What Is Texas Hold’em?
In Texas Hold’em, each player receives two private cards called hole cards. Up to five community cards are then placed in the centre of the table for everyone to use.
Hole cards are your two private cards. Community cards are the shared cards in the centre of the table.
By the end, you will know
- which cards are private and which are shared
- why a final poker hand contains exactly five cards
- the two ways a player can win
PRIVATE + SHARED
Private to you. Shared by everyone.
Your two cards stay in front of you. The shared cards belong in the centre of the table.
Two private cards
You receive two private cards called hole cards. Only you can see them while the hand is being played.
Five shared cards
Up to five community cards appear in the centre of the table. These cards are shared by every player.
Five cards form the final hand
You may have seven cards available, but exactly five cards form your final poker hand. Hand strength is taught in the next lesson.
Two private cards
7 → 5
Seven available. Exactly five in the final hand.
You may have seven cards available, but only five cards make your final poker hand.
This visual teaches the count only. You do not need to know hand rankings yet.
Your five cards can be built three ways
Two hole cards used
Two private cards + three shared cards
One hole card used
One private card + four shared cards
Zero hole cards used
Five shared cards
IMPORTANT
Both hole cards are not required
Your final five may use both, one or none of your hole cards. The five-card rule stays the same.
Two ways to win a hand
Win when the cards are revealed
If two or more players reach the end, they reveal their cards and compare their best five-card hands. This is called a showdown, and the winner takes the pot.
Everyone else folds
To fold means to give up your cards and leave the current hand. If every opponent folds, you win immediately without showing your cards.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Knowledge check
Three quick questions about hole cards, community cards and building your final five-card hand.
This is a 3-question test. Start when you are ready.
The whole lesson in five lines
- You receive two private hole cards.
- Up to five community cards are shared.
- A final poker hand contains exactly five cards.
- Those five may use two, one or zero hole cards.
- You can win at showdown or when every opponent folds.
Progress is saved on this device.