Texas Hold'em Poker
| BETTING STRUCTURE OF TEXAS HOLD'EM |
At the beginning of a new game of texas holdem poker, each player is dealt two cards face down. (Hole Cards)
Each bet of the first two rounds of betting is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $5/$10 game, all bets and raises are $5 for the first two rounds (after hole cards are dealt and once the flop is spread in center of table).
The last two rounds of betting (turn card and river) are set at the higher limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $5/$10 game, all bets and raises are $10 for the last two rounds.
One bet plus three raises (four total bets) are the maximum amount of bets allowed per betting round. This would consist of (1) a bet, (2) a raise, (3) a re-raise, and (4) a cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and cannot be raised anymore. Once any player has made the third raise (capped the pot), then players will have only the option of calling or folding.
Check-raising is allowed in all online texas holdem poker games. |
| Dealer Button |
In order to designate which player is the theoretical dealer in Texas Holdem poker games, a round disk is used. This disk is called the dealer button or simply "the button".
After each hand is completed, the button moves clockwise to the next active player and this player will be considered to be the dealer, and will act on his/her hand last on each betting round. This is also termed playing the button for that texas holdem game. |
| Blinds |
The player to the left of the button is first to receive a card and is required to post a small blind. The small blind is equal to half the lower limit bet rounded down to the nearest dollar. The player to the left of the small blind is required to post the big blind. The big blind is equal to the lower limit bet. These bets are referred to as blinds because players must post them before the dealer deals any cards to the players. These blinds are similar to the ante that is required in other games such as 7-Card Stud.
Both the small and the big blinds are considered live bets. They have the option of calling, raising or folding when the betting action comes back around to their position. After the flop and after each subsequent betting round, the first active player left of the button is first to act.
When players first sit down to play, they will be required to post the equivalent of the big blind only once or they have the option to "sit out" until it is their natural turn to post the big blind. This rule is in place to ensure game fairness to all players. The rule prevents the possibility of players entering games in late position and then leaving before they are required a post the big blind. |
HOW TO PLAY TEXAS HOLD'EM
The dealer deals players their own two private cards face-down.
First betting round
The dealer spreads three-community board cards face-up on the table. This is commonly called "the flop".
Second betting round
The dealer turns over a fourth board card face-up commonly called "the turn card".
Third betting round
The dealer turns over one final community board card commonly called "the river card".
Fourth and final betting round
Players show their hands. This is commonly called "the showdown".
At the showdown, players may use a combination of both, one, or none of their hole cards to make their best five card hand:
If a player uses both of their hole cards, they will use three of the community board cards; or one hole card and four of the five board cards; or all five board cards, which is commonly called "playing the board" betting.
Texas Holdem Starting Hands
The first thing a Holdem player should learn is which cards are worth playing, and which should be folded. Many beginning players stay in a hand with cards that have little or no future, and it ends up showing in there chip count.
Remember that no two cards alone can be unbeatable, and once the flop falls things that once looked good may no longer be worth pursuing. Still, to give yourself the best chance to succeed, play only the premium hands.
The best starting hands are:
- Large Pairs - Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks. Even pairs of tens and nines and eights are high quality starting hands. Play them.
- Aces with suited High Cards - When you get an Ace with a K,Q,J, or even a ten, many good things can happen. You already have high card. If a flush comes, you'll have the best possible one because of your ace. High straights, and even a straight flush is possible with these cards. Play them.
- Suited Faces Cards and Tens - While it's nicer to have an ace in the hole, suited face cards are playable hands. They hold a lot of potential including high pair with a strong kicker, straights, and flushes.
- Aces with un suited High Cards - Aces with an unsuited partner can still give you top pair with a high kicker, or a high straight. Because other players may also have an ace, the strength of the second card in your hand is important. If two players tie, that second card, or 'kicker' will decide the winner. This is why A-10 is a playable hand, and A-6 is not. (A-10 can also turn into a high straight). So while aces are highly sought after, do not feel the need to play every hand in which you are dealt an ace.
- King with Face Card - A King with a Queen, or with a Jack is a playable hand. But, it is not as strong as you may think. Still, two face cards rank high enough that seeing the flop is often a good idea.
These are the strongest starting hands in a Texas Holdem game. Other hands are playable depending on the circumstances at the table, but beginners may want to stick to playing only these premium hands until they understand the game more fully. Playing these hands will not guarantee that you will be a winner. Poker doesn't work that way. Even pairs of Aces get beaten. But, if you want to win a pot, finding any of the cards listed on the chart in your hand is a good place to start.
