It's time to learn the game that everyone is playing and that everyone is watching. (Well, almost everyone.) Texas holdem comes in three popular varieties: limit, pot-limit and the most popular, no-limit. All three are dealt the same and played the same, yet betting limits and strategy change dependent on the game. There are also two game versions: cash games and
Texas holdem tournaments.
-No-Limit Holdem: If you so choose, you may bet every chip you own at any betting opportunity.
-Pot-Limit Holdem: Maximum bets are restricted to the size of the pot. As the pot grows, so does your betting potential.
-Limit Holdem: Maximum bets are based upon a predetermined amount.
As you can see, the varieties are pretty self-explanatory, so let's waste no more of your time that you could be playing
online Texas holdem!
The Blinds
The dealer will get the party started by placing a small disc (dealer button) in front of the player to his left. The action in the game will always move to the left. Thus, the next two players following the dealer button are required to post blinds. The first player will post the small blind and the next player will post the large blind. Blinds are used for the same purpose as an ante. That is, they insure there is a prize everyone is trying to capture.
Pre-Flop
After the blinds have been posted, the dealer will deal around the table to the left until each player has two cards facedown. These cards are the foundation of your hand. They are your hole, or pocket, cards. After all players have received them, the first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the large blind. At this point, all players must at least equal (call) the largest bet on the table (at this point, the large blind), raise the largest bet or quit the hand (fold). Once all bets are equal, the dealer will place three cards face up on the table: the flop.
The Flop
The three cards making up the flop can be used by any of the remaining competitors in order to build their strongest five-card hand. At this point, another round of betting takes place beginning with the first remaining player to the left of the dealer button. Whoever happens to have the first opportunity to bet may choose to check (pass) the action to the next remaining competitor. It is possible that no money would be added to the pot after the flop. However, that possibility is very unlikely. Once a bet is made, everyone must at least call the bet to remain in the hand, including anyone who previously checked the action. After all bets are equal, the party continues when the dealer offers another community card face up known as the turn.
The Turn
Once the turn card has been placed, another round of betting ensues in the same fashion of the previous round. After all bets are equal, the dealer will put down the final face up community card: the river.
The River
The river is the seventh card on the table, and offers the remaining competitors the opportunity to use any of the seven cards (two pocket, five community) to build their strongest hand. The final round of betting begins, and for anyone remaining after all bets are equal, it's time to experience the showdown. All players will show their cards in the order that they played and the player with the highest value five-card hand is declared the winner. The dealer shuffles, rotates the dealer button and blind responsibilities one player to the left and the whole process repeats.
After a few hands, you'll have the hang of the game flow and you can begin reading up on Texas holdem tips and how to maximize your winning potential. A good idea is to start practising the game by playing free poker; play money or Texas holdem freerolls. Good luck!
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