Rules of play - Pre-flop

In Holdem Poker, before the cards can be dealt, all players are required to place their ante bets and the players on the big blind and the little blind will also need to place their bets. The antes and blinds are predetermined, with the little blind always being half of the big blind. In tournament play, as the game progresses, the values of the antes and blinds raise every few hands.

The dealer then deal two cards face down to each player, singly, starting with the player to the left of the button. These cards are known as hole cards. Once their cards have been dealt, each player is allowed to looks at their cards. Play begins in a clockwise direction away from the button.

If players wish to stay in the hand they have to match the value of the big blind in limit Holdem Poker and in the no-limit version they have to at least match it. If a player doesn't want to see the flop they simply fold their cards, and always face down. Players in no-limit Holdem Poker can also rise before the flop. If a player raises the bet, each player who has called has t raise their bet to meet the fresh raise. The pre-flop round of betting stops when all players have either folded or called the last raise. Only then can the flop cards be dealt.