The Texas Hold ‘Em Basics

Let us briefly touch on the unique rules of Texas Hold ‘Em.  If you already know the basics of the game and you are just looking for odds, tips and techniques, you may wish to skip this section.   If you need a primer, here is a brief overview:

You will start with a standard deck of 52 cards, using the values of standard poker.  You may call aces as high or low.

  • Establish a dealer position and, if you’d like a specified dealer. This position will rotate around the table as the game progresses.
  • The first player to the left of the dealer will make what is called a ‘small blind bet’ and the player directly to the left of this first player will make a ‘big blind bet’ to get some money in the pot.  This process is called ‘posting the blinds’.
  • Beginning with the player directly to the left of the dealer, each player will receive two cards (called the hole or pocket cards)
  • The player to the left of the ‘big blind’ will call or raise the big blind bet, and the play will progress around the table (known as pre-flop).  You can, of course, establish table rules regarding the size of bets and raises depending on the number of players, etc.
  • The ‘small blind’ can raise the big blind.  If no one raises the big blind, the player who originated the big blind can raise her/his big blind bet.
  • To prevent cheating, the dealer then discards the top card of the deck (called the burn card) and deals three cards, face up, to the center of the table (the flop).
  • A second round of betting proceeds beginning with the player directly to the left of the dealer position.
  • After this round is completed, the dealer burns another card and deals a fourth card, face up, to add to the ‘flop’.  This card is referred to as ‘the turn’.
  • The turn is followed by a third round of betting.  This is often where the bets are doubled.
  • The dealer then burns another card and then a fifth card dealt, face up, to the center of the table (the river).
  • The minimum bet for the next round of betting is usually the same as the previous round.
  • After this round of betting is concluded, every remaining player must analyze the best hand they can play, based on the value of the best two cards in their own hand and the five ‘community cards’ (otherwise known as ‘communal cards’), at the center of the table.  The player does NOT have to use both of her own cards if she does not wish to do so. 
  • Beginning with the player directly to the left of the last player to ‘call’, each player will reveal her/his hand in what is called ‘the showdown’.

 

The best hand will win, based on the following rankings:

Straight Flush   Five cards of the same suit in consecutive order

Four of a Kind   Four cards of equal rank, and a fifth card

Full House                Three of a kind and a pair

Flush                Five cards of the same suit (will not beat a straight flush)

Straight            Five cards in consecutive order (will not beat a straight flush)

Three of a Kind Three cards of equal rank, and two additional cards

Two Pair           Two pair and a fifth card

A Pair               A pair and three additional cards

High                 Five cards that do not comprise any better hand. 

King or Queen High for example might win the pot if there are no better hands

In the event of a tie, the value of the individual cards will be used to break the tie.  The unused cards in the player’s hand do not have any value or merit to change the outcome of the game or to break a tie.

You should, of course, understand any additional house rules that apply to the game before you sit in.