How to Play Texas Holdem

A varietion of 7 card stud poker, Texas Hold Em has surpassed it's parent game become the most popular game of poker played today. It is hard to find an online poker room that doesn't offer Texas Holdem in ring games and poker tournaments.

The object of Texas Holdem is to build the best possible five-card hand from among the two cards each player receives face down (the pocket cards) and the five community cards dealt face-up on the table.

Playing Texas Hold Em

1. Two cards ("hole cards" or "pocket cards") are dealt to each player face down.
2. The first round of betting begins with forced bets by the two players to the left of the dealer (or button) - the small blind (usually 1/2 the lower bet amount) and the big blind (the entire lower bet amount). The action proceeds clockwise, and the players can either call, fold or raise by the small bet amount.
   
   The blinds are what are called "live bets". This means that if several players call before the play returns to the small blind, the small blind only needs to put in 1/2 the bet amount to call. Similarly, the big blind does not need to put in additional chips to call.
   
3. Following betting, three cards are dealt face-up on the table ("on the board"). This is called the flop.
4. After the flop, betting begins with the player to the left of the button. All bets and raises are the small bet amount. The round continues until all players have an equal amount of chips in the pot.
5. A fourth card community card is dealt face-up on the table. This is known as the turn.
6. Another round of betting follows the turn, again beginning with the player closest to the left of the button. As before, players can either check, fold, bet or raise a previous bet. Bets and raises in this and the following round are in the larger bet amount.
7. A final fifth community card is dealt face-up on the table. This is called the river.
8. A fourth and final round of betting takes place.
9. The showdown - players still in the game table their hands. The pot goes to the player with the best hand.