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Learn to Play Texas Holdem

Texas holdem, usually referred to as just holdem, is the biggest poker game in the world. It is game of choice to decide the world champion of poker, most of the money games played online are holdem yet it is also the easiest game for beginners to learn to play. Part of the appeal of holdem is that it is an easy game to learn how to play but a very hard game to master. That is part of the profit, beginners do not see the intricacies and nuances that make the game so complicated to play and so long to learn to play at a top level. Fortunately, you will find few very good players when you start out at the lower levels, so do not be intimidated but do be careful of stepping into a high stakes game that you are not ready to play.

In holdem, everyone is dealt 2 cards each. After that, 5 more cards are dealt, face up, in the middle of the table. Everyone now uses their 2 cards with the 5 on the board. The person with the best hand at the end wins. It sounds very simple, and it is, but there are a few more things to explain. You don't need to memorize any of this because if you are learning on the internet, you are given the choices to make when it is your turn and the rest is automatic. It is good to have a basic understanding of what is going on though.

The Betting

The betting goes around the table, starting with the person to the left of the dealer. The first person is given the options of checking, betting or folding. Once someone bets, the next person is given the options of calling, raising or folding. Once everyone has called or folded, or everyone has checked, the round of betting is over. Note that there is a maximum of 4 raises per round.

The Betting Rounds

There are 4 rounds of betting in holdem. There is a round after everyone is dealt their 2 cards, one after 3 cards are dealt in the middle, another after the 4th card and one last round after the 5th card is dealt in the middle of the table. After the final round of bidding, the winner is declared and they take the pot

The Blinds

The person to the left of the dealer puts in the small blind and the next player puts in the big blind. These are similar in a way to antes, which people are usually more familiar with.

Types of Betting Limits

There are 3 different types of betting in poker. Pot limit, no limit and fixed limit. In pot limit, you can only bet as much as is in the pot. In no limit, you can bet as much as you have and in fixed limit, there are set amounts that you can bet each round. These are extremely important factors when you are considering playing a game. In no limit, your money can fluctuate wildly and you can lose all your money on any hand. However, you can also double or triple your money in one hand. It is much more of a mind game, with a lot of bluffing and big betting. In fixed limit betting, there is much less bluffing and a controlled, solid game is rewarded. Pot limit is very similar to no limit but it is like a tamed version as you can win and lose very large amounts but not as much as in no limit.

Hand Rankings

It sounds simple but it's easy to forget what beats what when you first start. If you really have a hard time, make sure you write it down and have it beside you. If you have a straight and think the other guy has a flush, you better know if you have him beat before you bet. The order is listed bellow:

1. Straight Flush - A run of five cards, all of the same suit
2. Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same value
3. Full House - three of a kind with a pair
4. Flush - Five cards of the same suit
5. Straight - A run of five cards in a row (aces can be high or low)
6. Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same value
7. Two Pair - Two sets of pairs
8. One Pair - Two cards of the same value
9. High Card - No pairs, straights or flushes

Note: If there is a tie, for example two people both have a pair, the person with the higher pair wins. If you both have the same pair then the person with the next highest card wins and so on. It is only a tie hand if both players have hands with the identical values.

Conclusion

The best way to learn is to make sure you know the hand rankings, write them down if you have to, and then just play. Go play some free tournaments, as listed here, or play on the fun tables. You will quickly learn the basics of the game and find out if it's for you.

by Stephen Erickson,   BorntoBet.com

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