Texas Holdem Basics

Compared to any other form of poker, Texas Holdem is by far among the most popular at online poker sites and at many of the offline poker rooms. In fact, at some of the major offline poker rooms, Texas Holdem is the only game offered. With Texas Holdem being so popular, as a new player or even an experienced player, its important to know the basics of how the game is played. Although the content and guidelines listed below seem basic and straight forward, mastering Texas Holdem takes years of practice and skill. We display a number of good illustrations that can show you the basics of how to play texas holdem poker.

Before we discuss how the game is played, its important to note that there are a few different variations of texas holdem, these variations are as follows and most of these variations can be played at all the top online poker sites and at the major offline poker clubs and casinos.

• Limit Texas Holdem – When playing limit holdem, each game has a set or specific betting limit applied. As an example, a game with limits of $1/$2 has a $1 blind, when the first round of betting takes place, to call you would bet $2 and to raise you would bet $4.
• No Limit Texas Holdem – This is the true cadillac of poker and the game played at the WSOP main event. In this form of Texas Holdem, there are no limits or rules on betting. Players can bet as much as they want.
• Pot Limit Texas Holdem – In this form of holdem, your maximum bet is restricted to the maximum size of each pot.

Below are some simple illustrations that outline how the basic form of Texas Holdem is played

In the above picture, up to 10 players are placed around a poker table. The dealer button (marked with a "D") always moves around the table in a clockwise direction

In order to get the action started, the two players immediately to the left of the dealer need put in a blind bet, also known as an Ante bet. These are referred to as the Big and Small Blind bets. The small blind bet is always equal to the min table structure while the big blind is always equal to the amount of the maximum table structure.

After the blinds are layed out, the cards are dealt. Each player is dealt two cards, face down in front of them. The dealing of these cards ends at the dealer button. These cards are often referred to as the pocket cards.

Once the pocket cards are dealt, the first round of betting always starts with the player that is seated directly after the big blind. There are 3 options that each player has when the action is on them: The player can fold, this is when they give up their cards and leave the hand. The players can call, this means that they match the maximum table structure with a bet. And finally, the players can raise. When raising, players bet more then what the maximum table structure is.

When playing Texas Holdem, once the 1st round of bets is complete, who ever is still left in the hand can continue to play and receive more cards. The next cards that are dealt is called the "Flop". The flop deals 3 cards face up in the middle of the table. These cards are called community cards and can be used by all players that are still participating in the pot to make the best possible 5 card hand. There is another betting round that starts with the player that is seated directly after the dealer position.

Once the betting round from the flop is complete, a 4th card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This card is referred to as the "Turn". Again, the betting starts with players that are still left in the hand and begins with the player seated directly to the left of the dealer.

Once the betting round is complete, there is a 5th and final card that is dealt. This card is called "The River Card" and is dealt face up in the middle of the table. The final round of betting begins then with the player that is seated directly after the dealler button.

As soon as the final round of betting is done, all players must reveal their cards to see who one the pot. The winner is always the person that managed to form the best possible or highest hand using their two pocket cards and the five community cards on the table.