|
 Texas Hold’em
(or Holdem for short) is a game of soaring popularity. It is the most popular poker game on the planet, and for good reason.
It is a fun, fast paced game that is easy to learn but difficult to play well. If you are new to poker, it is a great first
game to learn, and you can have the basics down in just a few minutes. If you are not familiar with a standard fifty-two card
deck, or with how poker hands are ranked, you should first read the introduction to poker.
There are three main types of poker games: flop games, stud games, and draw games. Holdem is a flop game. This means that
it is a game with “hole cards” and “community cards.” Hole cards are private cards, which are delivered face down to each
player at the start of the hand. Community cards are delivered face up, in the center of the table, for all players to
use. Each player combines their hole cards with the community cards to make their best five card poker hand.
Another characteristic of flop games is that the order of action, or betting, is always clockwise. There is a nominal
dealer button, simply called “the button,” which indicates the
advantageous position of acting last after the flop. Each player receives the button for one hand, after which it is moved to
the player on the left. This insures that every player gets equal time at each position in the betting order.
Before the start of each hand, the two players to the left of the button post (put up) mandatory blind bets, called
“blinds.” These blinds serve as seed money for the pot, in place of
antes. The player immediately to the left of the button is called the “small blind.” The small blind is usually required
to post a partial bet. The player immediately to the left of the small blind is called the “big blind.” The
big blind is usually required to post a full bet. Occasionally,
you will see a Hold’em game with three blinds, or antes in addition to blinds.
Before the flop, the action starts immediately to the left of the big blind, a position called “under the gun.” This
gives the big blind last action before the flop. After the flop the action starts with the small blind. This gives the
button last action after the flop.
Hold’em is a game which is traditionally spread nine handed or ten handed (nine or ten players participating), although a
greater or fewer number of players can be easily accommodated. At the beginning of the hand, exactly two hole cards are
delivered to each player. This triggers a betting round. After this betting round the top card on the deck is burned
(taken out of play) and the community cards begin to be delivered, starting with the “flop.” The flop consists of three
cards, delivered face up in the middle of the table, all at once. This triggers the second round of betting. After this
second betting round, another card is burned and the card beneath it, called the “turn,” is delivered. The turn is a
community card, placed face up next to the flop, in the middle of the table. This triggers the third round of betting.
Next, a card is burned and the final community card, called the “river” is delivered face up next to the turn card. This
triggers the final round of betting, and the hand is over. The button is then moved one place to the left, and the next
hand begins. |
Online Poker Card Room Reviews
PokerStars.com
Absolute Poker.com
FullTilt Poker.com
PartyPoker.com
Pacific Poker.com
|
