Community cards are placed face up in the centre of the poker table and can be used by all players to construct their 5-card hand in games like Hold’em and Omaha. These can also be referred to as ‘the board’ or ‘board cards’.
What are community cards in poker?
Community cards in poker are the shared cards that are placed face-up in the center of the poker table and can be used by all players to form their best possible hand. These cards are a fundamental part of several popular poker variants, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Community card games are also known as “flop games” because the community cards are revealed in stages, starting with the flop.
In Texas Hold’em, there are a total of five community cards:
- The Flop: After the first betting round, three community cards are dealt face-up on the “board.” This is known as the flop.
- The Turn: After the second betting round, a fourth community card is dealt. This card is called the turn or fourth street.
- The River: Following the third betting round, the fifth and final community card is revealed. This card is called the river or fifth street.
Players combine these community cards with their own hole cards (the two private cards dealt to each player) to make the best possible five-card hand. Players can use any combination of the community cards and their hole cards to form their hand. For example, a player can use both of their hole cards, one hole card, or even play the board (use all five community cards) if it results in the best hand.
In Omaha, another popular poker variant, there are also five community cards, but players are dealt four hole cards instead of two. Players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three of the community cards to form their hand.
The use of community cards adds an element of strategy and suspense to the game, as players must assess the evolving strength of their hands based on the communal cards revealed throughout the betting rounds.