Dealing Texas Hold'em isn't complicated, but doing it smoothly makes everyone's experience better. Here's exactly how to deal a hand from start to finish.
The player left of the dealer posts the small blind (half the minimum bet). The next player posts the big blind (the full minimum). These are forced bets that create action.
Starting with the small blind, deal one card face-down to each player going clockwise. Then deal a second card to each player. Everyone now has two private cards.
Action starts left of the big blind. Each player can fold, call the big blind, or raise. The big blind acts last and can check if nobody raised.
"Burn" one card face-down (discard it), then deal three community cards face-up in the center. Another betting round follows, starting left of the dealer.
Burn one card, then deal one community card face-up. Another betting round.
Burn one card, then deal the final community card face-up. Final betting round.
If multiple players remain, the last bettor or raiser shows first. Best 5-card hand using any combination of hole cards and community cards wins. See our hand rankings chart if you're unsure which hand wins.
For faster home games, use two decks with different colored backs. While one deck is in play, the next dealer shuffles the second deck. This cuts downtime between hands significantly.
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