Most Texas Hold 'Em Poker games start with the two players to the dealer’s left putting a sum of money into the pot before the cards are dealt - this ensures that there's something to play for on each hand and is termed “posting the blinds”.

Most often, the “first blind” – the player to the left of the dealer – puts up half the minimum bet, and the “second blind” puts up the full minimum bet. Each player is then dealt two cards, face down (these are known as the "hole cards”).

A round of betting then takes place - starting with the player to the left of the two who posted the blinds. Players can call, raise, or fold when it's their turn to bet.

After the first betting round, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called burning the card and is done to ensure that no one accidentally saw the top card, and to help prevent cheating.

The dealer then flips the next three cards face up on the table. These cards are called the "flop."

NOTE: Eventually, a total of five community cards will be placed face up on the table. Players can use any combination of the community cards and their own two hole cards to form the best possible five-card Poker hand.

After the flop, another round of betting takes place, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer (the button). During this and all future rounds of betting, players can check, call, raise, or fold when it's their turn to bet.

The dealer burns another card and plays one more face up onto the table. This, the fourth community card, is called the "turn" or "Fourth Street."

The player to the left of the dealer (the button) begins the third round of betting.

The dealer burns another card before placing the final face-up card on the table. This card is called the "river" or "Fifth Street."

Players can now use any combination of seven cards -- the five community cards and the two hole cards known only to them -- to form the best possible five-card Poker hand.

The fourth and final round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer (the button).

After the final betting round, all players who remain in the game reveal their hands. The player who made the initial bet or the player who made the last raise shows their hand first.

The player with the best hand wins. See the list below starting with the strongest hand and ending with the weakest.

Royal Flush
The best possible hand - Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, all of the same suit.

Straight Flush
Any five-card sequence in the same suit (e.g. 8, 9, 10, Jack and Queen of clubs or 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of diamonds).

Four of a Kind
All four cards of the same value (e.g. 6, 6, 6, 6 or Queen, Queen, Queen, Queen).

Full House
Three of a kind combined with a pair (e.g. 10, 10, 10 with 6, 6 or King, King, King with 5, 5).

Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence (e.g. 4, 5, 7, 10 and King of hearts).

Straight
Five cards in sequence, but not in the same suit (e.g. 6 of clubs, 7 of clubs, 8 of diamonds, 9 of spades and 10 of hearts).

Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same value (e.g. 2, 2, 2 or Queen, Queen, Queen).

Two Pair
Two separate pairs (e.g. 2, 2, Queen, Queen).

Pair
Two cards of the same value (e.g. 4, 4).

High Card
If a hand does NOT contain one of the above combinations, it's valued by the highest card in it.