There are so many different poker games out there to choose from, everyone has their own favourite. It helps, before you play, to familiarise yourself with the rules of each game so that even when you are playing for fun, you understand what’s going on.

Texas Hold’Em Poker is one of the most popular games that is played and is an easy game to learn if you are a novice to poker.

Most poker sites such as Party Poker and Poker Stars offer you the chance to practice for free before you play with real money. After a few hours of practising you should be confident enough to wager a few dollars.

The betting structure for Texas Hold’Em does vary, but the most common structure is where the 2 players to the left of the dealer post the blinds - big and small. The big blind is the minimum bet and the small blind is half that.

Each player is dealt 2 cards face down. These are the pocket cards. The betting then starts. The first person to bet is the person to the left of those who placed the blinds. With most games, the players can check, raise or fold.
Once each player has had a turn, the top card on the deck is thrown out and the next three cards on the table are placed face up on the table. These are the community cards and are known as the flop.
The players use these community cards to make the best hand.

The player to the left of the dealer then starts the betting. Following this round, the top card is discarded and the fourth community card is turned over - this is the turn. Now follows another round of betting. The top card of the deck is discarded and the fifth community card is revealed - this is the river.

The final round of betting begins.

The player with the best hand, made up from their 2 cards and any of the 5 community cards, wins the pot.

Betting in Texas Hold’Em can be fixed or structured. This means there is a set amount which can be bet. Only 4 bets can be made per player.

Sometimes Hold’Em has no limit - this means the player can bet any amount between the big blind and the sun of money on the table.

About the Author

Lou has played poker since she can remember and works for http://www.pokeralerts.co.uk