Texas Holdem has two variations of beginning the game.

Version 1) For every new round of Texas Holdem each player receives two "Hole" cards face down.  Then the "Small Blind" and the "Big Blind" bets are placed in the pot by the two players just left of the dealer.

Version 2) The "Small Blind" and the "Big Blind" bets are placed in the pot by the two players just left of the dealer before any cards are dealt and action begins. Casinos usually use this variation.

The rest of the rules below are consistent with both versions of beginning the game.

Then the dealer "burns" one card and three "community" cards are placed face up in the middle of the table for everyone to use for that round. The cards in the middle of the table at this point are known as the "Flop". (go back)

After the "flop," a second round of betting takes place beginning with the player to the dealer's left going clockwise.

Then one more card is "burned" by the dealer and one additional card is revealed and placed face up with the other "community" cards in the middle of the table. This event is known as the "Turn." Now there should be four cards face up in the middle of the table. (go back)

After the "Turn," a third round of betting takes place beginning with the player to the dealer's left going clockwise.

Then one more card is "burned" by the dealer and the fifth and last card is revealed and placed face up with the other "community" cards in the middle of the table. This event is known as the "River." Now there should be five cards face up in the middle of the table. (go back)

After the "River," a forth round of betting takes place beginning with the player to the dealer's left going clockwise.

If necessary, a showdown takes place to determine the winner. At the showdown, each player uses the best five-card hand he can create from his two down-cards and the five community "River" cards. (go back)

Your individual poker hand is determined by using the best of five cards in typical poker combinations made up of one or two of your two "Hole" cards and three or four of the five cards from the community "river" cards in the middle of the table.  Restated, you have access to seven cards to create the best hand possible--one or two of your "Hole" cards and three or four from the "river."

Winning
The best of five cards using typical poker combinations wins the pot. A player may also win the pot if no one calls a player who bets prior to the end of the hand. That is to say, if everyone else folds (quits) and you are the only one betting, you win the pot.

Small Blind Definition (go back)
The Small Blind takes place the first round of betting and is made only by the player just left of the dealer. The amount of the Small Blind is determined by the number of players and/or the variation of Holdem poker. The Small Blind is typically one half of the "Big Blind" and varies from one unit (in dollars, pounds, Lire, Yen...) to several units.

Big Blind Definition (go back)
The Big Blind is the other of two parts of the first round of betting and is made only by the player two seats left of the dealer. The amount of the Big Blind is determined by the number of players and/or the variation of Holdem poker. The amount of the "Big Blind" is typically twice the "Small Blind".

Holdem Tournaments
Tournaments of Texas Holdem usually have a "buy-in" which vary in amounts.