Texas Holdem Poker

Texas Holdem is the most popular of all poker variations. All the big tournaments (WPT, EPT, WSOP Main Event) are played in this format. The main reason for this is because this variation is very easy to learn for people who are new to the game. But don't let the simplicity of the game mislead you. The number of possible game situations is so vast that, when playing at a high level, the game can be very complex. Thus the renowned expression: "It takes a moment to learn, but a lifetime to master.'

When playing the game for the first time, you will be confronted with some of the basic rules which are explained below.

The Button

The Button determines which player at the table is the dealer. When playing in casinos or online, you won't have to worry about who the dealer is. When playing with friends, everyone usually takes turns at dealing the cards. A small tip: usually there will always be someone present who is good at dealing cards: offer him a beer and ask him if he wants to be the permanent dealer.

The cards are dealt clockwise, so the first card goes to the player left of the button. The player on the button is the last one to receive cards.

After every round the dealer button moves to the next player, also clockwise.

The Blinds

Before every new round, two players at the table are obligated to post 'blinds'. Without these blinds the game would be very boring. In tournaments the blinds are raised regularly, as the number of players keeps decreasing and the stacks of the remaining players keep getting bigger. In cash games the blinds will always stay the same.

The player directly to the left of the button is the 'small blind' and the player to his left is the 'big blind'. The small blind is usually half the amount of the big blind.

The Aim of the Game

Winning, of course! In order to achieve this, you need to be holding the best combination of cards. Every player receives two concealed cards ('Hole Cards'). Every player keeps these cards to himself until the end of the round. During the round, a total of five 'Community Cards' appear on the board (first three, then one, then another one). These five cards are visible for every player. Once all five cards are down, players have to make the best 5-card combination from these seven cards. For this players can choose to use both their Hole Cards combined with three Community Cards, one Hole Card and four Community Cards, or even five Community Cards and none of their Hole Cards. The player with the best combination of cards wins the 'pot', which is the sum of all bets that have been placed in that round.

First Betting Round

This takes place right after the Hole Cards have been dealt. The first player to act is the player left of the Big Blind. This player then has three options:

Call (match the amount of the Big Blind).

Raise (increase the bet of the Big Blind).

Fold (throw your hand away. The player chooses to get out of the hand and is no longer in the game for the duration of the round. This is also referred to as 'mucking' your hand)

The amount a player can raise to depends on the game that is being played.

Limit Holdem: you can only raise by the amount of the Big Blind.

Pot Limit Holdem: you can only raise by a maximum of the pot size (the total bets that have been placed at that time).

No Limit Holdem: you can raise by any amount you want. When you bet all of your remaining chips you are said to be 'all-in.'

The players who follow (we are going around the table clockwise) have the same three options, in addition to a ReRaise (or a ReReRaise). A ReRaise has to be at least the amount of the previous Raise.

Second Betting Round

Three cards are now dealt face-up on the table. This is called the 'Flop'. In this betting round, and all that follow from now on, action starts with the player left of the button. Besides Bet, Call, Fold, Raise and ReRaise, players now also have the option to 'Check'. This means you don't have to put any money in and you can wait and see what the other players do.

Third Betting Round

The fourth card (called Turn or Fourth Street) is now dealt face-up and a new round of betting begins. Again players have the option to Bet, Call, Fold, Raise, ReRaise or Check.

Fourth (last) Betting Round

The fifth card (River or Fifth Street) is dealt face-up, and now the remaining players have a last chance to Bet, Raise or Fold.

Showdown

The remaining players lay open their Hole Cards. The player with the best combination wins the pot and can rake in the chips.