Texas Hold ‘Em or (texas holdem) is the most popular version of poker played in casinos. It is a fast-paced game that can be played by multiple players. Texas holem is a betting game but the basic actions and winning hands are the same as normal poker, continue reading if you wish to learn to play poker.

The basic rules of the game are pretty simple. First of all, before any cards are dealt, the two players on the left side of the dealer put a predetermined amount of money into the pot. Now the dealer shuffles the cards and each player is dealt two cards called the ‘hole cards’ with their faces down. Betting takes place staring with the player on the left side of the dealer. The players can call, raise or fold during their turn. After this, the dealer discards the card on top of the deck for ensuring that no cheating takes place. The next three cards are placed face up on the table. They are called ‘flop’. Then the dealer places five ‘community cards’ with their faces up on the table. Players can use whatever combination they want with the five community cards and their own two hole cards. The aim is to create the best possible hand they can. Now the second round of betting takes place. The dealer discards another card which is on top of the deck and places the next card with it’s face up on the table. This is called the ‘Fourth Street’. Players can check, call, raise and fold when their turn comes. The third round of betting begins now. The dealer discards yet another card and the next card in the deck is placed with it’s face up on the table. This is known as the ‘Fifth Street’ or the ‘river’. Finally, the players create the best five card poker hand possible with a combination of five community cards and the two hole cards whose identity is known only to themselves. The fourth and final round of betting now begins. At the end of this round the players who remain in the game show their hands, with the player who made the last raise or the player who placed the first bet showing their hand first. The player who has the best hand becomes the winner.

Though the basic rules are simple, more important is to develop an instinct to know when your opponents are bluffing and when they actually have a good hand. And not showing your emotions while playing is a good trick to put others on a wrong track. But the most important rule of texas holdem is to just have fun!

About the Author

Frank Woodford is a part time but professional copywriter from Nottingham, England. He is a gambling and poker enthusiast and has produced this article on behalf of WassOnline, a great poker forum and casino review site.