Texas hold’em is a variation of poker that is played with a standard deck of 52 playing cards. It is the most popular variation of poker and is often the version of the game played in casinos and in televised poker tournaments.

In Texas hold’em, each player is dealt two private cards (also known as “hole cards”) and then uses those cards along with five community cards that are dealt face up in the center of the table to make the best five-card hand possible.

The game begins with two players to the left of the dealer (or button) placing forced bets, called the “small blind” and the “big blind.” Each player then has the option to call (match the big blind), raise (increase the bet), or fold (give up their hand).

The dealer then deals the first three community cards, called the “flop,” face up in the center of the table. These cards can be used by all of the players to help improve their hands. Players then have the option to bet, call, or raise again.

The dealer then deals the fourth community card, called the “turn,” and the betting round continues in the same way. Finally, the dealer deals the fifth and final community card, called the “river,” and the final betting round takes place.

If there are any players left in the hand after the final betting round, they reveal their hole cards and the player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot. If multiple players have the same ranking hand, the pot is split among those players.

The flop, turn, and river are critical stages of the game, as they provide more information to the players about the strength of their hands and the potential hands of their opponents. Players must use this information to make strategic decisions about whether to continue betting, raising, or folding their hands.