Introduction to Texas Holdem Poker

Texas Hold'em Poker, sometimes called simply "Hold'em" is perhaps the most popular variety of poker, and is played by millions of people all over the world. Although always preferred by serious players, its popularity really began to soar when it was played in the World Series of Poker since the late 1970s.

Texas Hold'em Poker is the most positional of the poker variants. This means that where you sit will have great impact on your game. The person seated to your left is said to "have position" over you, since he will act after you for most of the game. This is important since the order of betting remains fixed through out the game. Texas Hold'em Poker can be played with up to 22 players, but is usually played with no more than eight.

The rules of the game are fairly simple, and can be learned in a few short minutes of playing. The person to the left of the dealer pays a small forced bet, while the person to the left of that player pays the big blind. The dealer then deals two cards to every player, and the first round of betting takes place. Each player has the opportunity to call, raise or fold. When the first round of betting is over the dealer discards the top card of the deck, and then deals the first three community cards, face up. These are sometimes called the "flop" cards.

After these cards have been dealt, there is another round of betting. The dealer then deals the "turn" card, the fourth community card. Another round of betting follows and then the fifth community card, called the "river" and the final round of betting ensues. Now, the interesting part comes. Each player constructs the best hand that he possibly can from his two cards and from the cards on the table. The same rankings that apply to regular poker apply here as well.

Published by Allen Van Gieson. 17-12-05