You must have heard of the Texas Hold’em poker variant if you are a poker enthusiast. After all, Texas Hold’em is widely regarded as the most popular poker variant across the globe, thanks to its simplicity. This variant is adopted in the main event of the World Series of Poker. This guide will discuss Texas Hold’em and how the game works. So, let’s dive in!

Overview of Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker variation out there. The best tournaments across the globe, including the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour, adopt the no-limit Texas Hold’em as the main event. For many players, this is the only poker variant they prefer to learn.

While the game’s simplicity implies that it only takes a moment to learn, it takes a very long time to master. Knowing how the hand ranking chart works also helps you understand the game better. Yet, do not be misled by this simplicity. 

There is a great number of possible combinations and situations in Texas Hold’em that make the game very complex, especially when you play at the highest levels. When you approach Texas Hold’em as a beginner, it is essential that you begin from the game basics.

Furthermore, while playing this poker variant on the internet, you should make the most of available bonuses. Find out more info and take steps that can help you boost your winning chances.

Poker Texas Hold’em Basic Rules

• In a game of Texas hold’em, all the players are dealt two cards face down, also known as the hole cards.

• Over numerous rounds of betting, five more cards are (eventually) dealt face-up in the middle of the table.

• These face-up cards are regarded as community cards. Each player can freely make use of the community cards and the hole cards to form the best possible 5-card poker hand.

To form the best 5-card poker hand, you must understand how the card ranking works:

• Royal flush: Consists of five cards of the same suit, ranked ace through ten
• Straight Flush: Consists of five cards of the same suit and consecutively ranked.
• Four of a Kind: Consists of four cards of the same rank.
• Full House: Consists of three cards of the same rank and two more cards of the same rank.
• Flush: This includes any five cards of the same suit.
• Straight: This consists of any five cards consecutively ranked.
• Three of a Kind: This consists of three cards of the same rank
• Two Pair: This consists of two cards of the same rank and two more cards of the same rank
• One Pair: This comprises two cards of the same rank
• High Card: This consists of five unmatched cards

Betting Rounds

 The button will determine which player at the table is the acting dealer. The first two players who are seated to the immediate left of the button will have to post a small blind and a big blind to begin the betting round.

Pre-Flop

Once the players see their hole cards, they can play their hands by raising or calling the big blind. The action is initiated to the left of the big blind. That player can choose to call, fold, or raise. For instance, if a big blind is $5, it would require $5 to call and $10 or more to raise. Then, the action begins clockwise around the table.

The Flop

In this betting round, three cards are dealt face-up on the board. This is called the flop. In Texas Hold’em, three community cards are used on the flop and they are available to every player that is still in the hand. Betting on the flop is initiated by the active player immediately clockwise from the button.

The Turn

Once the betting action comes to an end for the flop, the turn is dealt face-up. This represents the fourth community card in the game. This can also be regarded as the fourth street. Another betting round follows and this starts with the active player immediately clockwise from the button.

The River

Once the turn is complete, the river or the fifth street is the next betting round and another card is dealt face-up. The river represents the last community card that is dealt, from which players must form a 5-card hand. Betting is initiated by the active player immediately clockwise from the button.

The Showdown

If more than one player is left as the final betting round nears its completion, the last person to raise or bet reveals their card. This is the case unless there are no bets in the final round. In this case, the player immediately clockwise from the button reveals their cards first. The pot is won by the player with the best 5-card hand, based on the hand ranking rule in poker.

Conclusion

Texas Hold’em is very easy to understand, but thanks to the various components that make poker interesting, such as bluffing and continuation bets, it takes enough practice to master.