Texas Hold'em - the Poker Game (Part 1)

Texas Hold'em (more commonly referred to as simply 'Hold'em') is the most popular form of poker played today. While discussing how to play the game of Hold'em, most players maintain the cliché, 'It takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master.'

Terms you need to know

• Blind - A forced bet placed by the two players to the left of the dealer button before any cards are dealt. This is done to ensure action on the hand.
• Small Blind - This term is used to refer to both the bet and the table position. The small blind is posted by the person to the immediate left of the button. The small blind is half of the minimum bet, usually rounded to the nearest dollar (or other unit of currency).
• Big Blind - This term is used to refer to both the bet and the table position. The big blind is the same as the minimum bet.
• Flop
• The first three cards turned face up on the board.
• The act of placing the flop cards on the table

Below is a terminology section for any other terms that may not be understood.

Order of Play

Between each hand a marker, called the dealer button, moves clockwise around the table. The button represents the dealer. In an informal setting where one individual is not dedicated to dealing, such as a home game, the button is sometimes not used as the deal rotates around the table, in the same way as in other card games.

1. The player to the immediate left of the dealer button posts the small blind.
2. The player to the immediate left of the small blind posts the big blind.
3. The dealer distributes two cards, one card at a time, to each player starting with the small blind and moving clockwise.
4. The first person to act is the person to the immediate left of the big blind. This player looks at their cards and decides if they wish to call, raise or fold.
5. Play continues around the table clockwise until all players have acted upon the same options and all players who have not folded have called the latest raise (if a raise occurred).
6. The dealer burns one card and turns up three cards in the middle of the table, this is called the flop.
7. Another round of betting occurs, this time starting with the player to the immediate left of the dealer button (the small blind). This person may choose to bet, check or fold.
8. Play continues around the table with the same conditions as before the flop.
9. The dealer burns one card and shows the 'turn card.'
10. Another round of betting occurs, just as after the flop.
11. The dealer burns one card and shows the 'river card.'
12. A final round of betting occurs, just as after the turn.
13. The person with the best five card poker hand wins. If the best hand is made entirely of the cards turned face up by the dealer, the pot is split among the remaining players.
14. The dealer button moves one position to the left and the process starts over.

If at any time during the hand every player except one folds their cards, the hand stops and the remaining player wins the entire pot. If this happens, the dealer button moves one position to the left and the process repeats itself.

Also, it should be noted that many gambling establishments will put a limit, or 'cap', on the number of time a bet can be raised per round. This 'cap' is usually three or four raises per round. Some allow an unlimited number of raises if there are only two players remaining in a hand.

Continue: Texas Hold'em - the Poker Game (Part 2)