Explaining Texas Hold 'em

Phrases

Let me walk you through it.

offering to explain step by step

It sounds complicated, but let me walk you through it.

Everyone gets two cards, face down.

the start of every hand

Everyone gets two cards, face down. Don't show them to anyone.

Keep your cards to yourself.

don't let other players see them

Keep your cards to yourself, Chen. I can see them from here.

The dealer button moves to the left.

a new player is the dealer each hand

After every hand, the dealer button moves one seat to the left.

the blinds

the chips two players must put in before the cards are dealt

The two players after the dealer put in the blinds, so there's always something in the pot.

Then the dealer turns over three cards. That's the flop.

the first shared cards

Then the dealer turns over three cards. That's the flop.

the turn and the river

the fourth and fifth shared cards

After the turn and the river, there are five cards in the middle.

You use any five of the seven cards.

how you build your hand

You use any five of the seven cards, so look at all of them.

After each card, we go around the table.

everyone acts in order

After each new card, we go around the table again.

If everyone checks, we move on.

no one adds chips, so the next card comes

If everyone checks, we move on to the river.

At the end, you show your cards.

the moment you compare hands

At the end, whoever is still in shows their cards.

The best hand takes the pot.

the winner gets all the chips in the middle

The best hand takes the pot, and we deal again.

What beats what?

asking which hands are stronger

Sorry, remind me. What beats what? Is a straight better than a flush?

A flush beats a straight.

comparing two hands

A flush beats a straight, and a full house beats both.

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

1. First, everyone gets two cards. Then we look at them without showing anyone.
2. After the flop, you have five cards to think about, and two more are still coming.
3. Ananya kept asking what beats what, so we put a list of hands on the table.
4. If everyone folds except you, you take the pot without showing your cards.
5. Don't worry if you forget the order. We'll remind you on every turn.