After each player antes into the pot, the dealer deals five cards to each player, face down. Each player evaluates her hand and then betting begins, (starting with the player immediately to the left of the dealer, then moving one person clockwise in each subsequent hand). The first player has the option of folding, calling, or betting, within the limits established prior to the deal. Once a bet is waged, each subsequent player has the option of calling, (meeting the bet), folding (turning in his cards and paying nothing), and raising (meeting the bet and betting an additional amount).

It is customary to limit each round of betting to three raises, although players can alter this to their liking.

After this initial round of betting is completed, each player has the option to exchange some of her cards for new ones, in hopes of improving her hand. For instance, if a player has a pair of twos and a pair of Queens, she can turn in her fifth card in hopes of being redealt a two or a Queen, which would give her a Full House. A player can exchange up to three cards unless she is holding an ace. If she is, she shows it to the other players and can then exchange the other four cards.

After the cards are exchanged, betting resumes for up to the predetermined number of rounds. When this limit is reached, or all but one player folds, the players that have not folded show their hands. The best hand wins.