Poker Texas Holdem Tutorial
Texas Hold ’em Poker – An Introduction to the World’s Most Popular Poker Game
A Brief History: Texas Hold 'em (or Hold'em, Holdem) is the most popular poker variant played in casinos in the United States. Hold 'em's simplicity and popularity has inspired a wide variety of strategy books which provide recommendations for proper play. The games are intended for an adult audience. The games do not offer 'real money gambling' or an opportunity to win real money or prizes. Practice or success at social casino gaming does not imply future success at 'real money gambling.' Texas Hold ’em Poker – An Introduction to the World’s Most Popular Poker Game. Texas hold ’em poker is easy to learn and to play. It’s an extremely sociable game that is conducive to conversation and getting to know your fellow players. From two to ten players can play Texas hold ’em poker. Texas hold'em is a simple poker game, but it can be daunting to get to grips with. But don't let that put you off. By the time you are down with this beginner's guide to Texas hold'em, you will know.
by Rege Behe
Texas hold ’em poker is easy to learn and to play. It’s an extremely sociable game that is conducive to conversation and getting to know your fellow players.
From two to ten players can play Texas hold ’em poker. The first two players to the left of the dealer are the small and big blinds, respectively. They must post blinds, or forced bets; this ensures there’s always money in the pot and forces action every hand. As the dealer button moves clockwise after each hand, so will the small and big blinds.
The value of the blinds varies depending on whether it’s a limit game (the amount of each bet is pre-determined) or no-limit game (players can risk any amount of money at any time when it’s their turn to bet). For example, in a 2-4 limit game, the small blind would post one dollar and the big blind would post two dollars. In a 1-3 no limit game, the small blind would post one dollar and the big blind would post three dollars.
The action
Each person at the table is dealt two “hole” cards. The first person to the left of the big blind starts the action. That player can call (match the amount of the large blind); fold (throw in, or “muck” the cards at no cost); or raise (in limit games, twice the amount of the big blind; in no limit, any amount as long as it’s at least double the amount of the big blind). Action continues the same for each player until the big blind is reached. As with the other players, the big blind may check or raise, or fold if there has been a raise.
Five community cards (all players can use them to make a hand) are then revealed over three rounds:
- The flop (three cards)
- The turn (one card)
- The river (the final card)
Betting occurs after each round. In 2-4 limit poker, for instance, all bets pre-flop and post-flop are in increments of two dollars; bets after the turn and the river are in increments of four dollars.
In no-limit poker, bets can be waged in any amount pre-flop as long as they are at least double the big blind. In successive rounds, the minimum raise is the size of the last bet. If a player bets $10, the minimum raise is $10, for a total bet of $20.
After the flop, turn, and river, players also have the option of checking; this passes the action to the next player. If a succeeding player bets, however, the person who checked must call, fold, or raise.
Winning hands of poker:
The object is to make the best five-card hand using one or both hole cards with the community cards. On rare occasions, players don’t have to use either hole cards, using only the five community cards; this is known as playing the board.
How To Play Texas Hold'em Poker: Rules & Hands PokerNews
Here’s the hierarchy of poker hands:
- Royal flush: the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of a single suit.
- Straight flush: Five consecutive cards of a single suit.
- Four of a kind: Four cards of any rank.
- Full house: Three cards of one rank, two cards of another rank .
- Flush: Any five cards of the same suit.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suit.
- Three of a kind: Three cards of any rank.
- One pair: Two cards of any rank.
- High Card: The highest card still in action.
Remember, Aces are the highest rank of cards, and Deuces are the lowest; three Aces beats three Deuces every time.
Here’s a few tips – If you are new to Texas hold ’em poker, it is best to only play premium hands such as: High pairs of Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens. Premiums cards (Ace-King-Queen-Jack-10) adjacent to each other in rank and of the same suit, or unsuited, are also great hands to begin with pre-flop as is any pair 2 through 9. Most importantly, enjoy the game. By talking to your poker “neighbors” and paying attention to the action, you can not only learn the intricacies of Texas hold ’em poker, but will also have a good time.
Rege Behe is a freelance writer and journalist from Pittsburgh.
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Do you like to play poker? Whether you enjoy playing casino games or use online versions to increase your skill level for live plan at traditional casinos, there are three great sites for those that love to play Texas Hold ‘em. Sites like Ignition, Bovada and Intertops rate highest when it comes online gaming. On these sites, you can play Hold’em whenever it’s convenient for you.
Many online sites are based outside of the U.S. but offer a variety of ways that enable American players to set up an account, make a deposit and begin their internet gaming experience. Most sites include a number of different casino games in addition to Hold em. In addition to a variety of table/poker games, they frequently offer a variety of different slots, including some of the newest games available.
Internet gaming and Hold ’em especially has been increasing in popularity, this may be in part due to the fact that just about every state in the United States has some sort of gaming, including riverboat casinos, Indian-run casinos and traditional land-based casinos like those found in Las Vegas.
Play Texas holdem poker:
Texas poker is a fast and lively game with Holdem being one of the most popular types of poker played today. Each player starts receives two hole-cards which are dealt face down. After that, each player receives additional cards that are dealt face up. The winner is the player that has the best combination of cards.
Let’s take a look at each of the top Hold’em gaming sites:
- Ignition: The Ignition Website is very complete and offers many different types of gaming options and also offers a variety of different tournaments for those of different skill levels can try their luck. Like most online gaming sites, gamers will need to sign up and create an account. After that, they can deposit and use real money to wager bets. For those that don’t want to wait for a “seat” to play Texas Hold’em, Omaha or Omaha Hi/Lo they can sign up for a “Quick Seats” which will notify you as soon as a place is available for the player.
- Bovada: The Bovada site offers numerous different casino games including table games, slots, video games, blackjack, horse races, and other specialty games. Bovada offers very clear tutorials on how to play different types of poker and how to deposit and play with cash. Bovada has some big daily and weekly Hold ‘em tournaments including a Sunday online tournament that has a $100,000 guarantee.
- Intertops: Intertops offers many “added value” features. For example, they just launched an online app, bonus offers and low limit “buy-ins.” They even offer a live experience in Aruba where the World Series of Poker will be holding 10 different events with prizes up to $250,000. Play texas hold em poker and many other popular poker games on this dynamic site.
Play Texas holdem online with Top Internet Casinos:
Texas Holdem Poker Tutorial For Beginners
With these great casinos, you can play Texas holdem poker at any time. No matter what type of casino games you prefer slots, table games, Hold’em, slots or live dealers, the top gaming sites have everything a gamer could wish for and payouts that may just rival the real thing!