Game Introduction
Over the last five or so years the popularity of poker online and
offline has increased dramatically. This is partly to shows on television
that cover tournaments such as the World Poker Tour and World Series
of Poker. There are many variations of poker but the most poplar by
far is Texas Hold'em. If you only learn how to play one type this
is it.
Card Values
Texas Hold Em is played with one 52 card deck. All cards have their
face values and hands are ranked according to standard Poker
Hand Rankings. Aces can be either high or low.
About Texas Hold'Em
The game progresses in the following set order;
Blind Bets : The players to the dealers left place the big
and small blind
Small Blind (the Player who sits left of the Dealer) bets half the
lower limit.
Big Blind (the Player who sits left of the Small Blind) bets equal
to the lower limit.
Round 1 : All players are dealt two pocket cards face down
Betting : After pocket cards are dealt you can fold, bet
or raise but cannot check (1 bet or 3 raises allowed)
Round 2 : The Flop - Three communal cards are dealt face
up
Betting : After the Flop you can check, fold, bet or raise
Round 3 : The Turn - One additional communal card is dealt
face up
Betting Round : After the Turn you can check, fold, bet or
raise
Round 4 : The River - The final communal card is dealt face
up
Round 4 : The final round of betting where you can
check, fold, bet or raise
Betting Rules
Playing and betting proceeds in a clockwise direction as per normal
poker rules. All bets must be placed in conjunction with the game's
betting increments. Each bet and raise during the first two rounds
is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure, and for the last
two rounds at a higher limit structure.
The maximum allowable number of bets per Player during any betting
round in Texas Hold'em poker is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2)
raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap. The term cap is used to describe
the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can't be
raised further. Once capped, Players will have only the option of
calling or folding.
For example in a $1/$2 Texas Hold'em game, all bets and raises are
$1 for the first two rounds (after pocket cards are dealt and after
the flop). All bets and raises are $2 for the last two rounds (after
the turn and after the river), following poker rules. In rounds where
Players have folded, the first live Player left of the Disc/Dealer
is first to act.
The Showdown
After the final round of betting comes the Showdown.The point where
all players vying for the win must make up the best possible five
card hand using any of the following; 2 pocket cards and 3 communal
cards, 1 pocket card and 4 communal cards or All five of the communal
cards. The highest hand wins the pot.
Pay Offs and House Advantages
Depending on the game betting style (No Limit, Pot Limit or Limit)
you can win pots of really any value. The best thing about poker is
that you are playing against other players so their is no inbuilt
house advantage. The poker rooms make money by collecting a small
amount for every hand played - this is called the rake.
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