Learn How to Play No-limit Texas Hold'em

Whether you like it or not, poker is here in a big way and will be around for long time. With TV and the media embracing it like a professional sport, why not take the time to learn a fun game that can have immediate dividends? There's a lot that goes into playing no-limit Texas hold'em, but this article is going to focus on getting started and basic rules.

As they say, poker is a game that takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. First, the basic idea of no-limit is to take all of your opponent's money. You can play with as little as 2 players, or as many as you want, with the maximum of 10 being allowed at a single table.

To start, there are two forced bets called blinds. The big-blind is required to post the minimum bet, and the small blind is required to post half of that. Blinds can be as high or low as you like, but most blinds are subjected to raising in timed intervals, that is they double every half our or so. The small blind is seated exactly to the right of the little blind and can only play the hand if they call the remainder of the big blind. If any other players want to continue playing, they also must call the big blind. The betting goes clockwise until all bets have been made and called. This is after two cards are dealt face down to each player. Only the holder of the cards is allowed to use these cards.

Next comes the flop. The flop is where the dealer deals 3 cards face up that are considered community cards. These cards can be used by any of the players in combination with the cards in their hand to make the best 5-card hand. The dealer must first "burn" a card, or discard one before flopping the first three cards. This is to prevent cheating. After the flop has been shown, a round of betting is next. The betting starts with the small blind and moves around until all bets are hedged and called. If someone doesn't want to bet, they can check and not do anything. However, if a bet is made, then one can call, raise, or fold. There is no checking allowed once a bet has been made.

After the flop, another card is "burnt", and another is placed face up that can be used as another community card. Another round of betting is allowed following the previous parameters.

A fifth and final card is burnt and placed face up and a final round of betting commences. After all bets have been made, the best five-card hand is the winner. This means that one or none of the cards that each player holds can be used. It is not required to use both.

The rankings of the hands are as follows.
1. A royal flush: five cards in sequential order of the same suit, all being face cards, i.e. A-K-Q-J-10 of spades.
2. A straight flush: five cards in sequential order of the same suit, i.e. 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts.
3. Four of a kind: all four cards of a certain denomination, i.e. 4-4-4-4-A
4. A full house: three of a kind and a pair in the same hand, i.e. 4-4-4-3-3, the highest of the three of a kind is the better hadn. 5. A flush: five cards of the same suit, i.e. 3-7-8-10-A of hearts.
6. A straight: five cards in sequential order, i.e. 2-3-4-5-6.
7. Three of a kind: three of the same denomination, i.e., 3-3-3-6-9.
8. Two pair: Two different pairs, i.e. 3-3-6-6-10.
9. A pair: a single pair, i.e. 9-9-10-K-2.
10. High card: the highest card, i.e. A-9-5-3-2.

These are the simple rules to a great game, so good luck and have fun!