GamingTips

Okay.  So, this is probably the most popular Poker game out there (at least right now), so we’ll start with it.  This is going to be the very, very basics of how the game is played, not getting into any strategy.  Also, since there are three different betting limit structures, I’m not going to mention the amounts you are able to bet each time, but understand that there are always certain limitations.

 The blinds:  The first thing to know about Hold ‘Em is that it usually there is no ante per se.  That is, not everyone is required to put down a bet before the game begins.  Instead, the player to the left of the “dealer” puts in a small bet, called the small blind and the player to the left of that puts in a bet twice the size (usually), called the big blind.

A note on the “dealer.”  At home, you should actually rotate who deals after each and every hand.  In casinos, where the dealer is not expected to physically move each time, a white button labeled “dealer” moves around the table.  The cards are dealt, and betting conducted, as if the dealer were sitting with the player who currently holds the buttons.

Alright.  Back to our game.  So, the blinds are down, and it’s time to deal the cards.  The dealer starts with the small blind and deals clockwise, dealing each player one card at a time.  Each player receives a total of two cards.  There is now a first round of betting, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind.  They may call the big blind, raise the bet, or fold their hand (meaning they will give the dealer their cards, face down, and will not be eligible to play this hand).  Each player then has the same options, except that to call they must call the largest bet made.  The small blind will need less money to call, since they already have some money out.  The big blind has an “option” if the blinds are not raised at all.  They can check for free, or raise the bet.  Betting continues to rotate around until each player has either called the highest bet or folded.

Next, the dealer will burn a card.  That’s a fancy casino word for discarding without using.  Then, she will deal three face up cards, called the flop.  Players may look again at their cards.  The first player to the dealer’s left who still  has cards gets the first action now, as in all subsequent betting rounds.  They may check, bet, or, if they really want, fold (although that’s foolish since they can check for free).  Again, beting continues clockwise until all players have either called the highest bet or folded (or the table limit has been reached).

The dealer will now burn another card, and deal one more card, the Turn (or Fourth Street).  Another betting round follows.

The dealer then burns another card and deals a fifth community card, The Turn (or Fifth Street), followed by yet another round of betting.  Once this round of betting is complete, the player who bet or raised the last bet shows their cards first, and each player following has the choice to show their cards or to muck them (discard them face down) if they cannot beat the previously eposed hands.

 In Texas Hold ‘Em, players try to create the best 5 card hand out of their two “hole” cards and the 5 community cards in the center of the table.  The two unused cards do not count for anything.  A player may use all 5 community cards and none of their own cards (although this would result in splitting the pot with any remaining players), 4 community cards and one of their own cards, or 3 community cards and both of their hole cards.  Hands are ranked as described in my post on Poker Hands.

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