Learn the Basics of Texas Hold'em
Each hand proceeds according to the same basic steps:
"Post the Blinds"
At the begining of each hand the "blinds" are posted". There is a small blind and a big blind. These are forced bets that ensure at least a minimum amount of action in every hand. The small blind is the position to the left of the "dealer button". This player posts a minimum prescribed bet. The big blind is the position to the left of the small blind. The big blind posts a bet equal to twice the small blind. The player to the left of the big blind receives her cards first.
"The Hole Cards"
Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, each player is dealt two cards face down, followed by a round of betting. To remain in the hand, each player has to make a bet that is at least equal to the size of the big blind. Each player has the option to "raise" the bet by betting at least twice the big blind. Subsequent players must now either "call" this new large bet by matching it or "re-raising" the bet by matching the raise plus adding an amount at least equal to the amount of the raise. If a player chooses not to bet, she must "fold" her cards and wait for the next hand.
"The Flop"
Three "community" cards are then dealt in the middle of the table. Each player may use the community cards together with her two face down cards to make the best five card poker hand. This is followed by another round of betting. The player in the small blind position is first to act. Each player must wait until the player to her right has acted before she may act.
Before dealing the fourth community card, the dealer discards or "burns" the next card. This is the "burn card". A fourth community card (the turn, or fourth street) is then dealt face up. With six cards now available each player determines her best five card poker hand. This is followed by another round of betting which proceeds in the same way as the previous two rounds of betting.
The dealer then "burns" one more card before dealing the final community card (the river, or fifth street) face up. At this time the player determines her best five card poker hand. A final round of betting proceeds as above. Players then reveal their hands to determine the winner of the pot. Often a player with a losing hand may throw away or "muck" her hand without revealing it. To keep other players guessing it is usually a good idea not to reveal your hand unless you have won the pot. If at any time all other players fold or muck their hands, the remaining player wins the pot. The dealer button then rotates one position to the left and the next hand begins.
Betting Limits
Limit Hold'em -
During each round of betting there is a set limit to the amount that each player may bet. Limit Hold'em combines finesse, betting strategy and good fortune to maximize the size of each pot won and minimize the size of each pot lost.
During each round of betting there is a set limit to the amount that each player may bet. Limit Hold'em combines finesse, betting strategy and good fortune to maximize the size of each pot won and minimize the size of each pot lost.
Pot Limit Hold'em -
During each round of betting each player may bet no more than the total amount of chips in the "pot". The "pot" is the total amount collectively bet by all the players. Pot Limit Hold'em combines the finesse of Limit Hold'em with the high risk of No Limit Hold'em.
During each round of betting each player may bet no more than the total amount of chips in the "pot". The "pot" is the total amount collectively bet by all the players. Pot Limit Hold'em combines the finesse of Limit Hold'em with the high risk of No Limit Hold'em.
No Limit Hold'em -
During each round of betting players may bet any amount, including all of the their chips at once. This is called "going all in". No Limit Hold'em is a high risk game combining stratgey with aggression and intimidation. In high stakes games a single pot can total over $1,000,000.
During each round of betting players may bet any amount, including all of the their chips at once. This is called "going all in". No Limit Hold'em is a high risk game combining stratgey with aggression and intimidation. In high stakes games a single pot can total over $1,000,000.
Want to practice? Try Ultimatebet.com Just click on the link below.