Before the no limit texas holdem game can start, two players must place the big blind and the small blind. In a $5/$10 game the small blind is $5 and the big blind is $10. The size of the big and small blind remains unchanged for the duration of the no limit texas holdem poker game. After the blinds have been placed it is time for the dealer to hand out cards. Each player at the table will be dealt two cards.

The player sitting to the left of the big blind will get to act first. All the other players will get to make their move. The minimum size of any bet must be equal to the small blind, and the maximum size is equal to the amount of chips a player has. All raises must be double the previous bet. After all the players at the table have acted, the betting round will be over. Note that during the betting round each player can bet, raise, call, fold, or go all in.

The main difference from Limit Texas Hold’Em is the fact that there is no betting limit, just as the name suggests. This makes all the difference as the pots can increase considerably.

You can go all in if a player bets more than your whole stack. If you win the hand you will be awarded part of the pot.

Let’s take a look at an example in order to understand this better. Let’s say that the total amount in the pot is $50. One poker player at the table bets $50, another player calls, and you’ve got only $20. In this case you can go all in you will get $110 if you win:

- $50 from the original pot
- $20 x 3 = $60
- $50 + $60 = $110

Another $60 will be awarded to the better hand from the other two players. This $60 is called the side pot.