Texas Hold'em: Basics
Texas Hold'em, frequently referenced as a game that “takes two minutes
to learn, but a lifetime to master,” is used in poker tournaments all
across the world to decide their champions.
Texas Hold'em, itself, is a derivation of Seven
Card Stud, in which all players will have seven cards at the end of each
hand from which they may select their best five-card hand of poker.
The Hole Cards
Each round of Texas Hold'em is played in exactly the same fashion. Each player
seated at the table is dealt two cards, face down. These are referred to as
their “hole cards,” and will never be exposed to the other players
(unless the player desires to show them.) It is worth noting, however, that
there are different rules for Texas Hold'em in different locations for exposing
hole cards during play of Texas Hold'em, so please check with the card room
director in your location for specifics on this matter.
The Blinds
After each player receives their hole cards, there is a round of betting. To
the left of the dealer of the hand, there are two forced bets, referred to as
“blinds,” one small, and one big. In Texas Hold'em, there is no
ante except in special circumstances later on in a tournament. These blinds
rotate around the table, clockwise, always to the left of the dealer. In games
where there is a professional dealer, a “button,” a plastic disk
bearing the word “dealer, “ is placed in front of the player that
is the theoretical dealer for that hand.
After each player is dealt their hole cards, the player immediately to the left
of the big blind is forced to either call the big blind, raise an amount at
least twice that of the big blind, or fold. Play continues as such until the
action is back on the small blind, who must make up at least the difference
of the big blind (or call/raise any greater bets before him) to play, unless
he/she wishes to fold.
The Flop
After the first round of betting is completed, and all remaining players in
the pot have put in the same amount of money, three cards are dealt, face up,
in the center of the table. In Texas Hold'em, this is referred to as “the
flop.”
By the end of play, there will be five cards, face-up, in the center of the
table. These are referred in Texas Hold'em as “the board.” Players
will select five cards, using any combination of their two hole cards and the
board, to make their best five-card hand of poker.
As with the first round, after the flop is dealt, there is a round of betting.
This round begins with the player in first position, and betting continues clockwise
around the table.
The Turn
A fourth card, referred to in Texas Hold'em as “The
Turn,” is dealt face-up in the center of the table, and another round
of betting ensues.
The River
A fifth and final card is dealt, face-up, to complete the board. All players
now can see all the cards they will be able to choose from to select their best
five-card hand.
Standard hand rankings apply, and after a round of betting, the best hand wins.
Unless, of course, only one player remains, betting without being called by
any other player. In that case, no matter when it takes place during the course
of play, that player wins the hand.
After the play of a hand completes, the dealer button is shifted one seat to
the left, and play continues.
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