Background

Texas Hold’em is currently the most popular variation of the popular game, poker. It is not the only variation but the most well known form of poker worldwide. Because many poker games are fundamentally similar, learning the basics is a great way to start. In this article, we will discuss the rules specific to Texas Hold’em.

Hold’em can be played with as few as two players but no more then ten. It is classified as a community card game with players using their hole cards plus the community cards to make their hands.

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The Dealer and Blinds

During a game, one individual becomes the dealer, also referred to as the button. After a person deals, the duties go to the person to their left and then in a clockwise direction. The players to the immediate left of the button begin play. They do so by posting the small and big blinds. The player closest to the dealer posts the small blind and the person to their left, the big blind. These are forced bets whose amounts are determined before play begins. After the blinds and antes (if required) are posted, then the button begins to deal the cards.

Pre Flop

Each player in a game of Texas Hold’em receives two cards. These “hole cards” are dealt and placed face down in front of each player. The player who receives them is the only one allowed to look at them. After each participant has their hole cards, the first round of betting begins with the person sitting to the left side of the big blind. Players have the option of folding, calling or raising.

The Flop

After everyone has placed their wagers, the dealer will deal three cards and place them in the middle of the table. He or she will place them face up. These are known as the community cards and this round is called “the Flop”. It’s now time for the second round of betting to begin. Each player will need to decide whether to check, raise, call or fold.

The Turn

The dealer then adds an additional card to the community cards. There are now four cards. This is referred to as “the Turn”. After the Turn card is dealt, the third round of betting will occur.

The River

The dealer places the fifth and final community card on the table. This is referred to as “the River”. There is a fourth round of bets and then the showdown.

Showdown

Players remaining in the game will use their hole cards plus the community cards to create the best 5-card hand they can. The player that has the highest-ranking hand at the table wins and takes home the pot. In instances where there is a tie, the winners will split the pot.

The order of hand rankings in Texas Hold’em from high to low is as follows, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card.

Texas Hold’em is an incredibly popular and fun game. Though it is not difficult to learn, it will require some time, patience, practice and study for persons to become excellent players.