Texas Hold'em rules

       Texas Hold`em poker follows the same principles as all other poker variations. In Texas hold`em poker you play against other players at the table and the goal of the game is to have the highest 5 card hand combination (see the combinations below). Your Texas Hold`em hand combination is shown after a series of betting in what is known as 'the showdown'. In order for a showdown to occur, however, it requires more than one person still in the game, players can fold at any point during the various betting points. You can therefore win a hand of Texas hold`em poker in two different ways; in the showdown have the highest 5 card combination or be the last player to surrender your cards under the pressure of the betting.

Texas Hold`em hand combinations (hand rankings)

       These are the universally accepted poker hand rankings from highest to lowest.

Royal Flush: The highest possible ranked hand. To achieve this hand you need an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit.

(Example: A , K , Q , J , 10 of the same suit)

Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in ascending order.

(Example: 7 , 6 , 5 , 4 , 3 of the same suit)

Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value.

(Example: Q , Q , Q , Q , J)

Full House: Three of a kind and a pair. The player with the higher value three of a kind, wins in the event of a tie.

(Example: A , A , A , 10 , 10 )

Flush: A hand containing five cards of the same suit. If two players have the same hand the winner is the player holding the highest valued cards.

(Example: Q , 10 , 6 , 3 , 2 of the same suit)

Straight: Five cards of any suit in ascending order. The ace can be either high or low and the high straight wins the tie.

(Example: 10 , 9 , 8 , 7 , 6 )

Three of a Kind: Three of a kind is simply three cards of the same value.

(Example: 9 , 9 , 9 , J , J)

Two pair: Two sets of pairs.

(Example: 6 , 6 , K , K, 10)

The player holding the highest pair takes the pot in case that more than one player is holding two pairs.

Pair: One pair of cards in a hand.

(Example: K , K , 5 , 5 , 3)

High Card : Highest card takes all in the event there is a complete absence of the above hands.