Poker 101: Texas Holdem For Dummies
Although it's hard to imagine that there are actually people out there who don't play or don't even know HOW to play poker its true. Instead of knocking these people for their lack of experience, its in the best interests of everyone who plays the game to teach these people how to play. And not only how to play but how to play properly. We all started somewhere and after thousands and thousands of hands (as with many things) we forget what it was like.
So why not (along with those who actually need to learn) give ourselves a quick refresher on how the wonderful game we know as Texas Holdem poker works. This article assumes you know at least the basics of general poker. Because if you don't at least know those, well, than your in the wrong part of town my friend. It's called Google. Use it.
Holdem is a type of poker that is arguably the most popular version that is played today. You start with the pre-decided amount of chips and are then dealt two cards. These cards are called your pocket (or hole) cards. Raise, check, and fold rules all apply for this version of the game. Please tell me you know what those are? Okay good. The goal is to use your two pocket cards and any three of the five cards the dealer is about to drop down, to get the best hand. Are you still with me? Excellent!
After a round of raising, checking or folding, the dealer drops down three cards. These three cards are called the flop. Cue one round of betting and one more dealer issued card. This fourth card is called the turn card. Cue one last round of betting and the dealer will then flip the very last of the five cards he'll deal onto the middle of the table. This last card is called the river.
At this point, if you haven't folded, there is one final round of betting. Players will then begin to show there cards beginning with whomever the betting last fell on. Thus, you will eventually discover the winner. Either YOU are the winner and you get to celebrate while taking the chips in the middle of the table, or you lose and you get to watch someone else do the exact same thing.
See? I told you it wasn't very hard!!
There are two different types of this version of poker as well. Limit and no-limit. That's basically all you need to know to surmise what the two terms mean, but there is a tad more to it than that. Although that is also an easy topic of discussion, it will have to wait for another day. Class is about to be dismissed...
Texas Holdem is definitely an entertaining version of poker and very easy too. Its no wonder why its one of the most popular versions of poker that is played today! Now go play and learn some poker!