The four betting rounds: preflop, flop, turn & river
Every Texas Hold'em hand moves through four betting rounds — preflop, flop, turn, and river — the rhythm at the heart of how betting works in Texas Hold'em. Each round follows a deal of cards, and players bet, call, raise, or fold before the next cards appear. Deal a full hand yourself in our how to play Texas Hold'em walkthrough to see the streets in motion.
Round 1: Preflop
Each player is dealt two private hole cards face down. Before any community cards appear, the first betting round begins. Two players have already posted forced bets — the small blind and big blind — so there is money to fight for. Action starts to the left of the big blind, and each player folds, calls the big blind, or raises.
Round 2: The flop
After preflop betting closes, three community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table at once. These are shared by everyone. A second betting round follows. From the flop onward, the first remaining player to the dealer's left acts first.
One hand, four streets
Every Texas Hold'em hand unfolds over four betting rounds. Deal through a real hand, watch the board build and see your best five cards light up — this is the rhythm of the game.
You're dealt two private hole cards. A♠ K♠ suited is a premium hand — raise to take the lead before the flop.
The flop brings top pair (kings) and the nut-flush draw at once. A monster combo — keep betting to build the pot and charge the draws.
The 2♠ completes the nut flush. Right now you hold the best possible hand on this board — bet for value and get paid.
The board didn't pair, so no full house is possible against you. Your ace-high flush is the nuts — bet big for maximum value.
Round 3: The turn
One more community card is dealt face up — the fourth shared card, called the turn (or fourth street). A third betting round takes place. Bets are often larger now because there is only one card left to come — the river — and hands are closer to complete.
Round 4: The river
A fifth and final community card is dealt face up — the river (or fifth street). The fourth and last betting round happens. If two or more players remain after the river betting, the hand goes to showdown, where players reveal their cards and the best five-card hand wins. Practice reading these spots with the which hand wins trainer.
- A Hold'em hand has exactly four betting rounds: preflop, flop, turn, river.
- Community cards are dealt 3-1-1 — three on the flop, one on the turn, one on the river — for five shared cards total.
- A round of betting happens after each deal; the hand ends when only one player remains or at showdown after the river.
- Your final hand is the best five cards from your two hole cards plus the five community cards.
Test yourself
Answer them all — 16/20 to pass. Every answer gets an explanation.
How many betting rounds are there in a hand of Texas Hold'em?
There are exactly four betting rounds: preflop, flop, turn, and river.
What is the first betting round called?
Preflop is the first round, happening after hole cards are dealt but before any community cards.
How many community cards are dealt on the flop?
The flop deals three community cards face up at once.
How many community cards are dealt on the turn?
The turn adds a single community card, the fourth shared card.
How many community cards are dealt on the river?
The river is the fifth and final community card, a single card.
In total, how many community cards are on the board by the river?
Three on the flop, one on the turn, and one on the river make five community cards.
How many private hole cards does each player receive in Texas Hold'em?
Each player gets two hole cards dealt face down at the start of the hand.
What is the correct order of the betting rounds?
The rounds always proceed preflop, then flop, then turn, then river.
When does the first betting round (preflop) take place?
Preflop betting happens once players have their two hole cards but before the flop.
What are the turn and river sometimes called?
The turn is fourth street and the river is fifth street, counting the board cards.
What happens immediately after each deal of cards?
The pattern is deal, then bet — a betting round follows every deal of cards.
If all players but one fold during any betting round, what happens?
When only one player remains, that player wins the pot without a showdown.
What is a showdown?
At showdown, remaining players reveal their hands after the final river betting to see who wins.
Are the flop, turn, and river cards shared by all players?
The flop, turn, and river are community cards used by every player still in the hand.
How many cards make up a player's final poker hand?
A poker hand is the best five cards, chosen from your two hole cards plus the five community cards.
Which forced bets create action on the very first round?
The small blind and big blind are posted before the deal, giving players something to compete for preflop.
On the flop, turn, and river, who acts first among remaining players?
From the flop onward, the first active player to the dealer's left acts first each round.
You hold A-K and the flop comes A-K-7. What do you have?
Pairing both your ace and king with the board gives two pair, aces and kings.
How many community cards are on the board after the turn but before the river?
Three flop cards plus the one turn card make four community cards before the river.
After the river betting is complete with two players left, what decides the winner?
At showdown the best five-card poker hand wins the pot.
Review — all 20 questions & answers tap to expand
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How many betting rounds are there in a hand of Texas Hold'em?
Answer Four
There are exactly four betting rounds: preflop, flop, turn, and river.
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What is the first betting round called?
Answer Preflop
Preflop is the first round, happening after hole cards are dealt but before any community cards.
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How many community cards are dealt on the flop?
Answer Three
The flop deals three community cards face up at once.
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How many community cards are dealt on the turn?
Answer One
The turn adds a single community card, the fourth shared card.
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How many community cards are dealt on the river?
Answer One
The river is the fifth and final community card, a single card.
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In total, how many community cards are on the board by the river?
Answer Five
Three on the flop, one on the turn, and one on the river make five community cards.
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How many private hole cards does each player receive in Texas Hold'em?
Answer Two
Each player gets two hole cards dealt face down at the start of the hand.
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What is the correct order of the betting rounds?
Answer Preflop, flop, turn, river
The rounds always proceed preflop, then flop, then turn, then river.
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When does the first betting round (preflop) take place?
Answer After hole cards are dealt, before any community cards
Preflop betting happens once players have their two hole cards but before the flop.
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What are the turn and river sometimes called?
Answer Fourth street and fifth street
The turn is fourth street and the river is fifth street, counting the board cards.
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What happens immediately after each deal of cards?
Answer A betting round
The pattern is deal, then bet — a betting round follows every deal of cards.
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If all players but one fold during any betting round, what happens?
Answer The remaining player wins the pot immediately
When only one player remains, that player wins the pot without a showdown.
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What is a showdown?
Answer Revealing cards after the river to determine the winner
At showdown, remaining players reveal their hands after the final river betting to see who wins.
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Are the flop, turn, and river cards shared by all players?
Answer Yes, they are community cards
The flop, turn, and river are community cards used by every player still in the hand.
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How many cards make up a player's final poker hand?
Answer Five
A poker hand is the best five cards, chosen from your two hole cards plus the five community cards.
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Which forced bets create action on the very first round?
Answer The small blind and big blind
The small blind and big blind are posted before the deal, giving players something to compete for preflop.
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On the flop, turn, and river, who acts first among remaining players?
Answer The player to the dealer's left
From the flop onward, the first active player to the dealer's left acts first each round.
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You hold A-K and the flop comes A-K-7. What do you have?
Answer Two pair, aces and kings
Pairing both your ace and king with the board gives two pair, aces and kings.
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How many community cards are on the board after the turn but before the river?
Answer Four
Three flop cards plus the one turn card make four community cards before the river.
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After the river betting is complete with two players left, what decides the winner?
Answer The best five-card hand at showdown
At showdown the best five-card poker hand wins the pot.