Texas Hold’em is the “Cadillac of Poker,” according to World Poker Tour Host Mike Sexton. It takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. Ever since PokerStars satellite winner Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event, millions of people from around the world have tried to become the next “money maker.” If you’re not an aficionado of how to play the game, here’s a quick guide to get you started.

Game Play

Everyone seated around the table receives two cards, called hole cards. Only you are able to see your own two cards. The person to the immediate left of the dealer is in the small blind, one of two forced bets in every hand. The person to the left of the small blind (two to the left of the dealer) is in the big blind. The big blind is typically twice the size of the small blind.

A round of betting occurs, starting with the player who is seated to the left of the small blind. Each player must decide whether to call the big blind, fold, or raise more than twice the big blind. For example, if the blinds were 10-20, the first player to act could call 20, raise to 40 (or more depending on the limit), or fold. If he raises to 100, then every player after him to act must call at least 100, raise to 200 or more, or fold.

Your goal is to make your best five card poker hand using a combination of your two hole cards plus five community cards. The best hand wins.

Flop, Turn, and River

After the initial round of betting, three community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. These three cards make up the flop. What three cards appear on the flop will help you determine whether to remain in the hand or fold. Your hand now consists of your two hole cards plus three community cards. Maybe you have four cards to a flush, or a flush draw. Maybe you have four cards to a straight, or a straight draw. Perhaps you hold two aces and the flop revealed another ace. In this case, you’d have a set of aces, or trip aces. After the flop, another round of betting occurs. The person who was in the small blind acts first this time.

The fourth community card to be placed in the middle of the table is the turn. After the turn, another round of betting occurs.

The last card to be placed face up in the middle of the table is called the river. This is where players will either make their hands or be left with nothing. A final round of betting occurs. Whoever has the best hand wins the pot. Then, the button, which represents the dealer in each hand, rotates one place to the left and another hand is dealt.

Limit Versus No Limit

There are two major types of Texas Hold’em that exist: Limit and No Limit. In a game of Limit Hold’em, the amount that you can bet is fixed. For example, in $4/$8 Limit Hold’em, you’re only able to bet $4 before the flop and after the flop. After the turn and river are dealt, you’re only able to bet $8. If you want to raise, you can only raise in increments of $4 and $8. Common limits you will find in a casino and online include $2/$4, $4/$8, and $10/$20.

In No Limit Hold’em, any player can bet any amount up to the size of their chip stack at any time. Putting all of your chips in the middle means that you are all in. If you lose the hand, you’ll be eliminated.