Texas Holdem can be played with several different betting variations, the most popular of which is No Limit Hold’em. However, limit, pot limit and mixed limit variations can also be found. Texas Hold em follows the basics of most other forms of poker in that players have the betting options of folding, checking, betting, calling or raising. The game is typically played with small and big blinds, basically a rotating forced bet structure designed to encourage action in every round.

The game begins with each player at the table being dealt two cards, face down. These are a player’s hole cards and are the only 2 cards each player will be dealt during the hand. Once the hole cards are dealt, each player will have the opportunity to check, bet, call, raise or fold, depending his cards and/or the betting action at the table preceding his turn. At this point in the game, decisions are made based only on the 2 cards a player has received. Beginners are advised to stick with quality starting hands only and to fold any others. Once the initial betting has made its way around the table, now comes the flop.

The flop sees three community cards being dealt face up in the middle of the table. In Texas Hold’em, these cards are available for use by every player at the table in combination with their two previously dealt hole cards. Now, another round of betting ensues. As players obviously know more about their hand possibilities, as well as those of the others at the table, betting and bluffing can become fast and furious at this point. After all bets have been made after the flop, now it’s time for the turn.

On the turn, an additional community card is dealt face up, next to the 3 flop cards. Players now have a total of 4 cards on the table in addition to their 2 hole cards with which to construct their best possible 5-card poker hand. Another round of betting ensues. Now, on to the river.

The river refers to the fifth and final community card being dealt, again, face up in the middle of the table. Now you know for certain what your best possible 5-card poker hand can be, constructed from any combination of your hole cards and the community cards. The final betting round now ensues. Once betting is complete, any players remaining in the pot reveal their hands in order beginning with the last person to bet or raise. The high hand wins the pot and a new game resumes.

Click here to practice for free!