For most people Texas Holdem poker is the easiest version of poker to learn for a beginner. Texas Hold’Em poker for example is a game of seven cards where the player has to select five cards in the hand to finish the game. Out of the seven card hand the players receive two cards individually called ‘face down’ cards or pocket cards. The dealer deals five cards into the middle of the poker table face up that are known as community cards. The players have to make the best combination possible with two pocket cards and five community cards. Two worst cards can be discarded. A table may have two players to maximum of ten players.
The game starts at the dealer position which is marked by a button, before any cards are dealt out the two players to the left hand side of the dealer have to make a small and big bet known as the blinds. After this each player is then dealt out a card at a time until they have two cards. These two cards, known as the “hole cards” are for the player’s eyes only and are dealt out face down. Once each player has looked at their hole cards they can decide if to continue or not. The first main round of betting now begins where players can raise the amount of the big blind, match it or fold there cards and sit the rest of the round out. The betting always starts with the player sat to the left of the blind bets and it goes round the table in a clockwise direction. Any players wanting to continue have to agree on the amount to bet in the pot before they can see the next card, this can depend upon the game type.
The Flop.
Once the betting is over the three cards are dealt out face up for everyone to see in the middle of the table. Players can then re-check there cards and see what hands or possibilities of hands can be achieved. After the flop there is another round of bets where players bet according to how confident they are.
The Turn.
Straight after the round of betting has been completed there is a fourth community card dealt out to the middle of the table. This is when thing can start to heat up a little between the players. This fourth face-up card is known as the “turn card”, once again players can re-adjust to the new hand possibilities and there is another round of betting.
The River and the Showdown.
Finally the fifth and last face up card is dealt out for all to see in to the centre of the table, in poker lingo this is commonly known a the river. After this comes the exciting part, there is a final round of betting which leads to a showdown. All the remaining players show their cards and the player who has the best hand wins the cash or chips in the pot. After the showdown the dealer position then moves one place to the left and the game starts again, any players with chips or money left can continue. Often your starting hands can be a good clue to your hand strength, however bluffing a strong hand can sometimes be enough to win the pot during the early stages of the game.
