By far the most popular version of poker played at a serious level has to be Texas Hold’em. Though there are dozens of versions of poker played based on where you are playing, Texas Hold’em is one version that is available all over – and everyone knows the rules.
The basics are pretty easy.
- Blind bets are put out by two players to the left of the dealer
- Each player is dealt 2 cards face down
- The first move starts with the player to the left of the big blind bet. He can either call the bet, raise the bet, or fold
- Betting continues around the table in clockwise direction
- Once betting is done, three cards are dealt to the center of the table and are known as the ‘flop’. These cards are dealt face up, and every player can use those cards in conjunction with his own to create the best hand
- One more round of betting happens beginning with the player on the dealer’s left
- A fourth card is added to the flop
- One more round of betting takes place
- The fifth card is added to the flop, and one more round of betting happens
- The player who can make the best five card hand by using his two cards and the ones on the board wins.
Simply put, this is basically how Texas Hold’em is played. As you get used to the style of the game, more strategies and tips will keep coming up, and you will keep improving your game by calling bluffs and so on. Its great fun!