The Low Down

Perhaps the most popular casino poker game today, and arguably the most exciting, is Texas Hold’em. Texas Hold’em is a fast paced, thrilling card game based upon the basic rules of poker. While inexperienced players may be intimidated by the fast pace of the game, it really is a simple game to grasp the fundamentals of, and therefore can be enjoyed by even newcomers to the game. Here you can learn the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em, so you can start playing this fun game right away!

Players in a Texas Hold’em card game are each dealt 2 down cards. Each players hand will be made up from the combination of the 2 down cards, and the 5 community cards that will be dealt face up. More on that in a bit. Because each player only has 2 personal cards, Texas Hold’em tables can accommodate between 9 and 11 players. This is what fuels the fire of excitement at a Texas Hold’em table. With so many players, anything can happen.

The Player Dealer

After the first two down cards are dealt to each player, someone must bet. Since there are no up cards to determine who goes first, like in stud games, the game employs the use of player “dealers”. The player who is designated the dealer rotates clockwise after every hand.

The player designated as the dealer (also called “the button” because of the marker placed in front of the player that is used to indicate the dealer) does not actually have the responsibility of dealing the cards. The house dealer handles all activities, and the dealer is only an honorary title. The player to the left of “the button” goes first in every round of betting.

Texas Hold'em Betting

Unlike most other poker games that rely upon an ante to get the action started, Texas Hold’em employs the use of “blinds”. The blinds are forced bets that are made before the cards are dealt. The two players to the left of the dealer (also called “in front of” the button) must make the blind bets. The first player to the left of the button makes the “small blind” bet, and the second player makes the “big blind” bet. The size of the blind bets is usually dependant upon the minimum bet limit at the table. The big blind is usually the table minimum, and the small blind is a fraction of that bet. For example the small blind bet could be half the big blind bet. Don’t sweat the details here, if playing in a real casino the dealer will tell you how much to bet. If playing in an online casino, the bet will be made for you.

Once the blind bets have been placed, the cards are dealt. As mentioned previously, each player receives 2 down cards. This then opens the first round of betting. Since the 2 blind bets have already acted in the first round, the player to the left of the big bet is first to act. The small and big blind bettors will have a chance to act when the betting gets back to them.

Because of the blind bets, each player must decide if they will match (or “call”) the big blind bet (remember, this is the table minimum bet), raise or fold. The betting moves clockwise around the table with each player betting or folding.

When the betting gets back to the 2 blind bettors, they only have to match the difference from their blind bet and the current table bet. The blind bettors also have the options to call, raise or fold.

The Flop

Once all players have called, if there is more than 1 player remaining, the dealer will prepare to deal the community cards. The dealer “burns” the top card (puts it out of play face down), and then deals three face up cards. This first round of community cards is known as the “flop”.

Another betting round ensues, starting with the player to the immediate left of the dealer. There are no more forced bets, so players are free to check, fold, and if a bet has been made call or raise.

Fourth Street

Once this betting round has completed, the dealer then deals a single face up community card. This card is known variously as the “turn” or “fouth street”. The players have another betting round on this fourth card.

The River

Finally, the fifth and last community card is dealt face up. This card is also known as the “river” or “fifth street”. The final round of betting now takes place.

If everyone but one player folds, the last remaining player takes the pot and is not required to show his/her cards. If more than one player is still in, there will be a “showdown” to determine the winner. The players all show their cards, and make the best possible hand using their 2 down cards, and the 5 common community cards (also known as the “board”). Players are not required to use any of their down cards to make the best hand. It occasionally happens that the best hand is actually the board. In this case it results in all players tying. In case of ties, all remaining players split the pot equally.

Now the hand is over, the dealer button rotates one spot to the left, and it all starts over again. And you’re playing Texas Hold’em. That's all there is to it! Of course within this simplicity of rules lies an intriguing complexity of play, which is the allure of the game.

The Rake

If you're use to playing other casino games that have a house advantage, you understand how they make their money. They pay off the players at less than true odds. Then over the long run the difference in true odds and the payoff odds should result in a net casino profit. So you might be asking yourself, how then does a casino make money in a poker game when players are paying other players? The answer is the "rake". The house takes a percentage of all pots, sometimes with a minimum or maximum take. For example the rake might be 5%, with a $2 maximum. So if it's a $10 pot, the house takes $0.50. For any pot over $40, they only take $2.

Helpful Strategies and Hints

Despite the similarity in appearance to 7 card stud, Texas Hold'em is a game all unto itself. It is crucial to recognize when you are at a disadvantage with a weak hand, and to fold. Because all players except the two blind bets get a free look at their cards before having to commit to a bet, it's a good opportunity to drop on weak cards. In Texas Hold'em the 2 down cards are crucial. Pairs are exceptionally strong. Hands with Ace and King high can be strong as well, depending on the number of players.

The order of betting gives some players more power than others. It's usually best to act last. A somewhat strong hand early in the round is difficult to play because you can get raised by a stronger hand and be stuck in the middle. While a somewhat strong hand, or even a weak hand, late in the round can be advantageous because you know what the other players have already done. If other players are showing signs of weakness, or have dropped outright, you have the option of getting aggressive and trying to “steal the pot”.

The importance of the flop should not be underestimated. 3 of 7 of the final cards come from the flop. So if you are considering going for a flush or straight draw, and the first round of betting is weak (i.e. no raises), you can decide to stick around for the flop and get a look at 3 cards relatively cheap. Now with 5 cards known, and only 2 to go, you can make an informed decision about whether to stick it out, or fold.

The flop needs to fit your hand in order to win. If the flop doesn't strengthen your hand, then you should strongly consider dropping. For example if your down cards are a pair of 10’s and there were other strong bettors in the first round, and the flop comes up Ace, King, Jack, then the flop probably left you high and dry. It’s very likely that another player paired up a high card. Despite your strong down cards, the flop doesn’t fit your hand, and you should probably drop.

Staying in after the flop is a determination you should make only if you have a strong hand, or believe strongly that your betting will cause all others to fold. Depending on the number of players involved a strong hand is usually a high pair, or a reasonable chance to draw into a straight or a flush. Remember that any more cards than are turned up are in everybody's hand. Therefore if you have an extremely strong hand, you will want to draw out the betting and try to coax every dollar from your opponents. If you feel your hand can win right now, but an opponent can only improve their hand with more cards, try to get your opponent out before seeing any more cards.

In conclusion, Texas Hold'Em is a fast, exciting game that anyone who enjoys poker should find fun. The basic rules are simple enough to catch on early. And since there is no house advantage, it's just you versus fellow human players. Have fun, and play smart!