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Introduction to Texas Hold'em
Introduction to Texas Hold'em
by Mike Greenberg
Although Texas Holdem is a game which can take years to master, it can be learned in its most basic form quite quickly. And, there is no substitute for hands-on experience - you can read about Texas Hold'em until the cows til the cows come home, but until you actually start playing, you will never truly grasp this game’s unique flow.
Therefore, let’s review some of the game’s fundamentals you’ll need to remember before you get out there and start playing.
Grab The Pot
The object of the game in Texas Hold'em is to collect the pot at the end of each hand. Pretty basic, right? However, here’s where things get interesting. Texas Hold'em can be qualified as a "community card" game, meaning that all the players involved will build their final hand based upon certain shared cards. Five of these cards are dealt throughout the course of a hand, and are used in conjunction with two cards that are yours alone. These two cards are referred to as "hole" cards because they are kept face down throughout the hand.
Show And Tell?
Whether your hole cards will ever be revealed to the other players depends upon the outcome of the hand. For instance, if you find yourself in a one-on-one (or "heads up") situation at the end of hand and you convince your opponent to fold through masterful bluffing, it is up to you whether to reveal your two hole cards. After a successful bluff has been executed, some players cannot resist the temptation of rubbing it in their opponent's face by revealing the worthless cards. Other, more cautious players, decide not to reveal their cards and thus keep their opponents guessing indefinitely.
A Typical Hand
Let’s now look at the overall structure of a typical hand of Texas Hold'em. Once you have been dealt your hole cards, there is a betting round known as the "pre-flop". Then the dealer will set three cards face up on the table, which are collectively called the "flop", and a betting round follows this. Another card is turned face up, called the "turn", followed by yet another round of betting. Then, the river card is dealt, also face up, the final betting round takes place, and the chips change hands.
It’s easy to learn how to play Texas Holdem, so start practicing now!
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