Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em is the most popular form of poker played in poker rooms today, both
land-based and online. As the chosen game of the World Series of Poker Finals, it
is the game by which ultimate poker skill is measured.
Texas Hold'em is a fast-paced, exciting type of poker, with lots of betting action.
Each player is dealt 2 cards, and then 5 communal cards are dealt to the board,
over the course of 3 betting rounds. This means that all the players at the table
can see 5 out of the 7 possible cards that everyone will use to build their strongest
hand for the showdown. Contrast this with 7-Card Stud where each person only has
two cards visible, and 5 cards cannot be seen by the other players. The upshot is
that it is easier to predict what hands your opponents could be holding. This, on
the one hand, is an advantage, but also means that it can be harder to bluff. This
makes for a fast, aggressive game in which you'll need to know your stuff to survive.
If you're new to Texas Hold'em or want to brush up on the most popular form
of poker on the 'net, use the links below to find the information you need…
Rules
Sequence of play
- The two players immediately to the left of the Dealer begin by posting the blind
bets.
- Two pocket cards are dealt to each player, face-down
- First round of betting - options are to fold, bet, or raise.
- Only one bet, and three raises per player are allowed on the first round.
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Players cannot "check" in the first round, as Blinds are live bets, not antes. The
only player with the option of checking is the one who posted the big blind, as
long as no one else has raised.
- Three communal cards (the "flop") are dealt face-up in the center of the table.
All communal cards are active for all players and can be used in combination with
each player's two cards.
- Second round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
- Fourth communal card (the "Turn") is dealt face-up.
- Third round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
- If at this stage there are still at least two players in the remaining in the hand,
the fifth and final communal card (the "River") is dealt face-up.
- Final round of betting follows.
- The Showdown! All remaining players then create the best five-card hand possible.
You can use:
- Both pocket cards and three communal cards
- One pocket card and four communal cards
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All five communal cards
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The best hand wins the pot. If two or more Players have the same winning hand, the
pot is split equally between them.
Betting Rules
- As per normal poker rules - playing and betting proceeds in a clockwise direction.
- The two players immediately to the left of the Dealer post the blind bets.
- Small Blind (the player who sits to the immediate left of the Dealer) bets an amount
equal to half the lower betting limit.
- Big Blind (the player who sits to the left of the Small Blind) posts an amount equal
to the lower betting limit.
- Betting increments in the game determine the blinds. In a game of $2 and $4 betting
increments, the small blind is $1, and the big blind is $2.
- The blind bets in Texas Hold'em are considered as active bets, and therefore, players
have the option to check, fold, call, and raise when the betting action returns
to their position.
- Only one bet, and three raises per player are allowed on the first round.
- Players cannot "check" in the first round, as Blinds are bets, and not antes. (The
exception is the player who posted the big blind, as long as no one has raised.)
- Second and subsequent betting rounds - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
- All bets must be placed according to the game's betting increments.
- There are four possible betting rounds in Texas Hold'em poker. Each bet and raise
during the first two rounds is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure, and
for the last two rounds at a higher limit structure. For example in a $1/$2 Texas
Hold'em game, all bets and raises are $1 for the first two rounds (after pocket
cards are dealt and after the flop). All bets and raises are $2 for the last two
rounds (after the turn and after the river).
- The maximum number of bets allowed per player during any betting round in Texas
Hold'em poker is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4)
cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since further raises
are not allowed. Once capped, players only have the options of calling or folding.
- In betting rounds where players have folded, the first active player to the left
of the Disc/Dealer is first to act.
- To ensure fairness for all players, new players entering a Texas Hold'em game are
required to post the equivalent of the big blind if they wish to participate in
the next hand. All players have the option of sitting out and waiting for the actual
big blind to come around to their position before starting play.
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By preventing players from constantly entering poker games in a late position and
leaving before they're required to post a blind, these rules stop potential abuse
of the online environment.
Texas Hold'em Tips
Although the Texas Hold'em rules are easily learned and deceptively simple, it is
still a game that requires a certain amount of skill.
- Five of the seven total cards can be seen after the flop. At this point, you will
have a good indication of how strong your hand will be in the final round. Consider
your cards, and bet carefully. Staying for the Turn and the River demands that you
either have a strong hand, a draw to a potentially winning hand, or good reason
to believe that betting aggressively in a future round may cause your opponents
to fold.
- As a general rule, don't continue beyond the flop without diverse possibilities
- a strong pair with a decent side-card, strong overcards, or a straight or flush
draw. If you flop a draw, stick with it as long as the pot promises a greater payoff
than the odds against making your hand.
- Although Ace-King is a terrific starting combination, it generally needs to catch
a flop with either an Ace or King in it to play aggressively.
- When you must act before most of your opponents, play few hands. Acting last in
Hold'em is like batting last in baseball. It's a big advantage. In fact, hands that
you'd routinely fold from early position might be raising hands if you are last
to act.
- Carefully consider how the communal cards can combine with your two hidden pocket
cards to create a winning hand. By the same token, consider what possible hands
your opponents could be holding.
- Call it quits when necessary. You haven't lost much if you have a worthless hand
and fold early in the game. It's good practice to err on the side of caution; it
costs less.
- Success at Texas Hold'em demands that you be patient, pay close attention to position,
and take comfort in the knowledge that good hands are run down less often than the
best seven-card stud hands.
Texas Hold'em requires patience & discipline. Be selective on what hands you play,
and when you do decide to play ahand, be as aggressive as you can.
Texas Hold'em Terminology
Board
The communal cards on the table.
Blind Bet
A "Blind Bet" is a forced bet that is taken before the cards are dealt - made instead
of an Ante. It is posted by the two Players to the left of the Dealer. A "Small
Blind" is placed by the Player to the Dealer's left. The "Big Blind" is placed by
the Player left of the Small Blind.
Flop
The first three communal cards dealt.
Hole Cards
The two cards that are dealt face-down to each player (also called "pocket" cards)
Turn
The fourth communal card dealt.
River
The fifth and final, communal card dealt.
Puck/buck/button
A moving disc which indicates the Dealer, and moves in a clockwise direction.
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