Game Flow: From Blinds to River
Level 1 - Lesson 3
Key Takeaways (Quick Summary)
- •Every poker round goes through 5 stages: Blinds → Pre-Flop → Flop → Turn → River
- •Blinds are mandatory bets (small and big) that ensure money in the pot before play starts
- •Flop reveals 3 community cards (60% of your hand), Turn adds a 4th card (80%), River the 5th (100%)
- •Pot grows with each stage - your decisions become more costly and stakes higher
Game Stages in Poker
Every poker round goes through five main stages. Understanding these stages is essential for developing your strategy.
1. Blinds
Before cards are dealt, the two players to the dealer's left post mandatory bets:
- Small Blind: Half the minimum bet
- Big Blind: Full minimum bet
- These bets ensure there's money in the pot before play begins
2. Pre-Flop
After two cards are dealt to each player, the first betting round begins:
- The player to the left of the big blind starts (Under the Gun)
- Each player can: fold, call (match the big blind), or raise
- The round ends when everyone matches the highest bet or folds
3. Flop
Three community cards are revealed on the table:
- The player to the dealer's left starts the round
- Options: check, bet, call, raise, or fold
- This stage is crucial - 60% of your final hand is now visible
4. Turn
A fourth community card is revealed:
- A new betting round begins with the same rules
- Bets are usually higher at this stage
- 80% of your final hand is now clear
5. River
The fifth and final community card:
- Last betting round of the hand
- Your final hand is complete - no more cards
- If more than one player remains, showdown occurs (cards revealed)
Important Tips
- •Pot grows with each stage - your decisions become more costly
- •Most pro players fold before the flop - don't be afraid to do the same
- •Your position changes each round - late position gives you an advantage
- •The hand can end at any stage if everyone folds