Official Poker Rules

If you play poker, it’s important to understand the rules of the game. This will help you avoid costly disputes and make sure that you’re playing the best possible game.

To start a game, all players must place an ante wager. The ante amount is determined by the table and can be as little as $1 or as much as $5.

Once the ante has been placed, two cards are dealt to each player. They must keep these cards secret from the other players at the table.

Then, each player can choose to play, fold or call. They can also choose to raise, which means adding more money to the pot.

In Texas Hold’em, each player seeks to create the best five-card poker hand from any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards. These cards are dealt face up in three stages, known as the flop, turn and river.

After each stage, a showdown takes place where each player displays their best five-card poker hand. If there’s a tie, the player with the highest-ranking card after checking their hole cards wins the showdown and the pot.