Intro to Texas Hold Em

 

Texas Hold Em appeals to many new poker players because of how simple it is to learn. Unlike other forms of poker, Texas holdem is simple and easy to grasp. You simply use your two cards with any three of the five on the board to make the best hand. Because you only get two cards to combine with the board there are fewer hands worth playing and slimmer chances of making a good hand. At this point many readers might be thinking there is more to it than that… and there is.

Betting and Game Structure

The game starts with the dealer dealing two cards to every player. Once the cards have been dealt the first round of betting begins. The player sitting to the let of the dealer is the small blind, and the player sitting to the left of the small blind is the big blind. The player to the left of the big blind is first to act, and he/she has the options to…

1. Fold
2. Call the Big Blind
3. Raise

After this person acts, the betting goes around the table until everyone still participating in the hand has the same amount in the pot (all raises have been called). If no one calls a raise (everyone folds except the raiser) then the raiser wins the pot. Let us pause for a quick example.

In a Five Player Game:

The cards have been dealt and it is Player1’s turn to act.

• Player1 decides his hand is playable so he calls the big blind.
• Player 2 calls the big blind as well.
• Player 3 decides that he would like to raise, so he raises.
• Player4(small blind) folds.
• Player5(big blind) calls Player3’s(dealer) raise.
• The action is now back on Player1. Player1 decides to call the raise.
• Player2 decides to fold.
• The action went around the table in a clockwise motion until all players were given the option to fold, call, or raise. Once the action gets back to the initial raiser and there have been no other raises (just callers), the pot is right and the dealer can now deal the flop.

In Texas holdem there are four rounds of betting. One before “the flop”, one after “the flop”, one after “the turn”, and one after “the river”. Just in case you are confused.

The Flop - The first three cards dealt on the board.
The Turn (Also called 4th Street) - The fourth card dealt on the board.
The River - The 5th and final card dealt on the board.

If you still have trouble getting the initial concept of betting, sign up for a poker room and play at the play money tables. I have found this is the best way for a beginner to quickly see how the game is played correctly.

Beginner Tips

• Practice with Play Money at Online Poker Rooms.
• Avoid Bluffing
• Stay away from acting. (Many beginners act weak when they have a strong hand
  and act strong when they have a weak hand.)
• Know the rank of hands.
• Know the top ten starting hands for Texas Holdem.
• Practice, practice, and practice.