Community Poker is played with cards placed face-up in the middle
of the table, that are useable by any of the players. Players are dealt
less than a full hand, with the community card filling their hand. The
specific rules as to how many community cards exist, and how they may
be combined with a players private cards; differentiate games of Community
Poker.
The most common form of Community Poker is Texas Hold `Em. In Texas Hold
`Em, each player is dealt two cards face-down. The first betting round
begins, typically with two blinds, and then the flop is dealt. The flop
is three cards dealt simultaneously to the middle of the table. These
are considered the community cards of Texas Hold `Em. Play rotates clockwise
from the dealers left, which ends the flop round. Two more rounds of play
follow, with one community card being dealt for each one. These rounds
are known as “fourth street”, and “the river” or “fifth
street.” After “the river” round, if more than one player
remains, a showdown occurs.
During the showdown, the player with the best five card poker hand wins.
It is not required that the winning hand be both of your hole cards. One
of your hole cards can be used, or neither. If neither of the hole cards
are used, the term “playing the board,” is used. In the case
that multiple participants “play the board,” the player with
the highest ranking card in the hole, wins. If the remaining players have
equal hands, the pot is split.
