How To Play Texas Hold'em Poker

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 26th, 2010

Today Texas hold em has become the most popular of all poker games that a person is able to play today around the world. This game is not only played in casinos around the world but it is now available to many online as well. The great thing about this game and all games of poker is it provides the player with a chance to think and use strategies to outwit their opponents. However in this article we will be taking a quick look at how to play Texas hold em.

Firstly before the game actually begins and the cards are to be dealt a betting limit will be established. In every case the highest bet a person can place will double that of the minimum bet that has been set prior to the start of the game.

The player who sits on the left of the dealer will then post (place/put up) a ?small blind? bet. This bet will be about ½ of what the minimum bet is. Whilst the player to the left of this player will then post the ?big blind? bet which is the same as the minimum bet already agreed to at the beginning of the game.

The dealer now deals 2 cards to each player who is taking part and they must be face down. Once these have been dealt then the betting can begin. The first player to make a bet is the one who is to the left of the player who posted the big blind bet. As they go around the table then each player can decide whether they call (stay on the same bet), raise (bid higher) or fold (they take themselves out of the game). However all bets that are placed during this stage must be the same as the minimum bet level.

Next the dealer will deal 3 cards (called the flop) which are placed face up in the middle of the table. These are known as the community cards and which can be used by all the players.

Once these have been dealt then another round of betting will take place and this time it starts with the first player (active) who is still in the game and is to be found to the left of the dealer.

After this round of betting has been completed another community card is dealt face up by the dealer and then the third round of betting can commence. Upon completion of this round of betting the fifth and last community card will be dealt by the dealer (again face up) on to the table. Then after this card has been dealt the final round of betting with those players that are still in the game commences. Again the betting will commence with the player that is still active in the game and to the left of the dealer.

Now that the final round of betting has taken place in the game those left in the game will then determine who is the winner by looking at the cards that each player has. Above we have shown you in very brief detail how to play Texas hold em. But there are plenty of sites on the internet which could provide you with more detailed information with regard to this subject.