Every player receives two cards face-down. The player to the dealer’s left has to put in a small bet known as the small blind, with the player to their left putting in a larger forced bet called the big blind.
Each player must either match the amount of the big blind, raise the bet, or fold. As with every betting round, this one ends once every player has either put the same amount of chips in the pot, or if every player but one has folded.
The dealer places three community cards face-up in the middle, for all players to use. Players now have five cards to make a traditional poker hand (their two hole cards plus three community cards), and may bet on the strength of their hand in a second betting round.
A fourth community card is placed face-up, so players now have six cards from which to create their best five-card poker hand. A third betting round takes place.
A fifth and final community card is placed face-up, giving all remaining players seven cards to use in making their strongest poker hand, and the final round of betting occurs.
Any players still remaining reveal their hands, with the best one taking the pot.