Texas hold’em is the most popular variation of poker. The majority of player traffic at an online poker room can be found at the Texas hold’em tables and most online tournaments are run in Texas hold’em.
Beginning the Game of Texas Hold’em
Texas hold’em is generally played with nine to ten players seated around a table. A short-handed game refers to a game with fewer than nine or ten players. A standard 52 card deck is used. The dealer changes each round and the first dealer is determined by the player that is dealt the highest ranking single card.
Sections of the Game of Texas Hold’em
Pre-Flop – The pre-flop is a bet that is placed by each player before the dealer deals any cards. There are two types of pre-flop bets – the big blind and the small blind. The players that place each blind changes each round. The pre-flop is placed to ensure that there will be some money in the pot even in a situation where all the players but one, fold.
The Hole Cards – Once the pre-flop bets have been placed, the dealer deals two cards to each player, which are known as the hole cards. Each player then has a turn with the chance to call the bet (match it), raise the bet (increase) or fold their cards.
Flop – The dealer deals one card to the side to remain out of play (which is referred to as burning the card). The dealer then deals the first three of the five community cards into the center of the table. These first three cards become known as the flop. Players once again have turns deciding whether to call, raise or fold.
Turn – The turn is also sometimes referred to as Fourth Street. The dealer burns a second card and then deals the fourth community card into the center of the table. Players each have another turn to call, raise or fold.
River – The river is also sometimes referred to as Fifth Street. The dealer burns another card and then deals the fifth and final community card into the center of the table. Each player has a turn to fold, call or raise their bet. At this stage there may only be one player left in the game, in which case he will win the entire pot.
Showdown – If there is more than one player left in the game following the river, then a showdown occurs. The players who remain in the game take turns to show their hand. The player who makes up the best five card poker hand wins the game. At any point during this process, a player can muck (fold). This allows a player to concede the pot without showing their hand and revealing their playing style to the other players. If none of the players hold a poker hand, then the highest card from each hand is compared. If the highest card matches, then the second cards are compared etc until a winner is found.
