These days, poker is synonymous with Texas Hold'em. The popular game has exploded onto the scene in recent years, and online poker rooms are clogged with players looking to win it big or just have a little fun.
The game has grown so huge that it's moved beyond being just a simple card game - thanks to movies and television, Hold'em poker is a spectator sport in its own right. Before you join in the fun, here's a basic overview of how to play the game.
Like just about every type if poker, the objective is to win the pot. Players try to create the best hand possible out of up to seven cards dealt. The game starts with each player being dealt two cards face down - these cards are known as the hole or pocket cards.
Since most Hold'em games don't require a player to ante up, the game often uses big blinds and small blinds in order to make sure there is some money in the pot. The small blind is put up by the player left of the dealer, usually half the amount of the big blind, put up by the player left of the small blind. The big blind then becomes the minimum bet in what is known as the "pre-flop" round of betting.
The dealer throws down a burn card, followed by three face-up community cards called "the flop." Cue another round of betting, another burn card and then a fourth community card called "the turn." More betting is followed by one more burn card and a last community card called "the river."
After this comes the final round of betting, and if more than one player is still standing, the showdown, where regular poker rules apply to the winning hands. In the case that two players draw their best hands entirely from the community cards, then the pot is split between them.
There are different forms of Hold'em poker, the most popular being limit hold'em. In this version, bets in the pre-flop and flop round must be equal to the big blind. In the turn and river, the bets must equal twice the big blind. In another version, no-limit Hold'em, there are no caps on betting, and players can raise as much as they can afford.
Now that you've got a basic understanding of the game, you're ready to play. Just remember, practice makes perfect!
Tom Shannahan has been playing poker since he was 16. He grew up watching his father play with friends once a week. He currently writes part time for Pokerlistings.com where you can find valuable information about Poker Rooms and Poker Room Reviews.
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