Texas Hold'em Poker Rules

Game Setup

Dealer Button: The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand. The player with the button acts last in all betting rounds except pre-flop.
Blinds: Two forced bets before cards are dealt: the small blind (half the minimum bet) and the big blind (full minimum bet). The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind. If a player cannot cover their blind, they post what they have and are all-in for that amount. Blind amounts increase according to the configured schedule (for example, tournament levels).
Heads-Up Play: In heads-up play (two players), the dealer posts the small blind and acts first pre-flop, while the other player posts the big blind and acts first post-flop.
Starting a Hand: Each player receives two private cards (hole cards) dealt face down. These cards belong only to that player.

Betting Rounds

Pre-Flop: First betting round after hole cards are dealt. Action starts with the player to the left of the big blind.
The Flop: After pre-flop betting, three community cards are dealt face up. Second betting round begins with the first active player left of the dealer button.
The Turn: After flop betting, a fourth community card is dealt face up. Third betting round follows the same order.
The River: After turn betting, a fifth and final community card is dealt face up. Final betting round occurs.
Action Order: Betting proceeds clockwise. Each player must act when it's their turn. In post-flop rounds, action starts with the first active player left of the dealer button.

Player Actions

Fold: Discard your hand and forfeit all rights to the pot. You cannot win the current hand after folding.
Check: Pass the action to the next player without betting. Only available when no bet has been made in the current round.
Call: Match the current bet amount to stay in the hand. If you don't have enough chips, you go all-in with your remaining chips.
Raise: Increase the current bet. Minimum raise equals the size of the previous bet or raise in the current round. For example, if the big blind is $10 and a player raises to $20, the next raise must be at least $30 (raising by $10).
All-In: Bet all remaining chips. You can win the main pot and any side pots you're eligible for. You remain in the hand even if other players bet more.

Side Pots

Main Pot: The pot that all active players, including all-in players, are eligible to win. Contains contributions up to the smallest all-in amount.
Side Pot: Additional pots created when players bet beyond what all-in players contributed. Only players who contributed to a side pot can win it.
Multiple All-Ins: Multiple side pots form when different players go all-in for different amounts. Each pot is awarded separately, starting with the main pot.

Showdown

Showdown Order: If multiple players remain after the river betting, players reveal their hands. The last player to bet or raise shows first. If no bets on the river, the first active player left of the button shows first.
Hand Comparison: Players make the best five-card hand using any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards. The best hand wins the pot.

Hand Rankings

Hands are ranked from highest to lowest:

Royal Flush - A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit. The highest possible hand.
Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
Straight Flush - Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. Ranked by the highest card.
Example: 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥
Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank. Ranked by the four-of-a-kind, then by the kicker.
Example: K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣ 3♠
Full House - Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. Ranked by the three-of-a-kind, then by the pair.
Example: Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 7♠ 7♣
Flush - Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Ranked by the highest card, then by subsequent cards.
Example: K♦ J♦ 9♦ 6♦ 3♦
Straight - Five cards in sequence, not all of the same suit. Ranked by the highest card. Ace can be high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (5-4-3-2-A).
Example: 10♠ 9♦ 8♣ 7♥ 6♠
Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same rank. Ranked by the three-of-a-kind, then by the highest kicker, then by the second kicker.
Example: 8♠ 8♥ 8♦ A♠ 5♣
Two Pair - Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. Ranked by the highest pair, then by the second pair, then by the kicker.
Example: J♠ J♦ 4♥ 4♣ 9♠
One Pair - Two cards of the same rank. Ranked by the pair, then by the highest kicker, then by subsequent kickers.
Example: 10♠ 10♣ K♦ 7♥ 4♠
High Card - No matching cards. Ranked by the highest card, then by subsequent cards if needed.
Example: A♠ Q♦ 9♣ 6♥ 3♠

Pot Distribution

Single Winner: The player with the best hand wins the entire pot. If only one player remains after others fold, that player wins without showing their cards.
Split Pot: If two or more players have identical best hands, the pot is split equally among them. If the pot cannot be divided evenly, any odd chips go to the player closest to the left of the dealer button.
Multiple Pots: When side pots exist, each pot is awarded separately. The main pot is awarded first, then side pots in the order they were created.

Hand Completion

Dealer Button Rotation: After the pot is awarded, the dealer button moves one position clockwise, and a new hand begins.
Blind Increases: In tournament play, blinds increase at scheduled intervals. In cash games, blinds remain constant.
Elimination and Re-Buys: In tournament play, when a player loses all chips, they are eliminated. In cash games, players can buy more chips (re-buy) up to the table maximum.
Cash Game Minimum Players: Cash games can continue heads-up when two players remain with chips. If only one player has chips, the table pauses until another active player joins or rebuys.

Special Cases

Everyone Folds: If all players fold before showdown, the last remaining player wins the pot without revealing their cards.
All-In Before Showdown: If all remaining players are all-in before the river, all remaining community cards are dealt immediately and hands are revealed.
Player Disconnection: If a player disconnects, admins can manually fold inactive players. Any chips they've committed remain in the pot.
Minimum Players: Games require at least two players. Cash games continue heads-up with two players but pause when only one player has chips. If only one player remains with chips in a tournament, that player wins.

Asynchronous Play

Turn Flow: Games are asynchronous: the hand pauses on the active player's turn and resumes when they act. You can step away and return without losing your seat.
Inactivity: If a player is inactive for 24 hours, the host or an admin should fold their hand to keep the game moving. Idle seats can be removed between hands if needed.
Notifications: Players get updates when action reaches them, and reconnecting restores your remaining chips and position.

Buy-Ins & Rebuys

Table Minimum: Each table sets a fixed buy-in when the game is created. You must have at least that amount available to sit down.
Rebuy Policy: Cash games allow a rebuy for the same amount once your chips reach zero; tournaments are single-buy-in and do not permit rebuys after elimination.
Stack Size: Every buy-in grants the table's configured starting stack. Partial top-ups aren't supported—rebuys only happen when you're at zero chips.