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Here it is - Texas Hold'em,
the Cadillac of Poker. If you watch any TV, follow any trendy fad,
or use the internet (that's how you got here, buddy)... then you've
probably heard of Texas Hold'em.
With that said, I plan
on spending the least amount of time covering this game. Below are
the basic rules to play, the two major
variations (Limit and No
Limit), and some simple strategy for each.
How
to Play:
Typically, the game
accommodates 2-10 players. Ante is optional. Pot action is ensured
through the use of Blinds, which are mandatory bets assigned before
the cards are dealt.
The dealer shuffles
the deck and deals two cards, face down, to each player, followed
by a round of betting. The first player left of the dealer has a
mandatory bet called the Small Blind. Generally, this is set at
half of the minimum bet for the table. The player to his left has
the Big Blind, a second mandatory bet, typically set at the table
minimum. All other players (including the Small Blind) now must
call that amount to play. If everyone simply calls the Big Blind,
the player at the Big Blind has the option to raise, as he posted
his money before the cards were dealt.
Once the pot is right,
the dealer will burn a card (cast aside the next card for deck separation)
and deal three community cards face up and a round of betting begins
left of the dealer. This is called the Flop.
After the pot is right,
another card is burned and a 4th community card is dealt. This is
called the Turn or 4th Street. Another round of betting occurs.
Finally, another card
is burned and the last community card is dealt. This is called the
River or 5th Street. After a final round of betting, the hold cards
are exposed and the best 5-card poker hand wins the pot.
Remember, poker is a
5-card game. Players are not required to use their hold cards to
make their best hand and ties to the 5th card are split.
Poker
Games
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