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How to play Texas holdem |
Like the chords of a Beatles hit, the game of Texas holdem appears to be simple, but is surprisingly complex.
In the poker game, which, according to legend, was first played in Robstown, a suburb of Corpus Christi, in the early 1900s, each player is dealt two hands face down.
After the deal, there is a round of betting.
Next, three cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as "the flop."
Following the flop, there is a second betting round.
Next, a fourth card is dealt face up on the table. This card is known as "the turn."
Following the turn, there is a third betting round.
Finally, the fifth card is dealt face up on the table. This card is known as "the river."
Following the river, there is a fourth and final betting round.
All five cards dealt face up on the table are known as "board cards."
These cards are shared by the players. If two of the board cards are aces and a player has two aces in his hand, then he has four aces. If four of the board cards are random hearts, and a player has an ace of hearts in his hand, then he has an ace-high flush. And so on.
One way to imagine Texas Holdem is to picture a game of seven-card stud in which the players share the last five cards. Unlike stud, no player sees any other player's cards. And so holdem involves a great deal of strategy and usually a fair amount of bluffing.
Because there is no ante in Texas holdem, a dealer's button is kept on the table and placed in front of one of the players. The button is moved clockwise from one player to another following each deal. Before the deal, it is customary for the player just to the left of the button to post the "blind," which serves as an ante for the whole table. In addition, the action always begins with the player just to the left of the button who has posted the blind. It is this player who is in early position, and who must act first. In other words, he must bet or check first. And just like the game of black jack, the player in last position--the one with the dealer's button in front of him--gets to act last, and has the advantage.
Two standard axioms that many holdem players live by:
¥ Play big cards and pairs.
¥ Play stronger hands in early position.
Now, that you're ready to play, don't forget your Chris Moneymaker sunglasses. You've got to have them if you're gonna bluff. And don't forget the old poker riddle: What's the difference between a puppy and a poker player? Answer: A puppy quits whining after six months.
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