Texas Hold'em Rules and Strategy

Looking for a place to learn about Texas Holdem?

It's a game very easy to get acquainted with! Being much easier than other popular card games, Texas Holdem poker is by far the best game for novice gamblers. The game is a derivative of poker game . Poker was brought in America by pioneers of the Wild West. Fist casinos in the US, Mexico and Canada were having poker rooms and tables as a rule. Texas Holdem was created to facilitate the game for novice gamblers and those, who had no time to learn the game, but had desire to gamble. Firstly it was played in one of forgotten casinos of Texas, that's why it is called Texas Holdem poker. Since then, the game became the most popular entertainment in casinos all over the world, because there is no easier game to learn. Few hours of learning the room and a week of practicing will make you an average player, but if you want to play immediately - a hour of learning the rules and hands will be quite sufficient. Unlike ordinary poker game with hundreds of rules and hand combinations, tricks and hidden turns, Texas Holdem poker is quite easy and understandable for everybody.

This web resource is specially created for both novice and professional players to supply you with the needed information, knowledge and skills and show you the way to places where you will practice your skills for free or real money - depends on your taste. Besides of articles and links, the site contains a message board, where you can chat with other players exchanging your experience or consult with moderators - professional Texas Holdem poker players. Moreover, you can write and send own articles, which will be added to the library. For each approved article you will receive a bonus - certain amount of Texas Holdem poker chips of best online casinos. Well, let's set to the task - learn the game . If you are a professional player and are not in need of the game's basics - visit other site's sections which can be useful for your skill level.

The only note you should take before reading this game's description and rules is that they are not absolute. The following rules are commonly played version, but some details may vary in different casinos.

The Texas Holdem poker game is a community cards game. Means they you collect your hand using two pocket cards ( Pocket cards are two cards dealt in the beginning of the game for each player face-down ) and the community cards dealt in the center of the table face-up.

The betting structure is variable in different casinos, as we have mentioned yet, but usually the game begins with two players, who is situated to the left from the dialers button. They post 2 bets - the big and the small blinds , which are an initial deposit to the pot. Note: The dialer's button (or dealer button) is a yellow disk marked with a "D". This disk indicates the current dialer's position.

The dealer shuffles a 52-cards deck of playing cards. Each player is dealt with two pocket cards (also known as " hole cards ") face-down. The first round, which is commonly knows as the " pre-flop " round begins with betting starting with the third player to the left from the initial dialer's position (The next player from those who posted the blinds). The betting amount is different, being determined by the type of the game played. Then you can see your pocket cards and try to predict the hand. Players can check, rise or fold, just as in ordinary poker game. In the end of the first betting round the dialer " burns " the top card in the deck. In land based casinos this means that dealer discards the card (of course he doesn't burns them) to prevent cheating. However, if you are using the Texas Holdem software to play online, it can have a built-in effect, like if the card is really burnt.

After this, the next three cards are dealt in the center of the table. These cards are the flop, or community cards . Combining the community cards with pocket cards, each player can form a Texas Holdem poker hand. (For detailed information on poker hands - see the corresponding section).

The next betting round starts with the player to the left from the dialer. After all betting is done, the dialer burns one more card and the next community card is dealt in the center of table. This card is commonly called " the turn ". This card can be used to form your hand too.

The next betting round begins. In some types of Texas Holdem games (for instance No Limit and Tournament ) bets are double on this betting round. The top card from the deck is burnt again and the last community card is dealt. This card is called " the river ". Now all five community cards are available for all players to form their five-card hands. You can use one, both, or none pocket cards to form your hand.

The last betting round begins. After all bets are done the game ends with the showdown . This is when all players are showing their hands. The dialer counts the best hand and declares the winner, who receives the whole pot. In case if there are two equal hands - the pot being split among both winners.

That's it. You may have understood how easy the game is. The only thing remains to do is a good practice. Don't start tossing your money on table immediately. Our site still contains lot's of useful information for beginners. You can view all needed using the navigation bar to the left from the article, or if you have strongly decided to begin right now - go to the "Free Texas Holdem" page, which contains links to free rooms. You will have an excellent practice there and we hope that you will become a successful player and winner. Have a nice time and good luck!

