How to Play Texas Holdem
Texas Holdem is a form of poker that involves community cards, which are cards that every player can see and use. Texas Holdem is the most popular type of poker in the world, which may be caused in part by the television airtime it receives.
Texas Holdem Setup
Texas Holdem can be played by as few as two players. The maximum number of players using the same deck is nine. Tournament Texas Holdem allows for hundreds of people to play, as many different tables are set up – each with their own deck of cards. If you’re playing an informal home game, you could setup two tables if you have more that nine people playing.
Texas Holdem uses a standard deck of 52 cards. Also, chips are typically used to represent certain amounts of money that player put into the center of the table, known as the pot.
The first dealer is chosen using any method that the players agree upon. Then, the position of dealer moves clockwise after every round so every player will get a chance to be the dealer. In a casino, there will always be the same casino employee who is actually handling the cards. However, a dealer “button” will be passed clockwise around the table to determine player positions.
First, the big blind and small blind are played. The person to the left of the dealer button puts up the small blind, which is half of the minimum bet. The player to the left of the small blind puts up the big blind, which is the entire minimum bet. These bets are placed to make sure that is always at least some money at stake.
Then, the dealer deals two face-down cards to each player, one at a time. These cards are known as “hole” cards.
Texas Holdem Poker Tips
The following Texas holdem poker tips provide a brief overview of game play and basic strategy.
First, each player looks at their hole cards and decides whether they want to call, raise, check or fold. A call is when a player matches the bet that is on the table. For the first player to act, this would be matching the big blind. A raise is when a player matches the current bet and adds to it. A check is known as a zero bet or a pass. This is when a player has met the minimum bet and does not wish to raise. Folding is when a player decides to throw away their cards and sit out for the rest of the hand. If any player raises, all of the players must meet the raised amount or fold. This means that betting could go around the table several times within one round.
How to Play Texas Holdem
After the betting round is over, the dealer burns another card and turns the next card face up in the middle of the table. This is the fourth community card known as the “turn.” Another round of betting occurs.
Then, the dealer burns a card and presents the final community card, known as the “river.” After the river is revealed, there is one last round of betting. When this round is over, the player who has formed the best hand wins the pot.
Texas Holdem Hands
In Texas Holdem, the chances of getting a good hand are increased compared to other types of poker. This is because a player has seven cards with which to form a hand, rather than five. The Texas Holdem hands and rankings from least to most powerful are:
- Nothing: A hand with no combination. While this hand cannot win, it can still be played by bluffing. Bluffing is a strategy where a player will continually bet high in order to make their opponents think that they have a great hand, even if they have nothing. This can pressure other players into folding.
- High Card: Having one card that is higher than any other player’s cards. In poker, the highest card is an Ace, followed by King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8 and so on.
- Pair: Two cards of the same rank. For example, having two Jacks in your hand is a pair.
- Two Pair: Having two pairs. Two 5s and two Kings would constitute two pair.
- Three-of-a-kind: Three cards of the same rank. For example, three 4s would be three-of-a-kind.
- Straight: Five cards in sequential order. For example, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen would be a straight.
- Flush: Five cards in the same suit. Any five cards will work, as long as they all have the same suit (hearts, for example).
- Full House: A pair and three of a kind at the same time. For example, two 8s and three 2s would be a full house.
- Four-of-a-kind: Four cards that have identical rank. An example of four-of-a-kind could be having four 7s.
- Straight Flush: A straight where all of the cards are of the same suit.
- Royal Flush: The highest-ranked hand in Texas Holdem. This is a straight flush with the cards 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
Texas Holdem is a game with many facets and different strategies. There have been many books entirely devoted Texas Holdem strategy. However, as long as you know the basics, you’re ready to start playing Texas Holdem.