Introductions To Playing Texas Hold Em Poker

Legal Gambling > How To Play Texas Hold Em

It is no doubt that Texas Hold 'em has become the most commonly played version of poker, and new players are regularly confused over how this game flows. We are here to offer you a brief yet comprehensive guide on how to play this game, so you will be able to hit the tables in no time, fully prepared to take money away from those who are not as talented as you. We have crafted this brief yet comprehensive guide on how to play this most famous game of poker, all to begin playing easily.

The Basics

Texas Hold 'em is a simple game, and it can be played with anywhere from 2 to 10 people per table. Anything more than this and the table becomes somewhat uncomfortable. The game begins by setting three positions to be the dealer, the small blind and the big blind. The small blind will put up half of the minimum bet, while the big blind will put up the full size of the minimum bet. Cards will then be dealt, with the dealer position receiving the first card. Every player receives two cards, known as their hole cards, and then betting begins.

Pre-Flop

The first round of betting in Texas Hold 'em begins after all cards are dealt. The person after the big blind has to bet first, and he or she can call, raise or fold. Players will have to continue around in this fashion. When the pot is right, or all player's bets are in and equal, the next set of cards are dealt. This is three community cards, also known as the flop. When these cards are dealt, players will once again begin to bet. In this case, players can check, or refuse to wager, call if someone else bets, raise the bet on the pot, or fold to remove themselves from the hand.

Post-Flop

After the flop, or the first three cards, is dealt and all betting is finished, another card will be dealt - this is called the turn, or fourth street being that it is the fourth card. Players will once again be able to bet. Generally speaking, there will not be that many players remaining in the hand at this point. After this card and round of betting, players will then see the river, the fifth card. Once again there is a round of betting, but this is the last one. Players will be making their final bet here. When all is said and done, all money is in the pot, and players are ready to finish the hand, the showdown will occur. The player who made the last raise will show his or her cards, then players will show their cards in clockwise order. He or she who has the highest hand value wins the pot.

Poker Hand Rankings

- Highest Card - The highest value card at the table, with 2 being low and Ace being high
- One Pair - Two of the same value card, such as two two's or two aces
- Two Pair - Two individual pairs, such as two two's and two aces simultaneously.
- Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same value, such as three aces.
- Straight - Five sequential cards, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in one hand
- Flush - Having five cards of the same suit, such as any five clubs or spades.
- Full House - Having a pair and three of a kind at the same time, such as two two's and three aces.
- Four Of A Kind - Having four cards of the same value, such as four aces.
- Straight Flush - Having a straight and a flush at the same time.
- Royal Flush - Having The 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit.

Taking The Next Step

There are clearly finer points of Texas Hold 'em, but this is generally learned through experience. You will have to sit at the tables and test the water in order to build the experience required to succeed in Texas Hold 'em. Our guide can only give you a brief introduction to the game, as Texas Hold 'em is a very complex game of psychology, wit, ability and a little bit of luck.

Best Online Poker Site For Playing Texas Hold Em