, to ensure some consistency in the average pot size in each game. The betting rules on each round follow the rules for that game, as described above.

In the PokerStars software, it’s not possible to bet less than the minimum or more than the maximum. The bet slider and bet window will only allow you to bet amounts within the allowed thresholds.

If you want to learn how to play Hold'em, then download the PokerStars software and join any of the free poker games where you can play online against other players. Unlike our real money poker games, since there is nothing at stake, you can be comfortable learning the ropes of the game and all the rules of Hold'em. We hope to see you in our poker room, and good luck at the tables!

As well as Texas Hold’em, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.

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6 Card Omaha poker is an exciting game derived from Omaha. Each player is dealt six private cards (‘hole cards’) which belong only to that player. Five community cards are dealt face-up on the ‘board’. In 6 Card Omaha games, all players use exactly three of the community cards together with exactly two of their hole cards to make the best five-card poker hand. No more, and no less. Follow this link to view the rankings of Omaha poker hands.

• Pot Limit 6 Card Omaha Poker - A player can bet what is in the pot (i.e. $100 into a $100 pot). This is the most popular form of 6 Card Omaha Poker.

In Pot Limit 6 Card Omaha, the games are referred to by the size of their blinds (for example, a $1/$2 Pot Limit 6 Card Omaha game has a small blind of $1 and a big blind of $2). If you like to play tournament poker, PokerStars offer 6 Card Omaha tournaments as well.

Each player receives six hole cards and betting action proceeds clockwise around the table, starting with the player ‘under the gun’ (immediately clockwise from the big blind).

After seeing his or her hole cards, each player now has the option to play their hand by calling or raising the big blind. The action begins to the left of the big blind, which is considered a ‘live’ bet on this round. That player has the option to fold, call or raise. For example, if the big blind was $2, it would cost $2 to call, or at least $4 to raise. Action then proceeds clockwise around the table.

Betting continues on each betting round until all active players (who have not folded) have placed equal bets in the pot.

After the first round of betting is complete, the ‘flop’ is dealt face-up on the board. The flop is the first three community cards available to all active players. Play begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. Another round of betting ensues.

When betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn’ is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in a 6 Card Omaha game. Play begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. Another round of betting ensues.

When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river’ is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in 6 Card Omaha poker. Betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. A final round of betting ensues.

If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last person to bet or raise shows their cards, unless there was no bet on the final round in which case the player immediately clockwise from the button shows their cards first. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot. Remember: in 6 Card Omaha, players must use two and only two of their six hole cards in combination with exactly three of the cards from the board. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands.

After the pot is awarded, a new 6 Card Omaha poker game is ready to be played. The button now moves clockwise to the next player.

The minimum bet in Pot Limit 6 Card Omaha is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet up to the size of the pot. Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total bet of $10). Maximum raise: The size of the pot, which is defined as the total of the active pot, plus all bets on the table, plus the amount the active player must first call before raising. Example: If the size of the pot is $100, and there is no previous action on a particular betting round, a player may bet a maximum of $100. After that bet, the action moves to the next player clockwise. That player can either fold, call $100, or raise any amount between the minimum ($100 more) and the maximum. The maximum bet in this case is $400 - the raiser would first call $100, bringing the pot size to $300, and then raise $300 more, making a total bet of $400.

In Pot Limit 6 Card Omaha, there is no ‘cap’ on the number of raises allowed.

In the PokerStars software, it’s not possible to bet less than the minimum or more than the maximum. The bet slider and bet window will only allow you to bet amounts within the allowed thresholds.

If you want to learn how to play Omaha, then download the PokerStars software and join any of the free poker games where you can play online against other players. Unlike our real money poker games, since there is nothing at stake, you can be comfortable learning the ropes of the game and all the rules of 6 Card Omaha.

As well as 6 Card Omaha, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.

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5 Card Omaha poker is an exciting game derived from Omaha. Each player is dealt five private cards (‘hole cards’) which belong only to that player. Five community cards are dealt face-up on the ‘board’. In 5 Card Omaha games, all players use exactly three of the community cards together with exactly two of their hole cards to make the best five-card poker hand. No more, and no less. Follow this link to view the rankings of Omaha poker hands.

• Pot Limit 5 Card Omaha Poker - A player can bet what is in the pot (i.e. $100 into a $100 pot). This is the most popular form of 5 Card Omaha Poker.
• No Limit 5 Card Omaha Poker - A player can bet any amount, up to all of their chips.

In Pot Limit 5 Card Omaha, the games are referred to by the size of their blinds (for example, a $1/$2 Pot Limit 5 Card Omaha game has a small blind of $1 and a big blind of $2). If you like to play tournament poker, PokerStars offer 5 Card Omaha tournaments as well.

Each player receives five hole cards and betting action proceeds clockwise around the table, starting with the player ‘under the gun’ (immediately clockwise from the big blind).

After seeing his or her hole cards, each player now has the option to play their hand by calling or raising the big blind. The action begins to the left of the big blind, which is considered a ‘live’ bet on this round. That player has the option to fold, call or raise. For example, if the big blind was $2, it would cost $2 to call, or at least $4 to raise. Action then proceeds clockwise around the table.

Betting continues on each betting round until all active players (who have not folded) have placed equal bets in the pot.

After the first round of betting is complete, the ‘flop’ is dealt face-up on the board. The flop is the first three community cards available to all active players. Play begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. Another round of betting ensues.

When betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn’ is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in a 5 Card Omaha game. Play begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. Another round of betting ensues.

When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river’ is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in 5 Card Omaha poker. Betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. A final round of betting ensues.

If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last person to bet or raise shows their cards, unless there was no bet on the final round in which case the player immediately clockwise from the button shows their cards first. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot. Remember: in 5 Card Omaha, players must use two and only two of their five hole cards in combination with exactly three of the cards from the board. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands.

After the pot is awarded, a new 5 Card Omaha poker game is ready to be played. The button now moves clockwise to the next player.

5 Card Omaha rules remain the same for Pot Limit and No Limit poker games, with a few exceptions:

• Pot Limit 5 Card OmahaThe minimum bet in Pot Limit 5 Card Omaha is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet up to the size of the pot.Minimum raise: The raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total bet of $10).Maximum raise: The size of the pot, which is defined as the total of the active pot, plus all bets on the table, plus the amount the active player must first call before raising.Example: If the size of the pot is $100, and there is no previous action on a particular betting round, a player may bet a maximum of $100. After that bet, the action moves to the next player clockwise. That player can either fold, call $100, or raise any amount between the minimum ($100 more) and the maximum. The maximum bet in this case is $400 - the raiser would first call $100, bringing the pot size to $300, and then raise $300 more, making a total bet of $400.

  In Pot Limit 5 Card Omaha, there is no ‘cap’ on the number of raises allowed.



• No Limit 5 Card OmahaThe minimum bet in No Limit 5 Card Omaha is the same as the size of the big blind, but players can always bet as much as they want, up to all of their chips.Minimum raise: In No Limit 5 Card Omaha, the raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. As an example, if the first player to act bets $5 then the second player must raise a minimum of $5 (total bet of $10).Maximum raise: The size of your stack (your chips on the table).

  In No Limit 5 Card Omaha, there is no ‘cap’ on the number of raises allowed.

In the PokerStars software, it’s not possible to bet less than the minimum or more than the maximum. The bet slider and bet window will only allow you to bet amounts within the allowed thresholds.

In addition to Omaha Poker, PokerStars also offers the popular variant of 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo. This version of Omaha splits the pot between the highest and lowest poker hands, giving the game a whole different feel.

If you want to learn how to play Omaha, then download the PokerStars software and join any of the free poker games where you can play online against other players. Unlike our real money poker games, since there is nothing at stake, you can be comfortable learning the ropes of the game and all the rules of 5 Card Omaha.

As well as 5 Card Omaha, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.

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2-7 (Deuce to Seven) Triple Draw Lowball is a poker game in which the low poker hand wins the pot at showdown. In other words, it is a form of ‘Lowball’. It is a ‘draw’ game, meaning that you are dealt five cards, and may discard from zero to five of them on the draw, and receive that number of replacement cards. In Triple Draw, each player has the opportunity to draw three times, though you may ‘stand pat’ (not discard any cards) on any or all of the draws.

