Blind and Betting Structure
In order to start the betting action, Hold ’em uses what are called blind bets (blinds) to stimulate action and initiate play. Blinds are posted before the dealer deals the first cards.
Blinds are posted by players who sit in consecutive clockwise order from the dealer button with the first player posting a predetermined amount called the “small blind.” The next person in order posts what is known as the “big blind.” Action is initiated on the first betting round by the player on the immediate left of the big blind. The blinds act last on the first betting round and are “live,” which means the player is allowed to raise their own blind bet.
The board cards are dealt in three sequences known as the “flop,” the “turn,” and the “river.” In Hold’em there are four total rounds of betting, two at the smaller limit and two at the larger limit. The first round of betting takes place after each player has been dealt their initial two-card hand.
The second betting round takes place after the flop has been dealt. The third round of betting takes place after the turn card has been dealt and the fourth and final round of betting will take place after the river card has been dealt.
A new player entering any Hold’em game does not have to post a blind to play a hand unless they are in the natural small or big blind position.
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A player may use any combination of five cards to determine their best hand:
- Two cards from their hand and three from the board.
- One card from their hand and four from the board.
- No cards from their hand and all five from the board. This is referred to as “playing the board.”