Rules of the Game | Hand Rankings | How to Win

 

Rules of the Game

Texas Holdem poker is the most popular of the many poker variants played in the United States. Spelled Texas Holdem, Texas Hold'em, and even Texas Hold Em, this poker game has a set of rules that are different than other popular poker games. Unlike Draw or Stud poker, Texas Holdem poker includes community cards, meaning that some cards are available to be used by all poker players.

Texas Holdem uses a disc called a dealer "button" to indicate from where the cards are to be dealt. In Holdem poker, this button rotates clockwise after each hand, so that every poker player will have the same opportunity to make bets from all betting positions over time. Prior to the deal, the two players to the left of the button place live bets called the small and big blinds. These poker bets are called "blinds" because they are made prior to seeing any cards. The big blind in Texas Holdem poker is always twice the amount of the small blind. These forced bets function like antes and provide an automatic poker pot to compete for. In poker tournaments, the "blinds" increase on regular pre-determined time intervals. For poker ring games, these blinds are fixed.

Play begins with each poker player being dealt two cards face down. These cards are the poker players' hole or pocket cards. These are the only cards each poker player will receive individually for that hand, and they will only (possibly) be revealed at the showdown which occurs after all five community cards have been dealt and all betting is complete.

Texas Holdem rules dictate that the hand begins with a "pre-flop" (before the community cards are dealt) betting round, beginning with the poker player to the left of the big blind and continuing clockwise. The starting minimum poker bet is equal to the forced big blind. Of course, a poker player can raise more than the value of the big blind as well. The round of betting continues until every player has either folded, bet, or matched ("called") the amount put in by all other active poker players. Pre-flop, the last person to make an initial betting decision is the "big blind". Texas Holdem play can end at any time if a person makes a bet that no other poker player is willing to match.

After the pre-flop betting round has completed, assuming there remain at least two poker players in the hand, the Texas Holdem dealer deals the flop, or three face-up community cards. A second round of betting follows. This and all subsequent betting rounds begin with the poker player to the dealer's left (represented by the dealer button) and continue clockwise. The last Holdem player to act from this point forward is the active player holding the dealer button, or, if that poker player has folded, then the last poker player to act becomes that poker player nearest to the right of the dealer button. Because this person gets to see all of the action beforehand, this is considered the strongest position at the poker table.

After the flop betting round ends, in Texas Holdem poker, a single community card (called the turn or fourth street) is dealt, followed by a third betting round. A final single community card (called the river or fifth street) is then dealt, followed by a fourth and final betting round.

Texas Holdem hands are formed by using any five out of the seven cards (5 community + 2 hole cards). All poker players have the same ability to leverage the shared community cards to form their hands as well.

 

Complete Guide to Poker Hand Rankings

Before starting to play, the most important thing to understand is poker hand ranking. The rankings described here apply to all of the most common poker games, including Texas Holdem, Omaha, Stud and Draw. Below is a list of poker hand rankings from strongest to weakest.

If any of the terms used below don't make sense, please see our glossary of poker terms for assistance.

Royal Flush This poker hand is an Ace-high straight, all of the same suit.

Straight Flush This is also a suited flush, although the high card in the straight is not an Ace.

Four-of-a-Kind Four cards of the same face value or rank.  If there is a Four- of-a-Kind on the board, then the poker player with highest kicker wins the pot.

Full House Three-of-a-kind and a pair. If two players have Full Houses, the poker player with the higher three of a kind breaks the tie.

Flush Five cards of the same suit not in sequential order. If two players have flushes, the poker player with the highest card wins. If need be, the second highest card, third highest card, etc can be used to break a tie.

Straight Five cards in sequential order of different suits. An Ace can be used as the high card or low card.

Three-of-a-Kind Three of the same face card or rank. If two or more poker players tie, the highest kicker plays.

Two Pair Two different pairs of cards of the same value or rank. If two players share the same top pair, the poker player with the larger bottom pair wins. If two players have the same two pair, the highest kicker plays.

Pair Two cards of the same rank. If two players have the same pair, the highest kicker plays.

High Card This means that no player has connected with the board.  The poker player with the highest card that plays is the winner.

Understanding Poker Hand Rankings Can Help You Win

When you can develop your own strategy and plan how to play your hand you know you've become a real poker player. It's hard to compete in poker effectively if you don't know how your cards can be combined for a win. Once you get familiar with this important part of poker you can play more effectively.

 

There are multiple ways to win prizes from Ujogo online poker games, and every way is completely free! And remember, regardless of which type of poker game you play, you will always be awarded Ujogo Points simply by spending time playing any poker game on Ujogo's site. These points are redeemable for items at the Ujogo Store.

How to Play and Win Ujogo Poker Games

Playing Ring Games

Compete with other poker players and accumulate Ujogo Cash. Every month, Ujogo will reward those who place atop the leaderboard with bonus Ujogo Points, which means you can redeem for more valuable items at our Ujogo Store.

Ring Game - Jackpots

Ujogo also offers extra Ujogo Points for poker players who are involved in poker jackpot hands. See our Poker Jackpots page for details.

Sit N Go's

The top finishers in any Sit N Go poker games win Ujogo Cash which can be applied to the leaderboards. Some Sit N Go's may also offer a pre-designated prize or be part of a qualifying activity toward a larger satellite poker tournament. Check out our game registration page for more details.

Multi-Table Tournaments

Players will compete for not only Ujogo Cash, but also for great prizes. The total number of poker players in a given multi-table poker tournament will determine prize payouts. The prize value, and number of winners, will generally increase as the number of participants grows for a given poker tournament. The first place winner will be awarded the largest prize while those who finish "in the money", yet below first place, will earn prizes of lesser value based on place finished.

Leaderboards

Leaderboards are monthly contests for all poker players. Winners are determined by those who have earned the most Ujogo Points or the most Ujogo Cash. See our Leaderboards page for more information.