Each player is dealt two face-down cards. These are the private cards and each player will receive individually. They will not be revealed until showdown. A pre-flop betting round then occurs, starting with the player to the left of the big blind. The dealer deals a burn card, followed by three face-up community cards in the center of the desk. This is known as the FLOP.

A second betting round takes place. This and all next betting rounds will begin with the player to the dealer's left. The dealer scraps another burn card, and then deals a single community face-up card, known as the TURN. A third betting round takes place.

After a final burn card, another face-up community card is dealt, known as the River. The fourth betting round takes place, followed by the Showdown if necessary.

Each player plays the best five-card hand at the showdown. He can make from his two down-cards and the five community cards. To form his last five-card hand the player may use both of his down-cards, only one, or none at all. If the best five-card hand he can make is to play the five community cards. Then he is said to be playing the board and is entitled to split the pot with others playing the board, if no one can play a better hand. Kickers often are needed to break ties, but one must be careful not to break the only-five-cards rule from Online Poker hand. Straights often split the pot, and multiple flushes may occur where the ranks of the cards in each flush must be counted carefully to determine a winner.