The stages of a poker hand

Before the cards: the button and blinds.

The cream D marker identifies the dealer position, not a player who physically deals. Small blind (SB) and big blind (BB) are forced bets that start the pot.

The app posts them for you. The amounts are shown above the table; tournaments can increase them between hands.

Two private cards, then your first decision.

This first betting round is called pre-flop: before the shared cards. Play goes clockwise.

The first player after the big blind normally acts first. With just two players, the button posts the small blind and acts first before the flop.

Three, one, one: the shared cards.

The flop adds three shared cards. The turn adds a fourth.

The river adds the fifth and final card. Each stage has a betting round.

After the flop, action starts with the first remaining player to the left of the button. If everyone but one player folds, the hand ends early.

1. Pre-flop2 private cards · No shared cards
2. Flop3 shared cards · Betting round
3. Turn4 shared cards · Betting round
4. River5 shared cards · Final betting round

Read the result, then decide what is next.

If two or more players remain after the final betting round, they compare their best five cards. This is showdown.

The result explains who won and your net change in chips. You choose when to start the next hand.

After eliminations, an empty seat can still hold the button so players do not skip their blinds.