Beginners: Basic Play Guidelines

Each poker player is dealt 2 cards face-down and an additional 5 cards are placed face-up on the poker table. Each player must try and create a 5-card sequence using his face-down cards and any or all of the 5 common cards (community cards).

Example:
If you have a 9 of hearts and a 4 of diamonds; your opponent has an ace of clubs and a five of diamonds; the community cards are: 5 of diamonds, 8 of spades, 7 of clubs, 6 of hearts and an ace of diamonds.

Which player wins? You,because you can form a straight (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) while your opponent can only form two pairs (pair of aces and a pair of fives).

How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker:

1. Two face-down cards are distributed to each poker player.

2. The first betting round takes place. Poker players bet depending on their cards and what they imagine the sequences might be able to form.

3. Three community cards (common cards placed face-up) are placed on the poker table. This is called the "The Flop".

4. The second round of betting takes place. You have an easier time betting because you have a better idea of what your cards will amount to.

5. The Fourth community card is dealt. This card is called "The Turn".

6. The third round of betting takes place

7. The Fifth community card is dealt. This last called is called "The River" card.

8. The last and final round of betting takes place. At the end of this round, the poker player who can formulate the strongest hands(using his two cards and three community cards) wins.

The betting action moves in a clockwise fashion. The first poker player who can bet is the player sitting to the left of the dealer. Usually, the poker players take turns in dealing so as to prevent one being unjustly favored by being the last.

If you are the first player you have three choices: bet, fold or pass (check). Accordingly the next player has the same three choices. If one of the player places a bet, the next one cannot simply pass. This poker player must either raise the bet, fold his cards or call. To call means to place a wager that's equal to that of the previous poker player.

A maximum of three betting rounds is permitted every time. A round ends when all the poker players have played. Each bet cannot be below the minimum amount decided upon before the game commenced. Once this amount is set, the poker players have no say anymore on the amount of the raises. Usually, the maximum is twice the minimum.

At this poker game, you can bet or raise only as per the minimum amount. This is so only for the first two rounds. During the latter two the bets and raises must equal the maximum.

Texas Hold'em Poker has turned out to be a very popular game and has been depicted in famous movies as well. You too can win and profit. We suggest that you play for free a bit until you get the hang of it.  Click below on one of these poker rooms to play Texas holdem.