Hold’em poker can be played at tables with ten players all the way down to two players, or more commonly known as heads up. The game’s popularity is due to many factors but it success is mainly due to the games fast paced action and simple rules.

 A round of Texas Holdem consists of four round of betting. The game starts with each player receiving two cards face down, also known as hole cards. Five community cards are dealt face up in the centre of the poker table for all players to use. Players use their hole cards and the five community cards to make the best five card hand possible. The player with the highest five-card poker hand at the end of the round, or showdown, wins the pot. Here is a breakdown of Texas Holdem Poker 

• The dealer rotates clockwise around the table. If there is a designated dealer, which is most common in poker rooms, casinos and tournaments, a button identifies the player in position or who would be the dealer.

• Before the cards are dealt to the players at the table, two forced bets must be put into the pot. These forced bets are called blind bets. There is a small blind and a big blind which represent the table limits. If the tables limit is 1-2 limit, then the big blind will be $2 and the small blind will be $1. This ensures there is always money in the pot and encourages action. The first player to the dealers left or to the left of the dealers’ button must place the small blind. The second player to the dealers left must post the second blind bet, or the big blind.   

• Each player is dealt two cards face down, these are called hole cards.  

• After the players have received their hole cards, the player to the left of the big blind act first by calling the big blind, raising, or folding.   

• After the first round of bets the chips are moved to the centre of the table and the dealer will start to deal the first set of community cards also known as the flop. The dealer will first remove the top card from the deck, called the burn card, this card is not seen by anyone. Then three community cards are dealt face up for all players to see.  

• Now player start the second round of betting, starting with the player still holding cards seated to the left of the dealer.   

• After all players have finished betting, the dealer will again burn a card and then deal one more community card to the centre of the table for all players to use. This is called the turn or fourth street. A new round of betting begins as in the previous round with the player nearest to the button.   

• Once betting is complete on the turn, all chips are moved into the pot and the dealer continues by burning another card and turning the fifth and final community card called the river or fifth street.Players then continue another round of betting. This is the final round of betting and usually the most aggressive, as there are no more cards to come and all hands are final.  

• After this final round of betting, any players remaining in the round must show their hands. This is called showdown. The player with the highest five card hand wins the pot.   

• Once the round of Holdem is over and the pot has been moved to the winner, the dealer button moves clockwise to prepare for a new hand. Now that you know the basic rules of Texas Hold’em poker, take a look at our top ranked poker sites and play a few round so you can get the feel of the game. Try the free tables first until you become more comfortable with the game. Here are some lings and information on where to play for free along with some great places to play for beginners that offer tips and training. This will help you master the game of Texas Holdem Poker absolutely free. Good luck! 

   

 Written for TopPoker.asia by Phil  11^th July 09

Comments can be posted be email at phil@toppoker.asia