Texas Holdem Poker

Last Modified Oct 01, 2018 15:03 IST

Texas Hold'em is said to be the most popular form of Poker across the world. However, this game can seem very confusing and complicated at the beginning for new players. In this version of poker, the game revolves around the dealer, irrespective of whether each person is dealing or you have a dedicated dealer like you have in a casino.


How to Play Texas Hold’em Poker


Texas Hold'em Poker might seem difficult but it is the easiest game of poker to learn. Usually, in this game, the dealer button moves one seat to the left of each hand and determines who acts first in each betting round. Every hand starts with two mandatory called blinds being posted by the players to the left of the dealer. The player directly to the left of the dealer is known as the small blind and player to the left of that is the big blind.


Next, comes the deal. The deal each player receives is two hole cards and the action begins on the player to the left of the big hand. This position is known as under the gun. Action always moves clockwise around the table and players have the option of folding, calling the big blind or rising.


Additionally, if no one raises when the action gets to the big blind they have the option of either to check or rise. If more than one player is still in the hand, after this round the dealer deals the flop three of the five community cards. When you deal the flop, remember to burn one card face-down before dealing the three community cards face-up in the middle of the table.


In another betting round, the action starts on the player to the left of the dealer. Players now have the option of checking or betting. The dealer then burns one more card and deals two for the community, the card known as the turn. Another round of betting follows before the dealer puts down the final community card and is known as the river.


A final round of betting follows the river and then comes the showdown. All players still in, turn up their hands and the pot is awarded to the player with the highest ranked hand.


Texas Hold'em Poker Tips


Here are some common mistakes players make in Texas Hold'em.

  • Too much bluffing
  • Focus on your cards
  • Betting with a mediocre hand
  • Slow playing too much
  • Checking to the better
  • Not wanting to get bluffed
  • Mood-related mistakes
  • Under betting the pot


Texas Hold'em Poker Hand Rankings


It is always played with one standard deck of 52 cards. The list of winning poker hands and their ranking is given below. This hand ranking applies to all kind of poker games including Texas Hold'em


  • The high Card
  • Pair
  • Three of a kind
  • Straight
  • Flush
  • Full house
  • Four of a kind
  • Straight flush
  • Royal flush


Cash-Game Strategy


  • Learn to Size Your Poker Bets Properly
  • Thinking in Ranges Drastically Improves Your Poker Game
  • Practice on how to Beat Micro-stakes Poker Cash Games
  • Learn Beat Zoom Poker on PokerStars
  • A Beginner's Guide to 3-Betting in Poker
  • Try to play hands in position post-flop
  • Raise to gain initiative
  • Balance your range