Also see other Poker Rules


The best Poker Rooms to play Texas Hold'em

» Titan Poker

Titan Poker is an exciting online poker room that is quickly becoming the favorite for many players. Titan Poker's realistic and player-friendly software offers a wide range of tournament and ring game play, including progressive jackpot sit 'n' go tournaments. The jackpots grow larger each week, enabling players to win as much as $100,000, in addition to their normal tournament winnings.

Titan Poker has awarded many of its qualified players with entries to the Main Event of the 2006 World Series of Poker, and holds regularly scheduled tournaments with incredibly high prize pools. Titan Poker recently staged a $100 Million Freeroll Tournament, sending players to a mainland Final Table and a real chance at a $100 Million Jackpot Prize.

Joanna Krupa, the World's Hottest Swimsuit Model, has joined Titan Poker as its official Spokesmodel. Joanna, who has graced the magazine covers of Playboy and Maxim, and who has appeared in a number of film and television projects, regularly plays at the online poker tables at Titan Poker. In addition, she will represent Titan Poker at leading poker competitions and tournaments around the world, including the World Series of Poker.

Titan Poker offers its new depositors incredible Signup and Reload Bonuses, awarded to players as they earn Titan Poker Points at ring games and tournaments. All depositors are entitled to enter a weekly Depositors Freeroll.

Titan Poker recently launched its exclusive VIP Club, rewarding its loyal players with weekly and monthly freeroll tournaments, faster bonus redemption, and exclusive chances to win free seats to the World Series of Poker.

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods accepted by Titan Poker: NETeller, Click2Pay, FirePay, uKash, Payspark, eCheck, InstaDebit, UseMyBank, Moneybookers, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club), Money Transfers, Solo and Switch debit Cards, Bank Wire, Swift, ACH.

This Poker Room is not open to players from the United States.

» Pacific Poker

Remember those Friday night Poker games with your buddies? Are you a shark looking for a game anytime? Casino-on-Net, since 1996 the most respected and trusted name in Online Casino gaming, proudly presents Pacific Poker, the Internet's premier Poker Room. Now you can experience the fun and excitement of playing your favorite Poker games, Online against other people from around the world, day or night. The games are crisp, realistic and easy to play.

At Pacific Poker you play just the way you like. New to Poker? Our lower limit stakes or Demo Money tables are great places to pick up the game and Chat with new friends while you play. If you're a serious player, try out one of our higher limit stake tables and challenge your skills where the "Big Boys" play. For a fast, intimate game, without any distractions, go head to head at one of our One-on-One Tables.

Pacific Poker's unlimited Demo Money version means you can play all the Poker games you want—for Free. There are no forms to fill out, no obligations to make and no limits on your play - just loads of fun.

NEW!! Multi table tournaments!! Fancy pitting your skills against as many opponents as possible? Then a multi table tournament is for you!! The more players you compete against the larger the prize pool!!. You can potentially play against hundreds of players spread across many tables, as players are knocked out the survivors are moved around the remaining tables until only one remains. Why not try a Sit and Go tournament? Sit down at one table and play until only one player remains!! The tournament starts when all the available seats are taken.

Pacific Poker loves to spoil their Real Money Members. Sign-up today and receive a guaranteed 25% Welcome Bonus on your first deposit. Earn Comp Points while you play at Pacific Poker and convert your points into cash.

Pacific Poker's friendly and courteous Customer Support staff is second to none. Contact our representatives 24/7, for prompt, professional assistance. Join us today at the Internet' premier Poker Room and experience the fun and excitement of playing Poker against other people Online!.

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods accepted by Pacific Poker: Visa, MasterCard, deposit via telephone or fax, Diners Club, EuroCard, Chinese Debit Card, Laser, Solo, Switch/Maestro, eWallet Xpress, ACTeCASH, ePassporte, FirePay, MoneyBookers, Neteller, Immediate Check (e-check), European Cheque, InstaDebit, Bank Transfer (online and offline), Boleto, Commerzbank OnlineBankingweb, Deutsche Bank 24 Direct Debit, Direct Debit (Offline Bank Authorization), Direct Debit (Offline Bank Authorization), eNets, NetPay, Partner Online Paying (POP), PayBox, Uhispank, Wire Transfer, Cash PrePaid Card, PaySafeCard.

This poker room not accepts American players.