Texas Hold-em Basic Strategy and Game Play

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The most popular casino poker game online or off, is Texas Holdem. This is the game you see played at The World Poker Tour and The World Series of Poker.

Texas Holdem looks simple, but many experts will agree that is the most complex poker game. The game can be harsh or kind to all players, beginners and old poker players alike. The action of the game is fast and furious, and has more players, bets, raises and re-raises than most other typical poker games. Losers may lose very big and winners may win big. These are the reasons why Texas Holdem is so enjoyable.

The information I am about to give you is only intended to be a basic instruction and strategy for play. It is not in any way intended for those of you who may be 'expert' players.

In online Texas Holdem, you will see a 'button' which represents the dealer. In a casino, of course there is a professional dealer, and at home you will probably just pass the deck of cards from one player to the next to be dealt out for each game. The button will move clockwise around the table after each hand, with the player 'on the button' getting his cards last and betting last in each round. Keeping tabs on the button can be key to determining positional strategy.

Blinds

There is no ante in Texas Holdem, and to force action without an ante, Holdem uses blind bets. Normally, the first player will put in a small blind (equal to half of the minimum bet), the second player will put in the big blind (equal to a full minimum bet). As an example: if the game has limits of $10/$20 bets, the small blind would amount to $5 and the big blind would be $10.

The Deal and the Betting Rounds

The deal begins with the first player to the left of the button, with each player being dealt 2 cards, face down. (these are called pocket cards). The first player to the left of the button posts the small blind and the second player posts the big blind. Then the first round of betting will ensue.

After the deal, the first action is taken by the player to the left of the big blind. This player and all subsequent player can choose to call the big blind bet, fold, or raise. Blinds are live in most Holdem games, which means that in the first round of betting, they get a chance to call, check or raise when it's their turn to play. (this means that the player making the big blind would be the last player to act, after the pocket cards are dealt.)

The Flop

3 cards are laid face up in the center of the table. This is the flop. The flop serve as common cards. Another round of betting ensues after the flop is laid down, with the first remaining player to the left of the button beginning the action.

The Turn

Now a single card is laid face up, alonside the flop. We now have 4 cards facing up. There is another round of betting, beginning with the first player remaining to the left of the button.

The River

One more card is turned face up, making 5 common cards on the table. This brings the final round of betting, beginning again, with the first remaining player to the left of the button.

Showdown

Now we have the showdown. After the betting is completed and if there are more than 2 players remaining, a showdown occurs with the winner being determined by the best five card hand possible using the common cards and each players' pocket cards. It is possible to have the best hand be completely 'on the board'. In this case the remaining players will split the pot.
It is also possible to have a 'tie' with players having the same strength hands, and they will split the pot.

This completes a hand, the button moves one person clockwise, and the next hand will be dealt.