How to Play Texas Holdem – Beginners’ Guidelines

Texas Holdem, the most popular form of poker, is probably the most exciting and accessible variant of the game for beginners. That being said, when players first start learning how to play Texas Holdem, it can be hard to get to grips with. There’s a lot to take in, from understanding the game’s terminology to knowing when and how to bet.

Rewarding patience and aggression in equal measure, the most important thing to remember about Texas Holdem is that, unlike many card games, it’s a skill game. You’re not pitted against the dealer, against the dice, or against the casino. You’re pitted against other players. From the right choice of a Texas Holdem strategy to the art of bluffing, this Texas Holdem guide is a great introduction to the game for beginners. 

History

Texas Holdem originated in Robstown, Texas, before a group of scoundrels, gamblers, and reprobates introduced it to Las Vegas. The game’s popularity exploded in the early 2000s with the introduction of televised tournaments. Today, Texas Holdem is a regular fixture on high-profile sports shows, while professional poker players are celebrities in their own right.

Poker Hand Rankings

The rules of poker are simple – the best hand wins. A hand is made up of five cards, comprised of two hole cards and any three of the table’s five community cards. A vitally important part of learning how to play Texas Holdem is learning which hand beats which. Let’s take a look at the Texas Holdem poker hand rankings, from worst to best:

Texas Holdem Poker Rules

Let’s explore the rules of Texas Holdem and see how a normal round is played out. First, the blinds (mandatory bets) are posted. The player to the left of the dealer must post the small blind, while the player to the left of him posts the big blind. These bets get put into the pot, or potential winnings. Next, two hole cards are dealt face down to every player. After this, the actual gameplay starts. The player to the left of the big blind makes the first move. There are four choices:

After the first round of bets, the dealer deals the first three community cards, called the flop, after which the second round of betting takes place. The fourth community card is then dealt, known as the turn, before the third round of betting commences. Finally, the fifth community card, or river, is dealt. A final round of betting ensues and the remaining players reveal their cards, showing what hand they’ve been able to make. The best hand takes the pot.

Texas Holdem Tips for Beginners

Many beginners don’t really understand what makes a good or bad hand. The key thing to keep in mind is playability. Pairs of high-value cards, suited connectors, and connecting cards are all great hands to have in the pre-flop since they give you a better opportunity to make winning hands as you head into the flop.

It’s important that you don’t play too many hands. For any given hand, folding is often the best option. On the other hand, playing scared is the surest way for your opponents to get the best of you. Knowing when to bet and raise on a strong hand is vitally important for beginners and pros alike.

Bluffing is an art, and it’s an art that you should master. After you’ve played poker for long enough, you won’t even have to think about putting on that po-po-po-poker face!

Lots of players don’t have a clear grasp of how to size their bets. You have to match the size of your bet to the size of the pot. If you bet £5 into a £250 pot, you’re gaining virtually nothing. Finding a way to extract the maximum value from your hand is one of the best ways to increase your odds of winning.