Texas Holdem Skills: Understanding the Game

First introduced to the world in a small town in Texas around the turn of the 20th century, Texas Holdem has grown to take its place as the worlds most popular poker game. Think youre ready to step up to the table?

Holdem is different than draw poker in that players try to create the best hand possible out of up to seven cards dealt. Five of those cards are visible to all the players, and act as the community cards, or the board. The game starts with each player being dealt two cards face down these cards are known as the hole or pocket cards.

Since most Holdem games dont require a player to ante up, the game often uses big blinds and small blinds in order to make sure there is some money in the pot. The small blind is put up by the player left of the dealer, usually half the amount of the big blind, put up by the player left of the small blind. The big blind then becomes the minimum bet in what is known as the pre-flop round of betting.

The dealer throws down a burn card, followed by three face-up community cards called the flop. Cue another round of betting, another burn card and then a fourth community card called the turn. More betting is followed by one more burn card and a last community card called the river.

After this comes the final round of betting, and if more than one player is still standing, the showdown, where regular poker rules apply to the winning hands. In the case that two players draw their best hands entirely from the community cards, then the pot is split between them.

Remember, before you think youre on top of the world because youve got a pair of tens in the hole, theres a lot more cards and possible combinations out there, especially in a game with a large number of players. Dont let that stop you from agressive play, however, if youre in a strong position before the flop. Come out strong and keep raising if you can get others to fold, then youve help thin out the competition and increased your chances at winning. But if the flop doesnt fall in your favor and it seems to cause a flurry of new betting, you might consider folding. Theres always the next hand.