| One of the most popular variations of poker is Texas Hold'em. Conveniently it is also the easiest to learn.To begin with players are dealt two 'hole' cards that only they can see and use. Then, five 'community' cards are dealt in the middle of the table that everyone can see and use with their hand. Players can make their five-card hand from both, one or none of their hole cards in combination with the community cards.
The game is split into four rounds of betting, and the game moves clockwise around the table. Betting starts from the player position next to the dealer button, which moves one place to the left after each hand. In online games, the dealer button replaces the 'real' dealer.
If two or more players hold equally-strong winning five-card hands and tie, the pot will be split between the two players. If there is an odd chip left from the winnings, the player sitting closest to the left of the dealer button will receive this. At PartyPoker.com the value of an odd chip is 1 cent
Before the game starts, the two players sat to the left of the dealer post 'blind' bets, these are called blinds because they are made before the players have seen any cards. The blinds ensure that there is some money in the pot to play for as the game starts. The player to the left of the dealer posts the 'small blind', and the player positioned to his left then posts the 'big blind'.
Each player is dealt two cards, face down. These are called hole or pocket cards. The action begins on the player to the left of the big blind. He or she has three options: either call the bet, raise the bet, or fold.
match the amount bet in the big blind
increase the amount bet
give up the cards and any stake in the hand
This betting procedure continues clockwise around the table until each player has had a chance to act on their hand.
If one of them raises, then all players wishing to remain in the pot must match the raise amount, re-raise it or fold without having to invest any more money.
The player in the big blind (the first compulsory full bet), can 'check' and opt to stay in the game without adding anything to the pot. However, if an opponent has raised, then the big blind has three options: fold, call, or re-raise.Once all players have folded or matched each others' bets, the flop is dealt.
This stage involves dealing three 'community' cards face up on the table. Players can use these to make their five-card hand. A second round of betting follows.
The fourth community card is dealt face up on the table. The third round of betting follows.
The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt, followed by the final round of betting.
If there is more than one player left in the game, there is a showdown in which the players reveal their cards and the highest hand wins. If two players share an identical hand, the pot is split.
Watch who's playing in an aggressive or loose way and who's playing tight, try to play the loose players and avoid the tight players, unless you've got a strong hand.
Always be aware of everyone's chip count. Know who has more chips than you and play more carefully against them - a mistake could knock you out. It's usually better to play pots with players who have fewer chips than you do.
If your cards don't match any of the community cards, throw your hand away when someone else bets.
Don't play every time you have an ace in your hand. However, play an ace if it's accompanied by a card of the same suit or by a 10 or higher.
Play with pairs (7-7, 9-9), two face cards (K-Q, Q-J), or hands that can make both a straight and a flush (8-9, 6-7 of the same suit). Be patient and fold other hands, unless you're in the blind.
In no-limit Texas Hold'em, players can bet all of their chips at any time, so bet aggressively when you have a good hand.
Play fewer hands when you're one of the first players to act, because you'll be 'out of position' and vulnerable to raises from the remaining players.
Do not act until it is your turn; play proceeds clockwise at the poker table.
Being aggressive is usually good.
If someone raises in a late position (near or on the button), re-raise them a good amount if you are on the blind. Chances are, they don't have a big hand and they're just trying to steal your blinds. (This style of play, known as going 'over the top', is probably the strongest play one can make in no-limit Texas Hold'em.)
The biggest mistake most players make is to act too quickly. When you're making an important decision pause to think about how the betting has gone and what your opponent might have.
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