Number of players: 2-12

Initial Deal: Two cards are dealt, face down, to each player. (Later, a total of five cards will be placed in the center of the table - these cards are called community cards.

The Play: A round of betting is held after the deal, and then three of the community cards are dealt face up (this is called "the flop"). Another round of betting follows. One more community card (called "fourth street," or "the turn") is dealt face up, followed by another round of betting. The last card (called "the river") is dealt face up, and a final round of betting follows.

Players can check, bet, call, raise, or fold during each round.

Strategy: Stay in the same if you hold the following cards:

• Any high pair (10s, jacks, queens, kings, or aces)
• Ace-court card of any suit
• King-Queen (or, possibly, king-jack) of any suit
• Jack-10 of the same suit
• King-10 of the same suit
• Pair of 9s or less (use caution)
• High-low, same suit (for example, ace-3 or harts)

Showdown: The players make their best five-card hand using their tow cards and the table's five cards.

Determining winner: Highest hand