Learn How To Play Texas Holdem Poker

If you have started playing poker, it is likely that Texas Holdem will be the first game that you start playing. This is a sensible choice as it is an easy game to get hold of but it can be a difficult game of master. There is a very good learning curve to Texas Holdem which means you can keep on improving over time, the more you study and play, which is something that most poker players are happy with. There are plenty of other poker games to choose from including 7 card stud or Omaha but these games require a stronger level of understanding odds and counting cards. The beauty of Texas Holdem is that it can be picked up in a matter of minutes and if you are able to play regularly, you will improve all the time.

Every game of Texas Holdem sees the dealer shuffling a deck of 52 playing cards and every player around the table is handed two cards. These cards are placed face down and they are referred to as the pocket cards or the hole cards. Once all of the cards have been dealt and the dealer has a card facing upwards, the first betting round begins. The player situated at the left of the blinds will place the first bet and this round is referred to as the pre-flop betting round. As with most poker games, players are able to fold, raise or call at this point in time.

Once all of the players have made their initial bet or move, the dealer will discard the card that is at the top of the deck. This is done to minimize the impact of cheating in the game, with the card that is dismissed being referred to as the burn card. The dealer will then flip the next three cards over on to the table. This is referred to as the flop and all of these cards are communal cards, which mean that any player can use them alongside their two cards in order to create a poker hand. The player at the left hand side of the dealer will start the next round of betting.

After this set of betting is finished, the dealer will remove the top card once again before placing another communal card onto the table and this card is called the turn. Yet another round of betting begins and in this round, you should expect some players to start doubling the size of their bet. Following this, another card will be burned and one final card will be placed facing upwards on the table, which is referred to as the river. Players are now able to use the five table based cards or the two they hold to make their hand and then there is one final betting round. This is followed by the showdown with players yet to reveal hands doing so from left to right. The player with the best hand wins!