Does Person to left of Dealer act first in Texas hold'em when flop is dealt?

Question

Please help. Been playing Texas Hold'em with guys from home and I believe they are not playing it correctly when it comes to who acts first after the initial 2 cards are dealt(Pre-flop). I've checked the rules and it's the person to the left of the dealer but they insist that they play rules where it's the person who was to the left of the big blind to act first and when that round is complete(If anyone is still in by the Turn/River stage) it falls on the person who is then left to the person who acted first previousley, basically making it a different person each time. Whilst this is the same for everyone I'm convinced it's not suiting my style of play and that it should be played by the rules, that the person to the left of the dealer acts first all the time in that particular pot apart from when initial blinds are posted. Can anyone back me up and give reasons why what they are doing is wrong so I can actually take a print-out and show them so they start playing properly!!!

I think you got me wrong. It's the betting when the community cards are dealt is what I'm concerned about. It's meant to start with the person to the left of the dealer at this point.....my mates insist on starting from person to left of BB. That wouldn't be so bad if it at least continued like that when turn/river was dealt but they insist that a new person acts first in the betting for the tunr and then the River!! For example; Players 1, 2, 3 and 4 are left in the game. 1 was dealer and 2 BB. They play it so that 3 would act first when community cards are dealt(as he/she is left of bb) and then if everyone where still in at turn card then it would be person to left of 3 who would act first, that being 4. If it went to the River it would then be back to 1 as they left of 4. I think this way is wrong.

Answer 1

If you follow THE rules of Texas Hold'em, you are right. The first person to act after you get your two cards, is the person to the left of the big blind. After the flop, turn, river, it is always the first person to the left of the dealer that starts. That is sometimes the small blind, sometimes not, just depends on who is still in the hand.

Now, every home game can have their own rules. My fiance's sister and her friends play that who ever made the last action the round before (ie a raise or a bet if everyone checks) acts first. I hate that method of playing...like you I find it doesn't suit my style when you learn to play by the rules. However, it did make it a challenge!

So, you are correct, you should tell them to read a set of rules. But, if you are playing at their house and that is the way they want to play, I guess you have to respect that.

Answer 2

First it's the player "under the gun" who act first ( at the left to the BB), and after that (after the flop) it's the SB who act first(if he's in the hand)or the players to the left of the button (dealer) act first.

That's why be under the gun is the worst position, because you act first, and be the button is good because it's the position of "power" you can see everybody acting before you (except the blinds for the pre-flop)

For example if nobody is in the hand, or raise before it's your turn to act (you're the button), you can put pressure on the blinds if you have a decent hand

BASICALLY JUST FOLLOW WHAT I JUST SAID AND THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO DO.
AFTER THE FLOP THE PLAYER TO THE LEFT OF THE DEALER ACT FIRST, AND IT'S ALWAYS THE ONE TO THE LEFT OF THE DEALER WHO ACT FIRST......OF COURSE THING CHANGE IF THE SB FOLD, AND THE ONE NEXT TO HIM FOLD.....BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.....IT'S THE ONE TO THE LEFT OF THE BUTTON....YOUR FRIENDS ARE WRONG (Sorry for the misundertanding).
Take care

Answer 3

You are correct and your friends are wrong before the flop during the first round of betting the first person to act is the person to the left of the big blind but after that its always the person to the left of the dealer that acts first. I've never heard of anyone doing it the way you described.

Answer 4

let me start off by saying you sound very stressfull my friend.
but there is a solution to every problem.

I noticed in the second phase of ur qeustion that u said you were BB and dealer on same hand......this is impossible in any poker spread...ill explain.

in every poker game there is a little guy called the "button" chip, now this chip renders who will deal..and that button moves left for rest of game (person per person) .SB and BB are set left to the "button" a.k.a dealer.......therefore making it impossible for u to deal and post blind same pre flop. now this button comes with almost every standard poke kit ..and even if you dont have one use an odd coloured chip...or anything...let ur imaginatin guide you on tht one.


i hope this advice solves the tension at your poker table.
P.S. your buddy's have been ringing you dry for long enough :