On the surface Texas Hold'em looks like a very simple game. Each player is dealt two cards which are exclusively his; the other cards in play are community cards to be shared by all the players.
Texas Hold'em comes in a number of different varieties; the most common variety follows. The game starts when the two players to the left of the dealer ante. These players are called the blinds since they are forced to put money into the pot blind - before they see any cards. Usually the player to the dealer's immediate left - called the big blind - antes an amount equal to the minimum bet, and the player to his left - the little blind - antes half that amount. At a land-based casino all bets are placed in front of the players and not thrown into the center of the table in order to keep better track of what each player bets. Then the dealer deals two cards, face down, to each player.
The first round of betting starts with the player to the left of the little blind and continues clockwise. Each player may fold, call the bet of the big blind or call a raise if the bet has been raised, or raise. The big blind may simply do nothing if there has been no raise. If there has been a raise the big blind may call it, raise it, or fold. The little blind can fold, or if there has been no raise may call by increasing his bet to the minimum bet. If there has been a raise, the little blind may call the raise, re-raise or fold.
The dealer "burns" a card (discards it face down onto the table) and turns up the next three cards - the "flop." A second round of betting follows starting with the big blind and continuing clockwise. Each player can check (no bet) if there have been no bets ahead of him, or bet. If there has been a bet ahead, a player may fold, call the bet, or raise.
The dealer burns another card and a fourth card - the "turn" - is added to the flop. Betting occurs as on the previous round, but in most games the minimum bet usually doubles at this point. Finally after burning a card, the fifth card - the "river" - is added to the community cards. The final round of betting takes place. If more than one player is left, there is a showdown with each player making the best five-card hand he can from his two hidden cards and the five board cards.
Quick review of hand rankings: it's easy to remember what beats what at poker. Starting from the lowest it's one, two, three. One pair, two pair, three of a kind. Then straight, flush, full house, four of a kind. Last is the straight flush with the very best one being a royal flush.
Click for some tips on Texas Hold'em strategy.
