Initial wagers and cards
The player makes equal Ante and Blind wagers and receives two private cards. The dealer also receives two private cards. Five community cards are ultimately available to both sides.
The best five-card poker hand is made from any combination of the seven available cards.
Decision sequence
Before the flop, the player may raise three or four times the Ante or check. After the three-card flop, an unraised player may bet two times or check. After all five community cards, an unraised player must bet one times or fold.
Only one Play wager can be made.
Dealer qualification
Under common rules, the dealer qualifies with a pair or better. Qualification affects the Ante but not whether the Play bet compares hands.
Whenever the dealer does not qualify, the Ante pushes—including when the dealer's high-card hand beats the player. Play and Blind still settle from the hand comparison.
Blind settlement
When the player wins, Blind pays according to the posted table for a straight or better and pushes with a lower winning hand. It loses when the dealer wins and pushes on a tie.
Alternative Blind tables change return without changing the hand-decision structure.
Practical checklist
- Equal Ante and Blind
- Confirm 3x/4x preflop options
- Record dealer qualification
- Copy complete Blind table
- Separate Trips and other side bets
Rules, probabilities, and payouts apply only to the model stated on this page. Posted casino rules control when they differ. Last reviewed September 20, 2026.