In-depth Guide on how to play Texas Hold 'em Poker
If you are going to learn how to play poker, then Texas Hold’em is probably the best place to start. It is the most common form of poker played at top online casinos, and all of the world’s biggest tournaments use the format. The game might initially appear to be scary to play, but once you get to grips with it, it is a lot of fun. In this guide to how to play Texas Hold’em Poker, we are going to teach you how to do just that.
How to Play Texas Hold 'em and Rules
If you can understand how to play Texas Hold’em Poker, then all other poker variations will also open up to you. In this part of our guide, we are going to take you through all of the basic terms and explore how a game of poker is structured.
The Blinds
The blinds are an essential part of the poker table. First, a marker is given out called ‘the button’, which indicates which player is the dealer. The player immediately clockwise from the dealer will then post a small blind before the game begins. This is the first forced bet of the game. The next player will then post the big blind, which is traditionally double the small blind.
Player Betting Options
Texas Hold’em has the traditional betting options for players. These are fold, check, bet, call, and raise. Which of these options a player can take will depend on what the table has already done. If no one has made a bet, then you can check or bet. Once a player has bet, only fold, call, or raise are available options.
Pre-Flop
The pre-flop occurs when players have been dealt their hole cards (in-hand cards). They are then given the option to play with their hands. The first round of betting then begins to the left of the big blind. They can now call or raise the big blind. The game then continues clockwise.
The Flop
Once the Pre-flop is finished, we move to the Flop. This is when three cards are dealt face-up on the table. Betting then continues in the same way as before. If no one has bet, players are able to check during this round.
The Turn
When the Flop is finished, we move to the Turn. During this round, the fourth card is dealt. The next betting round begins in the same way as the previous one.
The River
The final community card is then played in the River, also known as the Fifth Street. This is the final community card that will be dealt. Once it has been dealt, betting continues as it had in previous rounds.
The Showdown
Finally, we reach the Showdown. If there is more than one player left in the game, the last player to bet will then reveal their hands. The player with the best hand ranking will win. If two players have identical hands, the pot is split.
Texas hold 'em Hands Combinations
To win in Texas Hold’em, you need to score the best possible hand ranking. There are ten hand rankings that you can land. In order, they are:
Royal Flush
A combination of 10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit.
Straight Flush
Five cards of the same suit in sequence.
Four of a Kind
All four matching cards numerically.
Full House
Three of a kind and a pair.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit.
Straight
Five cards of any suit in sequence.
Three of a Kind
Three numerically matching cards.
Two pairs
Two pairs in the same hand.
One pair
Two matching numerical cards.
High card
The highest ranked card in your hand.
Top pairs
Top pairs are when you are dealt a premium pair of cards in your hand. This can be J-J, Q-Q, K-K, or A-A. The chances of being dealt any sort of pair are actually much lower than players realise. However, with a top pair, you are in an excellent position to attack each street.
Small pairs
Small pair refers to being dealt two low-ranked pairs in your hand. Small pairs are considered 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5. These can be difficult to play, with many experts actually recommending that you fold a pocket small pair.
Suited connectors
Suited connectors refer to hole cards that are suited and consecutive. For example, you may have a Queen and King of Jacks in your hand. With this, you will be hoping to hit a strong hand on the flop. These can be valuable if hoping to make a straight or flush on any of the latter three streets.
Texas Hold 'em Other Game Types
Texas Hold’em can be played in a number of formats. The following are the most common you will encounter when playing the game online.
Limit Texas Hold’em
In Fixed-Limit Texas Hold’em, players are only to bet in fixed amounts. When playing Fixed-Limit Texas Hold’em, there is typically a fixed number of raises that can occur during each street.
No Limit Texas Hold'em
No Limit Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular versions of the game. In the game, players may bet or raise any amount above the minimum raise. The maximum they can wager is their entire stack, known as going all in.
Pot Limit Texas Hold'em
In Pot Limit Texas Hold’em, players can wager from the minimum raise up to the size of the pot but can not go bigger than the current pot.
Mixed Texas Hold'em
Mixed Texas Hold’em is a variation of the game where the rounds switch between limit and no-limit rounds. When this happens, the blinds are typically increased.
Best Online Casinos to Play Texas hold 'em
Texas Hold’em can be played online at many of the UK’s top poker sites. To find the poker site that best suits your needs, we recommend checking out some of Gambling Zone’s top online casino reviews. You will also find many other popular poker variations at these casinos.
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