First, it’s important to understand that the hand rankings are different in 2-7 than in other low games. In 2-7, straights and flushes count against your low hand, and aces are always high. So the best possible hand is: 7, 5, 4, 3, 2. The following 2-7 hands (not a complete list) are ranked from least powerful (#1, which will rarely win the pot) to most powerful (#16, the nuts):

1. J, 7, 4, 3, 2 (all the same suit - a flush)
2. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 (a straight)
3. 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 (a lower straight)
4. 5, 5, 5, 6, 3
5. 2, 2, 7, 6, 5
6. A, 9, 6, 4, 2
7. A, 8, 7, 4, 2
8. A, 5, 4, 3, 2 (not a straight - ace-high)
9. K, J, 8, 7, 4
10. T, 7, 5, 4, 3
11. T, 6, 5, 4, 3
12. T, 6, 5, 4, 2
13. 9, 7, 6, 4, 3
14. 8, 6, 4, 3, 2
15. 7, 6, 4, 3, 2
16. 7, 5, 4, 3, 2

Draw games are played using forced bets known as blinds, with the player sitting to the left of the dealer button posting a small blind, and the player to their left posting the big blind. The small blind is usually equal to half the size of the big blind. Lowball is also sometimes played with an ante, which is a small forced bet posted by each player in addition to the blinds.

Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is then a round of betting, where you have the option to either call, raise, or fold. Players still left in the hand after the first round of betting now have the opportunity to draw. That is, each player selects which (if any) cards he wishes to discard by clicking on them. By clicking a second time on a card that you have planned to discard, you remove it from the discard set. You can discard all five cards if you wish. If you feel that you already have a strong hand, you can opt to ‘Stand Pat’. This means that you are choosing not to discard any of your cards. Discarding continues around the table clockwise. When it is your turn to discard, you press the button to confirm you wish to discard the selected cards.

After the first draw, there is another round of betting, beginning with the first active player to the left of the button.

There are two more draws with a round of betting following each one, resulting in three draws total, and four rounds of betting. If more than one player is still left in the hand at this point, a showdown takes place, with the player holding the best hand taking the pot.

So the sequence of action is:

1. Five cards dealt to each player
2. Betting round #1, beginning with player to left of big blind
3. Draw #1, beginning with player to left of button
4. Betting round #2, beginning with player to left of button
5. Draw #2, beginning with player to left of button
6. Betting round #3, beginning with player to left of button
7. Draw #3, beginning with player to left of button
8. Betting round #4, beginning with player to left of button
9. Showdown (if necessary)

In draw games, it is possible for more cards to be needed than are remaining in the deck. In this case, the cards are reshuffled, and play continues using the new deck. For more information on reshuffling in draw games, please see Reshuffling the Deck.

The player with the best five-card 2-7 hand wins the pot. After the pot is awarded to the best hand, a new game of 2-7 Triple Draw is ready to be played.

If two or more hands have the same value, the pot is equally split among them. There is no rank of suit for the purposes of awarding the pot. Please remember, this is different from other forms of low or high/low poker, where an ace can be played either high or low. In 2-7, an ace is always the highest card.

If you are unfamiliar with 2-7 Triple Draw poker, we recommend you try the game out first to get a feel for how it’s played. You are always welcome to play on free poker tables at PokerStars, and sharpen your skills before playing real money poker.

Finally, if you like to play other draw variants, we recommend you check out Single Draw 2-7 Lowball, Five Card Draw, or Badugi, all of which are very popular poker games as well. These games are a nice change of pace from the amazingly popular Texas Hold’em game, and they are also available in our poker tournaments selection.

As well as 2-7 Triple Draw, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.

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Mixed poker games have become very popular in recent years, especially since the introduction of a $50,000 Championship H.O.R.S.E. event at the World Series. Our 8-Game Mix gives you the chance to play the following different poker games:

PokerStars 8-Game Mix is played with six players, with the game changing every six hands (or every level in a tournament). The first six hands are Limit 2-7 Triple Draw, with Limit Hold’em next, and so on. When the last hand of Pot Limit Omaha is complete, the rotation goes back to Limit 2-7 Triple Draw and begins again. The game currently being played is displayed at the top of the table window, along with how many hands have been played so far.

Our 8-Game Mix differs to other mixed games like H.O.R.S.E, because it includes rounds of No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, whereas most mixed games are played as limit only. When the game switches to the No Limit and Pot Limit section, the blinds and antes decrease accordingly to ensure the stakes remain consistent.

If you are unfamiliar with 8-Game Mix poker games, we recommend you try them out first to get a feel for how they’re played. You are always welcome to play on free poker tables at PokerStars, and sharpen your skills before playing real money poker.

You can watch 8 Game Mix on PokerStars.tv, and see the Poker Games page to find out more about each individual game.

Finally, if you like to play other Mixed Game variants, we recommend you check out our H.O.R.S.E. mix, another mix of popular poker games, or our Hold’em/Omaha games. These mixed games are a nice change of pace from the popular Texas Hold’em game, and they are also available in our poker tournaments selection.

As well as 8-Game Mix, we also offer many other poker variants. See our Poker Games page to learn more.