The rules for Texas Holdem are quite simple. The game goes like this: the
dealer button is established - this player
does not actually
deal, but he will be the last player to
act on three of the four betting rounds. This is the
best
position to be in because you get to
act last for most of the game, meaning that you have the
opportunity to see how all the players
will
act before it is your turn, which is vital information. To the left of the dealer is the "small
blind", this player
must
post half the amount of the
blind - which is a dollar amount depending on the stakes of the table. To the left
of the small
blind is the "big blind", who must post the full
blind dollar amount. For example, if you are playing $1-2
limit Texas Holdem game, the small
blind must put down $.50 and the big
blind must place $1.00 on the table before
anything happens. This is how the poker game starts.
Now, once the blinds are established, each player is dealt two cards
face down. These are referred to as your
"hole cards". You can view your cards and then determine if you want to play. The
action rotates around the table,
this first starts with the player to the left of the big
blind, this position is often referred to as UTG for "
Under the Gun".
This player decides whether he wants to play his hand, and if so, must match or
raise the big
blind amount. In our
example of a $1-2 game, the player must place a bet of $1.00 or more to stay in the game, or
fold his cards. The
action
continues around the table, to the
dealer, the small blind, and finally, the big blind. The big
blind may not have
to put anymore money on the table if the pot is not raised, since he already has a $1.00 put in. This is the first
round of betting, and the only round of betting where the big
blind position is last to
act. All subsequent betting rounds
ends with the player on the
dealer button. If this is a $1-2 limit Texas Holdem game, then all bets or raises on this round
are $1.
After this initial round of betting, three cards are placed on the board, at the same time, face-up.
This is called the "
Flop". The second round of betting ensues, starting with the small blind
position and ending with the
dealer position. Again the bets on this round would be $1 in a $1-2 holdem game.
After the betting on the
flop, the "
Turn" card is dealt on the board. Now there are 4 cards on the board and two in your
hand. The third round of betting begins, again starting with the small
blind position and ending with the dealer
position. Now,
if you are playing a $1-2 limit Texas Holdem game, this is when the big bet, $2, kicks in. From here on out, all bets
or raises are always exactly $2.
Finally, the fifth and final card is dealt on the board, the "
River" card, and the fourth and final round of betting ensues.
At the end of the betting, the players will show their two hole cards, and the best 5 of the possible 7 cards determines
the winner. The rules dictate that you may choose to use one, both, or none of you hole cards, whichever makes you the best poker hand.
Those are the rules of Texas Holdem in a nut
shell. There are three types of Texas Holdem games which have slightly
different betting rules:
Limit Texas Holdem (there is a specific betting limit applied in each game)
Pot Limit Texas Holdem (A player can bet what is in the pot)
No Limit Texas Holdem (A player can bet all of his/her chips at any time)
Each version of the game requires subtle changes to your strategy - studying, practice, and experience will help you
determine which game is best for you.
Read up on our
poker strategy or check out our
Poker Forum to learn how to win at Texas Holdem!
