How to Play Fixed Limit Hold'em

Fixed Limit Texas Holdem is a ‘community card’ game. Each player holds 2 of their own cards and must make a 5 card poker hand using a combination of these with the 5 cards shared by all the players.

Structure

In fixed limit Texas Holdem the amounts of bets and raises is pre-determined, this amount doubles half way through the hand allowing players to build a big pot. This article out lines the rules of fixed limit Texas Holdem by taking you through a hand from before the cards are dealt to the final showdown.

The position of the dealer in Holdem games determines both the order of betting and the posting of forced bets (called ‘blinds’) before the cards are dealt. The player 2 seats to the left of the dealer posts the ‘big blind’ which is equivalent to one bet on the starting rounds. The player 1 seat to the left of the dealer posts the ‘small blind’ – usually half the amount of the big blind.

Betting

Next each player is dealt 2 cards face down. These are known as ‘hole cards’. Starting left of the big blind each player is given an opportunity to call the initial bet by matching the big blind, or to raise the same amount. There is a limit of a 4 raises on each betting round.

To remain in the hand each player must match the previous bet or raise. The act of raising means that all of the players will have an opportunity to react to this bet – meaning that the ‘action’ could go round the table 2 or more times.

Once betting is completed 3 of the total of 5 community (shared) cards are dealt face up. This is known as the flop. The player left of the big blind then starts a second round of betting. If this player chooses not to bet they can ‘check’ (bet nothing) which passes the opportunity to the next player. Again to remain in the hand each player must call any bets and raises offered.

Next a single community card is dealt (the turn) and betting again starts with the player to the left of the dealer. This time the betting level is doubled. This process is then repeated on more time, the final community card (the river) followed by a round of betting.

Showdown

After the final round of betting is completed players must show down their hands to determine the winner. The winning poker hand is made up of 5 of the 7 possible cards from each players 2 ‘hole cards’ and the 5 community cards. Players may use both, one or even none of their hole cards to make their possible hand.

After the winner is determined the dealer button moves one place around the table in a clockwise direction and the next hand begins.

If you're looking to play No Limit Hold'em, read this article on how to play no limit Hold'em.

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