Texas Holdem

About the game

Texas Holdem is the most popular and by far the best game of poker. It can be played with as little as two players, up to ten players. The game is well-liked both in the US and abroad, due to its fast paced play and simple game rules. It is the main game in the World Porker Tour.

There is no definitive evidence as to where the game is from. Many agree, however, it originated in Texas. History says that in the early 1900's the earliest version of the game was played by people from a place called Robstown, Texas. It is said to have been introduced to Las Vegas during the 1900's by a few Texan gamblers and card players, the likes of which included Crandell Addington, Doyle Brunson and Amarillo Slim.

The game consists of four betting rounds. It is played with each player receiving two private cards face-down and five community cards face-up placed in the center of the table, to be shared by all the players. The player with the highest hand at the showdown wins the pot.

Texas Hold'em Rules

...this is the most popular game!

1. Before any cards are dealt to the players, the pot is formed through bets known as blind bets or ante.
   1. First player to the dealer's left puts the first blind bet called small blind.
   2. Second player to the dealer's left puts the second blind bet called big blind.
   3. The first blind bet is smaller then the second blind bet that's why we call them the small blind and the big blind.
   4. Since the bets are placed with out seeing the cards they are called blinds.
   5. According to poker rules, blinds are considered live bets and can be checked, called, raised or folded.
2. Each player is dealt two cards face-down called private cards. Face-down means no body else sees your cards except you.
3. The player left of the big blind makes the first bet starting the first betting round, where you can call, raise or fold.
4. Now three cards are dealt face-up placed in the center of the table starting the second betting round.
   1. Player left of the dealer bets first.
   2. These cards are called community cards, since they are available to all players.
   3. This round of betting is called the "Flop".
5. The fourth community card is dealt face-up in the center of the table starting the third betting round called the "Turn". In this round the betting amount doubles from the previous one.
6. The fifth and the final community card is dealt face-up in the center of the table to start the last betting round called the "River".
7. After the final round of betting it's time for the showdown and the player with the highest hand wins the pot. Where as identical hands split the pot.