Home

An Introduction To Texas Holdem Poker

Texas Hold 'Em poker is by far the best game for a beginner to learn.

Instead of other poker games like Omaha High or 7 card stud which entail a great many more possibilities for calculating odds and perhaps even trying to count cards, Hold'Em can be learned in a few minutes by anyone, and you can be playing fairly well with a few hours practice. In order to learn the game, however, you must play and you must play fairly often.

Texas Hold'em is a popular poker games being played in casino card rooms.

Here's How:

1. Betting Limits are established for the game. The highest bet is twice the size of the minimum bet.

2. Player to the left of the dealer posts (puts up) the "small blind" bet which is approx. one-half the minimum bet.

3. Player to left of small blind posts the "big blind" which is equal to the minimum bet.

4. Two cards are dealt to each player face down.

5. A betting round begins with the first player to the left of the big blind. Players may call, raise or fold. Bets must be the game minimum.

6. Three cards are dealt (Flopped) face up in the middle of the table. These are community cards used by all players.

7. A second betting round takes place starting with the first active player to left of the dealer.

8. A forth community card is dealt face up.

9. A third betting round takes place.

10. A fifth and final community card is dealt face up.

11. The final betting round takes place.

12. Remaining player compare hands to determine the winner.

Texas Holdem Rules

Highest hand wins || Players may use one, both or neither of their hole cards to make their highest hand || Ace plays both high and low for straights || Three raise limit per round || Cards speak

Card Distribution and Betting Procedure

Flop, turn and river layout

Example: $2/$4 Hold'em with a double blind

At casino Hold'em tables, a round plastic marker called the dealer "button" is placed in front of the player who would be dealing if a house dealer were not provided. The button is moved one seat clockwise after each game and the card distribution and betting starts to the left of that position. Each player is dealt two cards face down. Then, a total of five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table in three betting segments (3-1-1). After all the cards are dealt the players make the best hand that they can by combining either one, both, or neither of their two hole cards with five community cards. Using the illustration above, a player holding a king and a ten would end up with two pair, kings over tens with an ace. With this board, that player's two pair would be vulnerable to higher two pairs, trips, straights and flushes.

The betting procedure goes like this: (1.) Before each player is dealt two down cards, the player at the immediate left of the button, called the "Small Blind" is forced to bet $1 (half the minimum bet). Then the player to his left and two seats to the left of the button, called the"Big Blind", is forced to bet $2. Each player is then dealt a two card hand. Then the player at the left of the big blind is first to act and he must either call the big blind's $2 bet, raise, or fold his hand. Continuing in turn clockwise, all the players around the table either call, raise or fold.

texas holdem poker rules betting procedure

When the betting gets back around to the small blind, he or she can fold and lose only the half minimum bet of $1 placed earlier, call the amount necessary to get up to the betting level or raise $2 if there is a raise left. The big blind is then the last to act before any cards are turned up in the middle. The blinds are played in the first round only( 2.) The dealer turns three cards up in the center of the table. This is the "Flop". As always, the player at the left of the button is first to act. There are no more forced bets and the players can all check around if they want to. Bets right after the flop are at the $2 minimum bet level. (3.) Now comes the "Turn" card with more betting that now goes to the $4 level (4.) Finally the last, or "River" card is turned up. The last $4 betting round takes place. The players still in the contest reveal their hole cards and the highest hand wins the pot.

Hold'em Strategy
General Hold'em Strategy:

Hold'em is basically HIGH card game. The players holding two good high cards have the best chance at the best hand or a draw to the best hand after the flop. Only play strong hands, that will stand a raise or multiple raises, from early betting positions. Play medium strength and other playable hands from the later positions if you have a good chance of seeing the flop at a reasonable price. Play strong high hands MOST of the time, and play them very aggressively. Take all the raises you can get. If you don't thin out the competition, you reduce your chances of winning. Plus, your aggressive play before the flop can add credibility to any strong play you might want to use on the next round if a garbage flop falls and you want to try a steal. Be ready to fold your high pair if you get a lot of action with a threatening flop.

Definitions:
HIGH CARDS - A thru 10 (Aces, Faces and Tens)
MEDIUM CARDS - 9 thru 7
LOW CARDS - 6 thru 2
SUITED PLAYER HAND (S) - Both cards of the same suit.
NUT HAND - An unbeatable hand. Sometimes called a "lock".
FLOP, TURN. RIVER - The community cards in the order of distribution. See top illustration.
FAST PLAY - Bet, raise and re-raise to get as many other players out as possible.
SLOW PLAY - Just check or call along to keep other players in the game to increase the pot odds.
CHECK-FOLD - Check when you can and fold if you are bet into. Gladly accept all free cards offered.

Here's How:

Tips: