Texas Hold’em is the single most popular poker variant today and has been for years for newcomers as well as professionals. The greatest feature of the game is that it is easy to learn because of its simple rules. From here on though, it really begins to shine even brighter because of the complicated, labyrinthine strategies that can take decades to master, if even then. Following are some rules central to the game meant to be an introduction for the beginner and a chance to sharpen the skills of the more advanced player.

Nuts and Bolts of Texas Hold’em Play

There will be a maximum of ten players in the game. The dealer is usually the one who draws the highest card prior to the deal, but often the dealer is designated by the house. In any case, the dealer, also termed the button, is the last one to play. The first one to play is known as the small blind and is the player situated next to the dealer. The small blind player begins by anteing one-half of the limit amount. Next to him is the large blind, then the remaining players follow. The button has the best seat in the house as he is able to gather much information as to what is in his opponent’s hands by making careful observations of their raises, re-raises and lack of same.

The players are allowed to call, raise or fold on the ante bet to the extent of the limit in limit hold’em or through the roof in no-limit hold’em, unless the house puts a cap on re-raising limits of three per round, which is not uncommon. Also in no-limit the players can go all in which raises the bet to the limit of the player’s stash on hand. Pot-limit lets the players raise to the limit of the total cash in the pot.

Usually the player new to the game will start out with limit poker, then as he gains experience and expertise will move on to the no-limit games. Interestingly, should all players but one fold on a raise, that remaining player “wins blind” and takes the pot no matter what he is holding in his hand. Should this not be the case, the winner is the holder of the best 5-card hand assembled from his hole cards and the community cards. The rankings of the hands are as follows from highest to lowest: royal straight flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, and a pair and a high card.

The Play of the Game

A round of betting starts the game with a flop to show the table the community cards. Before the flop though, the players bet on only their hole cards. At this point, the players have the option to fold, call or raise to the limit the particular game allows. In any case, the strongest starter hand would be a pair of aces, while the weakest is an unsuited 2-7.

After the dealer shows the players the three community cards in the flop, the next round of betting ensues with the small blind being the first to take action. Next betting round shows the fourth card, the turn, and lastly comes the fifth or river card. Now its showdown time where the best 5-card hand from the player’s hand in combo with the community cards wins the pot, unless of course, all opponents folded and he is the winner regardless of his hand.

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