How to Play Texas Hold Em for Beginners

Do you have what it takes to make it in the big Texas Hold 'em tournaments? Well, I can't guarantee that by reading this that you will be raking in the dough tomorrow, but it could get you started. First, the basics of Texas Hold em' Poker. Texas Hold em' uses a small disc called the "dealer button" to indicate the dealer of each hand. Once a hand is completed, the dealer button moves clockwise to the next player. The player to the left of the dealer button is required to place the "small blind" and the next player to the left is required to place the "big blind." After the blinds are in, two whole cards are dealt face down to each player. Then comes the first round of betting. Starting with the player to the left of the "big blind", they have the option to bet, raise or fold. All remaining players can then call, raise or fold. Next comes the "flop", where three community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. After this there is another round of betting. The next card dealt is the "turn", followed by another round of betting. Finally the last card, called the "river", is dealt, followed by the last round of betting. Now comes the showdown after the last player in the hand has checked, called, or folded. Any remaining players will now display their two cards and the player who has the best hand wins. Players can use a combination of their own cards and the community cards or all 5 community cards. If two or more players have the same hand then the pot is split equally between them.

First learn hand ranking. Memorize what hands beat others. Here a list of possible poker hands from best to worst. 1)Royal Flush 2)Straight Flush 3)Four of a Kind 4)Full House 5)Flush 6)Straight 7)Three of a Kind 8)Two Pair 9)One Pair 10)High Card

Practice by yourself, with phantom opponents. This will let you get a feeling for the blinds, and will take the embarrassment out of miscalling a hand at a full table. Play for fun with friends. This will allow you to start reading other player's reactions, and will also help you learn how to bet effectively. Read a book. Of course this is no guarantee to become a star poker player, but there are some great poker books out. A few of my favorites are: The Theory of Poker by David Slansky, Doyle Brunson's Super System II by Doyle Brunson, and Caro's Book of Poker Tells by Mike Caro. Remember to start out small. Internet poker sites are a great way to get some cheap experience. Finally, remember this: Never slow play unless you have an unbeatable hand.