How to Play a Two Five No Limit Poker Game

Like any betting structure in Texas Hold'em Poker, the term "Two-Five" refers to the minimum bets in the first two and last two rounds of play, respectively. Here's how to play Two-Five in a no-limit setting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Placing the Blinds

1. All players receive two cards, face down.

2. If you are sitting two positions clockwise from the dealer (or in casinos, if you are sitting two seats clockwise from the player with the "dealer" button), place the minimum first round bet of $2 in the pot. This is called the "big blind."

3. If you are sitting one position from the dealer, place the "small blind" in the pot. The small blind is equivalent to half the minimum first round bet, in this case $1.

4. In clockwise order, all other players decide if they want to keep playing in exchange for the ante--the minimum bet of $2--or if they want to fold. They can also raise to any amount at least two times the minimum bet, in which case all other players must match that bet to keep playing.

5. The player who posted small blind may either fold, add the remainder of the current bet or raise to at least two times the minimum bet.

6. The player who posted big blind may either fold, raise to any amount at least two times the minimum bet or "check" (to keep playing without raising or folding if no other players have raised).

The Flop

7. One card from the deck is "burned" or placed face down, and three cards are shown face up to all players.

8. Beginning with the player immediately clockwise from the dealer, players check, fold or bet at least the minimum amount--in this case $2.

9. After a bet, players can raise to at least $2 above the minimum bet.

The Turn

10. One card from the deck is "burned" or placed face down, and then another card is shown face up to all players.

11. The minimum bet becomes $5. Beginning with the player immediately clockwise to the dealer, players check, fold or bet at least the minimum amount--in this case $5.

12. After a bet, players can raise to at least $5 above the current bet.

The River

13. One card from the deck is "burned" or placed face down, and then one last card is shown face up to all players.

14. Beginning with the player immediately clockwise to the dealer, players check, fold or bet at least the minimum amount--in this case $5.

15. After a bet, players can raise to at least $5 above the current bet.

16. After betting has ceased, the last person to raise or bet must show his cards. The remaining players may show their cards, but are only required to do so if they have a winning hand.

17. The player with the best five card combination of any of his pocket cards and any of the five "community" cards on the table wins the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Going "All In" means betting all of your money on one hand. Players must match this bet to keep playing, but they can also create side bets with other players if they have more money in their stack than the original bettor. Traditionally, if only two players go All In together, they both show their cards immediately, and then the remaining "community" cards are drawn to determine the winner.
• Especially in casinos, two-five No Limit Hold 'em can be a cutthroat game that can force a player to put lots of money at stake. Novice poker players may want to try Limit Hold 'Em, which puts a cap on bets and raises. Lower stakes games, such as one-two Hold 'Em, are usually available as well.