Basics of Texas Hold'em

Learning Texas Hold'em isn't very difficult. In fact it is rather simple if you take some time learning the basics of Texas Hold'em. The game starts with the two players sitting at the positions immediate to the left of the dealer placing out a predetermined bet. This is the money that gets the action started and it is called posting the blinds.

Each player is now dealt two cards face down. These are called your hole cards or pocket cards. Now follows a round of betting starting with the guy to the left of the two who posted the blinds. This round is usually referred to as the "pre-flop" (or before the flop). The amount a player can bet depends on what kind of game it is. (read more about Texas Hold'em betting structures). At this stage of the game, players can check, raise, or fold.

Pocket cards holding the Big slick. A great hand!

When the first round of betting is finished the dealer flips the next three cards face up on the table. These thre cards are called the flop. These are community cards that any player can combine with their two pocket cards to form a poker hand. Then it's time for another round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer (this position is also known as "under the gun"). Again, players can check, raise, or fold. Checking means not betting and can be done when no bet has been placed yet.

The flop is the first community card.

After the flop is completed, the dealer flips one more card onto the table. This is called the turn card. Players can use this sixth (two face down plus four face up) card now to form a full poker hand (five cards). Again, the player sitting to the immediate left of the dealer begins another round of betting.

On the turn comes the second community card.

Finally, the dealer flips a fifth and final card face up on the table. This is called the river card. Players can now use any of the five cards on the table or the two hole cards to form his/her five card poker hand. There is one final round of betting starting with the player sitting "under the gun". Now, all of the players remaining in the hand begin to show their hands beginning with the player to the left of the last player to call. This is called the showdown. The player who has the best hand wins the chips (or money) in the pot! If there are players with equal hands they will split the pot.

On the river comes the third and last community card.

This is the fundamentals of Texas Hold'em and once you have learnt it you will have to practise to become a good and solid player. Remember - Texas Hold'em is easy to play but difficult to master.