Texas Holdem
Texas Holdem is great for beginning poker players. It’s less complicated than other types of poker. As with any game, the best way to learn Texas Holdem is by playing; but most beginners play quite well within a few hours.
Posting the Blinds
Texas Holdem begins with two players—the two to the left of the dealer—putting money, a predetermined amount, on the table, to create the initial pot. This is called “posting the blinds.” The dealer then shuffles the 52-card deck and deals each player two cards, face down. These two cards are “hole” or “pocket” cards; players discretely look at their two cards.
Pre-Flop
A round of betting begins with the next player, the third to the dealer’s left. This is the “pre-flop” round. Amounts wagered differ according to the betting structure.
Flop
Like other poker games, in Texas Holdem the players can check, call, raise,
or fold. Once the pre-flop ends, the dealer discards the deck’s top card
(the “burn card”). The dealer then puts the next three cards face
up on the table. These cards are the “flop.” Any player can use
the flop combined with their pocket cards to form a hand.
Betting Structure
High stake games of Texas Holdem involve a high dollar amount; low stake Holdem
games involve a small dollar amount. If a game has a structured limit, there
is a set betting amount. This is known as Limit Texas Holdem. No Limit Texas
Holdem means any player can raise the bet by any amount.
Turn Card
After another round of betting (starting with the player to the dealer’s left), the dealer again burns the top card and flips one card face up on the table, the “turn” card. Players can use this card to make a five-card hand.
River
After another round, the dealer burns a card and deals a final card, face up, on the table—the “river.” Players can use the five communal cards or the two from their pocket to make a five-card hand.
Showdown
After a final round of betting, all remaining players show their hands. The
player with the best hand wins the pot.
With regular practice, a beginning Texas Holdem player will be playing the
high stakes table in no time. It's no wonder that Texas Holdem is becoming a
popular variety of poker. |
