<P> No - limit hold' em has grown in popularity and is the form most commonly found in televised tournament poker and is the game played in the main event of the World Series of Poker . In no - limit hold' em, players may bet or raise any amount over the minimum raise up to all of the chips the player has at the table (called an all - in bet). The minimum raise is equal to the size of the previous bet or raise . If someone wishes to re-raise, they must raise at least the amount of the previous raise . For example, if the big blind is $2 and there is a raise of $6 to a total of $8, a re-raise must be at least $6 more for a total of $14 . If a raise or re-raise is all - in and does not equal the size of the previous raise (or half the size in some casinos), the initial raiser cannot re-raise again (in case there are other players also still in the game). In pot - limit hold' em, the maximum raise is the current size of the pot (including the amount needed to call). </P> <P> Some casinos that offer hold' em also allow the player to the left of the big blind to post an optional live straddle, usually double the amount of the big blind . This causes that player to act as the big blind and the player has an option to raise when it comes to their turn again . (Some variations allow for straddle on the button). No - limit games may also allow multiple re-straddles, in any amount that would be a legal raise . </P> <P> Following a shuffle of the cards, play begins with each player being dealt two cards face down, with the player in the small blind receiving the first card and the player in the button seat receiving the last card dealt . (As in most poker games, the deck is a standard 52 - card deck containing no jokers .) These cards are the players' hole or pocket cards . These are the only cards each player will receive individually, and they will only (possibly) be revealed at the showdown, making Texas hold' em a closed poker game . </P> <P> The hand begins with a "pre-flop" betting round, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind (or the player to the left of the dealer, if no blinds are used) and continuing clockwise . A round of betting continues until every player has folded, put in all of their chips, or matched the amount put in by all other active players . See betting for a detailed account . Note that the blinds are considered "live" in the pre-flop betting round, meaning that they are counted toward the amount that the blind player must contribute . If all players call around to the player in the big blind position, that player may either check or raise . </P>

Who gets the first card in texas holdem