Texas Hold'em is arguably the most popular form of poker. It is widely considered to have the most strategy of all poker games, yet the rules are quite simple. Here is how a hand of Texas Hold'em is played:

1. Hole Cards. Each player is dealt two cards face down.
2. The Flop. Three cards are dealt face up on the table.
3. The Turn. A fourth card is dealt to the table.
4. The River. Finally, a fifth card is dealt to the table.

The five cards on the table are community cards. Your hand is formed by taking the best poker hand you can by using any five out of the seven cards (5 community + 2 hole cards). But remember, all the players have access to the community cards. When played for money, there is a round of betting after a round of cards is dealt (so four rounds of betting in total).

Example #1

Your Hand		Board

In this example, you have a flush, because you can use the three clubs on the board with the two in your hand.

Example #2

Your Hand		Board

In this example, you have a King pair with Queen Kicker. The kicker is very important, because you would beat a player holding KJ or K5, but you would lose to a player with AK.

Example #3

Your Hand		Board

In this example, you have a straight to the king, by using all the community cards and none of your hole cards. But just remember, everyone else has a straight too. How could you win the entire pot in this situation, instead of splitting it? You might bet and pretend you have an ace. However, if someone else really does have the Ace, you would be raised and put into an awkward situation. ?