The poker game that is all the rage these days is Texas Hold’em. It became so popular that there even were televised events of celebrities playing the game for their favorite charities. This particular game relies more heavily on strategy than other forms of poker, and with all the cards on the table the game can seem a little daunting. But really the rules are quite simple to learn.

Here is how a hand of Texas Hold’em is played, including when you bet:

Ante up.

1) Hole Cards. Each player is dealt two cards face down. These are the players’ cards, and no one else at the table can use them to help their own hand.

Place a bet here. Tip: if you have low cards and no pairs, fold and sit this hand out. It is better to lose only your ante and not all your chips.

2) The Flop. Three cards are dealt on the table face up. These are community cards that any player can use for the betterment of his or her hand.

Place a bet here.

3) The Turn. The fourth card is a community card and dealt to the table face up.

Place a bet here.

4) The River. The fifth and final card is dealt to the table and is also a community card.

Place final bet.

You can fold at any betting point, and that is why strategy is so vital to this game.

To determine the winning hand, you make the best poker hand that is possible by using five out of the seven cards dealt — a combination of your two hole cards and the community cards. It is important to remember that any player at the table has the use of the community cards, so and take that into account when you devise your strategy for each round.