How to Play Texas Holdem Poker
Poker Strategy and Tutorial
As
play begins, you will be dealt two cards. These are called your
“hole cards”. The two players to the left of the dealer - or the
“button” - automatically add the “blind” and the “big blind” to the
pot. After a round of betting the dealer then deals a “burn” card
that is discarded, and then 3 cards known as “the flop” face up on the
table. Another round of betting occurs. The dealer deals a
fourth card face up on the table, commonly called “the turn” or “4th
street”. There is another round of betting followed by the fifth
card dealt to the table, “5th street” or “the river”. Final
betting is followed by the showdown, and the player who can make the
best 5 card hand out of his two hole cards and the cards on the table
takes the pot!
Texas
Holdem Poker is all the rage these days. As many new players go
online to play Texas Hold’Em Poker tournaments and No Limit Texas
Hold’em Poker games, there is an opportunity to make serious money if
you are a skilled player. Whether you are new and want to learn
how to play Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, or have been playing a while and just
want some Texas Hold’em tips, this page will teach you how to play and
give you a little strategy to give you the edge at this version of
poker. There are also links to some of the best places to play
poker online - places that have No Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker, poker
tournaments, and some great specials. Read on and good luck
playing!
Have Fun!
The Turn
The Flop
Initial Cards
Overview
Once
you are dealt your initial two cards you have an all important choice
to make. It is important to remember, your “hole” cards are all
that separates your hand from the hands of the other players, and the
only chance you have to win the pot. There are no points for
second best hand, and you should fold if your hand has no
potential. Never “chase” a bad hand hoping you will get better
cards. By the time you get to the showdown, you will have too
much money in. So decide if your hand is good enough to remain in
to see the flop, and bet if your hand is very strong. Ace - Ace
is the best initial hand followed by King – King. After that
here’s some of the best cards in order from the best:
Queen – Queen
Ace – King (suited)
Ace – Queen (suited)
Jack – Jack
King – Queen (suited)
Ace – Jack (suited)
Ace – King (offsuit)
10 – 10
If you’ve got offsuit, low valued cards, you should be folding. Some of the worst:
2 – 7 (offsuit)
2 – 8 (offsuit)
3 – 8 (offsuit)
2 – 9 (offsuit)
2 – 6 (offsuit)
I think you get the idea :)
As
the three cards are dealt to the table, consider what hand you now
have, as well as what potential hands your opponents might have.
This is a critical point in the game, and you should fold if the flop
doesn’t go in your favor. There are 2 more cards to be dealt, and
you must be aware of what cards you would need to make your hand, and
how strong that hand would then be. Don’t make the mistake of
thinking you are already too far into a hand. Remember: second
place hand still loses. Never chase cards you need to make a good
hand. Then again, poker is all about risk, and knowing whether
there is a good chance of getting just what you need for a great
hand. Also, It is extremely important to judge your hand based on
the total number of players in the game and the number of players still
in the current round. Ace high may win against 5 total opponents,
but it is unlikely to win against 10. Players who don’t fold at
the flop have something they think will win the pot, they are chasing
something, or they are being foolish. Assume the former and ask
yourself if your hand is strong enough to stay in. In conclusion,
this is where you “pump it or dump it”. You want to raise if you
are confident in your hand and get out if you aren’t.
If
you’ve made it this far, you should have a good hand and be raising, or
have something with a good chance of completing, like a flush or
straight. Raising or check betting at this point can force others
to fold. Bluffing is not advised in low dollar games, as players
will pay just to see what you’re holding.
Poker
is a serious game, but it’s also lots of fun! Find a game you
like and try it out. The best way to get better is to play until
you get a feel for the game. Practice games are good for getting
a hang of the rules, but they are no substitute for playing for money,
as a big part of Texas Hold’Em Poker is in the betting and you can’t
bluff someone who’s playing a practice game. Just start with low
limit games and get in there and play some real opponents! Good
luck!
The River
When
the last card is dealt to the table, one of three things will have
happened. You have made your hand with this card, nothing
changed, or the card you were hoping for didn’t come. If you were
trying for a flush or straight and didn’t get it, what do you
have? Judge the 5 cards on the table. Everyone shares this
hand. What does everyone have? If there is 3H JH 5H 4H 6D
showing, think about what hands the other guys have. Someone
probably has a straight, someone at least a pair, someone a possible 3
jacks, someone a flush. What about the possible straight
flush? Would that player have folded on 2H 6H? If your hand
is good at this point, ask yourself if it can beat whoever’s still in
the game. This will depend on how many people are left and what
possible hands could be made with what’s showing. Err on the side
of caution, but beware of people who bluff repeatedly, it may be time
to call them :)
The Showdown
This
is it! Who’s got the cards? Hopefully you do and you’ll
take the pot. Many beginning players make the mistake of equating
poker with other games where the goal is to win all the time. To
make money at poker, which is your real goal, you “grind it out”.
Wait until you have good cards and play them. Try to get the pot
up when you can take it, and know when to get out when you can’t.
Overall, you will win enough of the time to make money or grind out a
tournament.
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