This is basically the first in a series of articles where I will begin to explain the game of Texas Hold’em, and some tips and strategies according to me from my studies and experiences to get a competitive edge in this poker game. There are two ways to play this game, Ring games (cash games) or tournament style. In this article I will explain the rules and how to play the game of Texas Hold’em. After reading this article you should have a decent understanding of the game and if you are to watch a game on television or live you should be able to follow it and understand what is going on.

How to play? Well first, you need a deck of cards. The best poker hand takes the pot in this game. The rankings for poker hands are as follows from best to worst. Royal Flush: ex: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten of the entire same suit. Straight flush: 5 cards in a row in the same suit (of course the highest one being the royal flush). Four of a Kind: four cards of the same value, ex KKKK. Full House: 3 cards of the same value, with 2 other cards of different value. Ex. KKK33, Flush: 5 cards of the same suit, Straight: 5 cards in order; the suit does not matter. Three of a kind: three cards of the same value. Two pair: two different sets of the same cards of the same value, ex: 22 33 A (the A in this case doesn’t matter unless it is valued as a high card, will explain high card later on). One Pair: one pair of cards of the same value, ex: AA, and finally high card, which is none of the previous orders of cards and the highest value in your hand is the high card. Now for all of these hands there can be for example two different people with three of a kind, the person with the higher three of a kind is the winner. For example: 333 vs KKK, the KKK would take the pot. This goes for everything else as well. Now when two players are tied lets say they both have the same two pair. One player has A 3 3 2 2, and the other player has K 3 3 2 2. Then the high card comes into play. The player with the A in his/her hand is the winner because that is the higher card.

Now that you know what hand will beat what, how do you play Texas Hold’em? First this is a game involving betting of money, chips, pennies, whatever you desire to use. The dealer deals two cards around the table to each person playing face down. You now have two cards in front of you that you can look at but you do not want to show the other players. These are referred to as your “hole cards”. Now there would be a round of betting and after the round is over three community cards will be dealt face up in the middle of the table. Another round of betting will occur and then one more card will be face up in the table, followed by another round of betting and the last card will be dealt face up in the middle of the table and ending with a final round of betting. I will get more into the betting patterns and explain small and big blind in further articles. The first three cards that are dealt face up are known as the “flop” the fourth card is known as the “turn” and the final card is known as the “river”. What do these 5 cards have to do with my two cards? The object of the game is to make the best 5 card poker hand. Your two hole cards are yours alone to help you with your poker hand. No one else at the table knows what you have nor can share the values of your two cards. The five cards in the middle of the table are shared by everyone and can be seen by all of the players. So out of the seven cards you have at your aid (two in front of you, and 5 in the middle of the table) you choose the best 5 cards to create the best 5 card poker hand as described above in the explanation of the order of poker hands, and if your combination is the best in play you take down the pot.

So basically you have two cards in front of you, and you bet according to the strengths and weaknesses attributed to your cards at hand. Then comes the flop, you bet again, and then comes the turn and another round of betting. Finally the river comes out and you know where you stand with the poker hands and you make your best judgments with a final round of betting and the cards are flipped over and the winner takes the pot. Hopefully now you will understand the basic’s of Texas Hold’em, check back soon for another article dedicated to betting in Texas Hold’em.