Betting Before the Flop

The first round of betting occurs after the pocket cards are dealt and before the flop. Based on the two starting cards and what the other players have done, the choices come down to either: folding, betting, calling, or raising. Note that if is not possible to check on the first round of betting as there already is forced bet which must be called in order to stay in the hand. In our example the betting before the flop proceeds as follows:

1. You are positioned "under the gun", you have to act first as you are seated immediately to the left of the blinds who has already placed forced bets. You are looking down at a "pocket pair", J J. Without going into any reasoning behind the betting you call, wagering one full bet $2.
2-4. The three players following you folds.
5-6. Where after the two player calls.
7. The next player opts to fold.
8. The player sitting on the button calls.
9. The player who has already posted the small blind, folds. This player would only have had to wager $1 more in order call as the blinds are "active".
10. The player sitting in the big blind checks. The big blind is the only player who can have this option pre-flop.

This concludes the first round of betting as everyone who wants to stay in the pot has wagered the same amount of money. Had the big blind raised the betting would have continued until this was the case.

- The player to the left of the blinds acts first.
- Each player decides in turn wether to: fold, bet, call, or raise
- The first round of betting is complete when every player that wants to stay in the pot – and see the flop – has wagered the same amount.