Just in case any of you have never played No Limit Texas Hold’em before, here is a breakdown of the basic rules. Try to know them before you show up on game night, we’ll play some practice rounds before we get started if need be, so don’t worry if you’re a little iffy on procedural rules.

1. Games start with two players placing out a predetermined amount of money so there is an initial amount to play for. This is called posting the blinds. These players are the two to the left of the dealer.

2. The dealer shuffles up a complete deck of 52 playing cards.

3. Each player is dealt two cards face down. These are called your hole or pocket cards.

4. Then there is a round of betting starting with the guy to the left of the two who posted the blinds. This round is usually referred to by the term pre-flop.

5. Much like most games of poker, players can check, raise, or fold.

6. After the betting round ends, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called a burn card. This is done to prevent cheating.

7. The dealer then flips the next three cards face up on the table. These cards are called the flop. These are communal cards that anyone can use in combination with their two pocket cards to form a poker hand.

8. There is another round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

9. After the betting concludes, the dealer burns another card and flips one more onto the table. This is called the turn card. Players can use this sixth card now to form a five card poker hand.

10. The player to the left of the dealer begins another round of betting.

11. Finally, the dealer burns a card and places a final card face up on the table. This is called the river. Players can now use any of the five cards on the table or the two cards in their pocket to form a five card poker hand.

12. There is one final round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

13. After that, all of the players remaining in the game begin to reveal their hands. This begins with the player to the left of the last player to call. It's called the showdown.

14. The player with the best hand wins!