How to Play Texas Holdem Poker With Rules

texas holdem pokers

Introduction

Texas Holdem is one of the most popular poker variants. It accounts for a majority of cash games, tournaments, and home poker games worldwide. 

You have to start from the basics if you want to learn how to play the game. That’s exactly what you will find in this guide. Learn how to play, rules, hand rankings, tips & and tricks - everything you need to know about Texas Holdem Poker games.

Objective

The blog will help you understand the basics of Texas Holdem, the rules, and hand rankings. It will also give you a step-by-step guide on how to play poker.

In the end, you will learn a few tips & and tricks to master the game of Texas Holdem.

What is Texas Holdem poker?

Texas Holdem is the most popular poker game in the world. It is a community card game that can be played with 6 to 9 participants.

Texas Holdem comes with simple rules, gameplay, and hand rankings. If you are new to this game, then understanding basic Texas Holdem poker rules is a key strategy. 

There is a vast possibility of situations and combinations that can be created in the Texas Holdem cash game, which makes it extremely challenging if you play at higher levels. 

Texas Holdem poker rules

There are certain Texas Hold 'em rules that you need to remember, that make this game fun and challenging:

  1. Each player deals with two cards face down that are known as hole cards.
  2. All players may use the five cards (community cards) spread by the dealer to make the best possible five-card hand and win.
  3. The flop, the turn, and the river are the three stages in which five community cards are dealt.
  4. Out of seven total cards that include hole cards and community cards, you are meant to make the five-card Texas Holdem hands.
  5. If the cards on the table make the best five-card hand, you can keep your hole cards aside and play with them. 
  6. As Texas Holdem features several betting rounds, you need to make sure that all players abandon the game before the showdown. Otherwise, you need the highest five-card poker hand to win the Texas Holdem poker game.

How to play Texas Holdem?

If you are new to Texas Holdem, we are here to help you. Along with different positions on the table, you can gain knowledge about the different betting rounds that are featured in this game.

Step 1: The buttons

The button is a round disc that is rotated to the left and determines the acting dealer at the table. 

The first two players sitting at the left of the button act as ‘small blind’ and a ‘big blind’ to start the action. Then the betting rounds, like a preflop, flop, turn, and the river begins.

Step 2: The blinds

Before the new game begins, two players from the table are required to raise the small and big blinds. The blind means the forced bets that will begin the wagering. 

If you are in a poker tournament, you will notice that blinds are raised at regular intervals. In a cash game, the blinds remain the same. 

The small blind is generally half the bigger blind. As the number of players decreases, the blinds must keep increasing throughout the tournament.

Step 3: First betting round - Preflop

This round takes place right after the two-hole cards are there. The first player that acts is to the left of the big blind. 

The first player has three options to choose from - call, raise or fold, and this position is known as ‘Under the Gun’.

  • The call means the player will match the amount of the big blind.
  • The raise means the player will increase the bet within the limits of the game.
  • The fold means throwing away the card and getting out of the game.

Once, the last bet is up, this round is over and we move to the next round called ‘The Flop’.

Step 4: Second betting round - The flop

During this round, the first three community cards are dealt and the player sitting left to the button starts the game. 

Along with the option to call, bet, fold, and raise, the players also get an option to “check”. A ‘check’ means passing the action to the next active player. 

The betting continues until the last bet or raise is called.

Step 5: Third betting round - The turn

The fourth community card, called “the turn” is dealt face-up. Players can check, bet, call, fold or raise. 

Once, it is done, the game continues and calls for a final betting round.

Step 6: Final betting round - The river

Following all betting action on the Turn, the fifth community card is dealt face-up. In the same manner as the previous street of play, a new round of betting begins.

Once again, the players can check, bet, call, fold, or raise. 

Upon completion of all betting action, the remaining players with hole cards in their hands reveal their holdings. It is called the showdown.

Step 7: - The showdown

At this stage, all the remaining players reveal their cards, and a winning hand is determined. The player with the best five combinations of cards wins the pot. 

Hand rankings in Texas Holdem poker

Poker hand rankings will help you determine the strength of your hand and what action you should take. Here is the list of hand rankings in poker:

  • Royal Flush: This is the highest-ranking hand and consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit.
  • Straight Flush: This hand includes any 5 cards of the same suit in numerical order.
  • Four of a Kind: The hand with four cards of the same rank.
  • Full House: The hand with three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
  • Flush: This hand contains five cards of the same suit.
  • Straight: The hand with five cards in numerical order, regardless of the suit.
  • Three of a Kind: This hand contains three cards of the same rank.
  • Two Pair: This hand contains two different pairs
  • Pair: The hand with two cards of the same rank.
  • High Card: This is the lowest-ranking hand and is used when no other hand combinations are present. The player with the highest card in the hand is declared winner.

How Pot Limit Omaha is different from Texas Holdem?

Here are four key differences in both versions of the poker game:

Number and usage of pocket cards

In Texas Holdem, you will get two-hole cards, and in Omaha, you will receive four-hole cards. 

You will have to use either one or both the hole cards with community cards in Texas Hold ’em and in Omaha, you use two hole cards out of four with three community cards to make poker hands. 

Comparative hand strength 

Due to the four-hole card nature of PLO, players often need stronger hands to win pots compared to Texas Holdem, where only two-hole cards are used. In Texas Holdem, a pair or two pairs can win. 

Bluff and draw 

It is challenging to bluff in Omaha as there are more hands than in Texas Poker. Hence, it is more of a drawing game as players are less likely to fold.

Betting structure

Texas Holdem commonly utilizes a no-limit betting structure, allowing players to bet any amount at any time. 

In contrast, Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) typically employs a pot-limit betting structure, where bets can be made up to the total size of the pot.

Frequently asked questions

Is Poker and Texas Holdem the same game?

No. Poker and Texas Holdem are not the same game. Texas Holdem is a variant of Poker, specifically a community card game. 

Poker encompasses a broader category of card games that includes various types such as Texas Holdem.

What are the rules of Texas Holdem?

In Texas Holdem, each player is dealt two hole cards, followed by five community cards dealt face-up in three stages. 

Players aim to make the best five-card poker hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards.

Can I play Texas Holdem online?

Yes, you can play Texas Holdem online. There are various platforms available, such as Adda52, Zynga Poker, WSOP Poker, and Cardzmania, where you can enjoy Texas Holdem games.

Conclusion

Texas Holdem Poker offers a captivating blend of strategy, psychology, and excitement. With its simple yet dynamic gameplay, it's essential to master key strategies like folding weak hands. 

As you delve into the world of Texas Holdem, understanding its strategies becomes crucial for success. 

Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or a seasoned player honing your skills, Texas Holdem poker promises an engaging and rewarding experience. 

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