No-Limit Hold'em

How to play — step by step

1. Small blind and big blind post before cards are dealt.
2. Each player receives 2 hole cards, dealt face-down.
3. Preflop betting starts to the left of the big blind (UTG).
4. Dealer burns a card and turns 3 community cards face-up — the flop.
5. Postflop action starts left of the button (small blind first if in the pot).
6. Burn + 1 community card = turn. Another betting round.
7. Burn + 1 more community card = river. Final betting round.
8. If two or more players remain, showdown: best 5-card hand wins the pot.

Stakes & formats

• Stakes: $0.02/$0.05 — $50/$100
• Formats: 6-max, 9-max, Heads-up, Zoom (fast-fold)

Example hand

6-max, $1/$2, 100 BB effective

• Preflop: UTG folds. Hero raises to $6 with A♠K♣ from CO. Button 3-bets to $18. Blinds fold. Hero calls. Pot: $39.
• Flop (K♠ 8♦ 3♣): Hero checks. Button c-bets $15. Hero check-raises to $45. Button calls. Pot: $129.
• Turn (K♠ 8♦ 3♣ 2♦): Hero bets $70. Button calls. Pot: $269.
• River (K♠ 8♦ 3♣ 2♦ 9♥): Hero shoves remaining $72. Button tank-calls with Q♥Q♦.

Result: Hero wins $413 with top pair top kicker vs an overpair that couldn't get away.

Quick strategy

• Play tight from early position; widen up on the button.
• 3-bet linear at low stakes, polarized as you move up.
• C-bet range on dry flops in position; check flop out of position.
• Bet bigger with polarized ranges on scary run-outs.

Frequently asked questions

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