Texas Holdem Basics

Texas Hold’em is easy to learn. Unlike more complicated poker variations, you can easily get the hang of Texas Hold’em after a single game. 

The Texas Hold’em game begins by specifying a minimum bet and a maximum bet. Next, one player is designated the dealer. The player seated to the dealer’s left is designated “the blind”. The player seated to the left of  “the blind” is referred to as “the double blind”. The dealer rotates clockwise with each hand, as do “the blind” and “the double blind.”

In Texas Hold’em, players attempt to assemble the best possible hand using 5 of the 7 available cards.  Each Texas Hold’em player receives two face-down cards, known as the hole cards. Before looking at these cards, “the blind” is required to place a bet typically equal to the specified minimum bet. The “double blind” is required to place a bet equal to twice the amount of “the blind’s” bet. The remaining players are allowed to look at their own cards before deciding whether to bet. Players can choose to call (match the previous players’ contributions to the pot), raise (add money to the pot), or fold (quit).

Next, three community cards, known as the flop, are dealt to the center of the table. Players try to create the best possible hand using their personal hole cards and the flop, while speculating on what other possible combinations they might be able to create when the remaining cards are dealt. Texas Hold’em players do not reveal their hands until the showdown. Don’t forget, there are still two more card to be dealt in Texas Hold’em.

Another round of betting takes place before the fourth communal card, known as the turn, is dealt. Players once again try to create the best possible hand using 5 of the 6 available cards, knowing that there is still one more card to be dealt.

An additional round of betting takes place before the fifth and final communal card, known as the river, is dealt. Before revealing their cards players can once again call, raise, or fold in succession. In the final Texas Hold’em showdown, all the remaining players reveal their cards. In Texas Hold’em the best hand wins the pot!