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Each of the many variations of poker has its own unique set of rules for play. However, there are some standard rules that apply across the board in regard to certain circumstances.

The Dealer Button

At casino Hold'em tables, a round plastic marker called the dealer "button" is placed in front of the player who would be dealing, if a house dealer were not provided.

After each game the button is moved one seat clockwise and the card distribution and betting starts to the left of that position. Each player is dealt two cards face down ("hole cards"). 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. After all the cards are dealt the players make the best hand that they can by combining either one, both, or neither of their two hole cards with five community cards. A player holding a king and a ten would end up with two pair, kings over tens with an ace.

Misdeals

In the case of a misdeal, the deal will be adjusted so that the correct players receive the cards that they are entitled to in the hand. If play has already started and more than one player has acted on their hand, the deal stands as is and should be played through.

The Blinds and Betting Options

The Blinds:

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. Each player is then dealt a two card hand. Then the player at the left of the big blind is first to act and he must either call the big blind, raise, or fold his hand. Continuing in turn clockwise, all the players around the table either call, raise or fold.

Player Betting Options:

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.

The Flop:
Fourth Street /TURN/:
Fifth Street /RIVER/:
The Showdown:

Each poker player always has the option to fold, to discard their cards and give up any interest in the pot. 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.

Limit Hold'em:
Pot Limit Hold'em:
No Limit Hold'em:

In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the minimum bet or raise is equal to the big blind (see below). Once a player raises, the minimum reraise is equal to the last raise. The minimum resets to the big blind on the next round of betting.