How to Play Texas Hold’em
Of all the poker variations available to choose from, it is said that Texas Hold’em is the easiest to learn. For novice poker players, being able to pick up the game quickly is a huge bonus and is the obvious choice to start your online poker career. Like many things in life though, playing Texas Hold’em is something that is easy to pick up but very difficult to master. Continual playing and practising is the best way to home your skills but becoming good at Texas Hold’em won’t come over night.
Firstly, you will be dealt two cards, both of which will come face down. These cards are commonly referred to as hole cards or pocket cards. This begins a round of betting, which is begun by the player seated at the left of the blinds. This round is referred to as the pre-flop and all players are able to fold, raise or call at this point. Once the betting has been concluded, the dealer discards the card at the top of the deck.
Watch for the pre-flop
The pre-flop betting round has occurred and the flop takes place when the dealer turns three cards over onto the table. These cards can be taken by any of the players to be used alongside their two cards to form a poker hand. Following this, the player on the left of the dealer begins another round of bets.
Once these bets have been concluded, the dealer performs the turn, and turns another card onto the table. After the turn, another round of betting takes place and then the dealer places a final card face up onto the table.
This is referred to as the river and players are able to use any of the five cards placed on the table or the two they hold to create their five card poker hand. Another round of betting takes place and the showdown begins.
Best hand takes the pot
Any player that hasn’t folded should now show their hand and using a combination of the community cards and their own two cards, they will attempt to make the best hand. As you would expect, the player with the best hand takes the pot.
After you play a couple of times, you will be in the swing of Texas Hold’em in no time at all but then the fun really begins. Learning how to best utilise your own cards, the community cards and determining what other players are going to do is where the best Texas Hold’em players shine.
