How a Hand Progresses
Poker players call each stage of a hand a street. Preflop is the first street: the blinds are posted, every player receives two hole cards, and the first betting round takes place. The dealer then places three community cards together—the flop—and another betting round follows. One card called the turn, also known as fourth street, is dealt before the third betting round. One final card called the river, also known as fifth street, is dealt before the last betting round. If two or more players remain, they reveal their cards at showdown. The hand can end earlier whenever a bet or raise makes every opponent fold.
What you will be able to do
- Name preflop, flop, turn and river in order.
- State that the flop adds three board cards and later streets add one each.
- Recognize that a fold can end the hand before showdown.
TABLE PRACTICE
Watch the hand move from preflop to river
Step 1 of 6 — Blinds and cards
A Hold’em hand begins with forced bets called blinds. Players then receive two private cards.
Action history 0
ONE THING TO REMEMBER
Not every hand reaches the river. If only one player remains, that player wins without revealing cards.
TRY IT
This is a 1-question test. Start when you are ready.
Takeaway
A Hold’em hand moves through preflop, flop, turn and river, with a betting round after each deal. It ends early whenever only one player remains.