Learn To Play Texas Holdem Articles | Poker

By: Richard Bleuze

Learning to play Texas Holdem

When you learn to play the most popular poker game, Texas Holdem, you need to know the rankings of the cards and the rules.  If you play any poker, both online and land based, then I am assumming that you know the card ranking sytem already.  If not, then CLICK HERE!  Thus, this article will deal with the rules of Texas Holdem in learning the popular poker game, Texas Holdem.

Texas Holdem Rules

1. The player directly to the dealers left will start the game of Texas Holdem by posting the small blind (generally half the big blind) the player to his left will post the big blind. You should make sure that the “pot’s right” before dealing to maintain some structure.

2. Each player that is in the game of Texas Holdem is dealt 2 cards face down starting with the player directly to the dealers left. These 2 cards are also known as hole cards.

3. After everyone has checked out their pocket card they should determine whether to bet, call, or raise. Betting starts with the player left of the person who posted the big blind. Any bets placed should be equal to that of the big blind. At this point the players have enough cards to form a 5 card poker hand.

4. After the “pot’s right” the dealer should discard the top card and flip the next 3 cards over. This is known as the flop.

5. Another round of betting starting with the player to the dealers left begins.

6. The top card is again discarded and 1 card is placed face up. This is known as the "turn" card.

7. A second round of betting begins.  However in most Texas Holdem games the betting amount is usually doubled.

8. The dealer should then burn another card and flip over a final card known as the river card.  Thus, there are now 5 community cards face-up on the table.  Each player should make the best possible 5 card poker hand using all cards in play, including the community cards.

9. A final betting round staring with the player left of the dealer takes place.

10. All players left in the hand must show their cards staring with the player left of the dealer. Any player that wishes to who can not beat the previous hand showing may "muck" their cards as not to reveal their poor choice of starting hand.  The player with the highest 5 card poker hand wins the pot.

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