How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker: Texas Holdem Poker Game Rules & Hands

Introduction

Texas Holdem is one of the most popular poker variations. It is played worldwide in most cash games, tournaments, and home poker games. 

You must start from the basics 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 & tricks - everything you need to know about Texas Holdem Poker games.

Objective

This article 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 for mastering 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, 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 highly challenging if you play at higher levels.

Texas Holdem poker rules

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

• Each player receives 2 face-down cards, known as hole cards, from the dealer.

• Then, the dealer deals 5 face-up cards at the centre of the table in three stages over multiple betting rounds, known as the community cards.

• The three stages in which the community cards are dealt are:

1. Flop: The dealer deals with the first three community cards during the flop.
2. Turn: The dealer deals with the fourth community card during the turn.
3. River: The dealer deals with the fifth community card during the river.

• All the players use these community cards and their hole cards to make their best possible 5-card Texas Hold’em hand to win the pot.

• Players can form any combination to make their highest-ranking 5-card hand. They can combine their 2-hole cards with 3 community cards, use their 1-hole card with 4 community cards, or no hole cards at all.

• If the community cards on the table make the best five-card hand, players can keep their hole cards aside and play with them. 

• If all the players fold their cards and only one player is left, the remaining player wins the pot without going through a showdown.&

• This is why a player without holding strong hands can still win the pot by bluffing and making all their opponents fold their better hands.

• When two or more players reach the showdown after completing the last betting round, there is only one way to win the pot: by forming the highest-ranking 5-card hand.

How to play Texas Holdem?

If you are new to Texas Holdem, we are here to help you. You can learn about the different betting rounds and table positions featured in this game.

Step 1: The buttons

The button is a round disc 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 must raise the small and big blinds. The blind means the forced bets that will start the wagering. 

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: call, raise, or fold. 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, ‘The Flop’.

Step 4: Second betting round - The flop

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

Along with the options to call, bet, fold, and raise, players also get the option to “che"k.” A"che"  '" mea"', 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, “the turn”, is dealt face-up. Players can check, bet, call, fold or raise. 

Once 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 completing all betting action, the remaining players with hole cards 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.

Texas Holdem Poker Hands Ranking

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, which consists of 5 cards of the same suit ranging from ace to 10. For example, A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠.
• Straight Flush: This hand includes any five cards of the same suit in numerical order. For example, J♦ 10♦ 9♦ 8♦ 7♦.
• Four of a Kind: The hand with four cards of the same rank. For example, 10♦ 10♠ 10♥ 10♦ K♣.
• Full House: The hand with three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, K♥ K♦ K♠ 6♣ 6♥.
• Flush: This hand contains five cards of the same suit. For example, K♥ J♥ 9♥ 5♥ 3♥.
• Straight: The hand with five cards in numerical order, regardless of the suit. For example, 7♥ 6♦ 5♣ 4♠ 3♦.
• Three of a Kind: This hand contains three cards of the same rank. For example, A♠ A♥ A♦ 9♣ 6♠.
• Two Pair: This hand contains two different pairs. For example, Q♣ Q♠ 10♥ 10♦ 7♣.
• Pair: The hand with two cards of the same rank. For example, J♠ J♦ 8♥ 6♣ 4♥.
• High Card: This is the lowest-ranking hand used when no other hand combinations are present. The player with the highest card in the hand is declared winner. For example, K♦ 10♣ 7♥ 5♠ 2♣. 

Texas Holdem Poker Hand Combination

To win poker, you should know the good and the bad starting hands. Here are some of the best poker starting hands:

• Pocket Aces: One of the best starting hands. However, you can still lose if community cards help your opponent make a better hand.
• Pocket Kings: Strong hand. The opponent can beat this with pocket Aces.
• Pocket Queens: Third-best starting hand but weaker than pocket Kings and Aces.
• Same suit Ace-King: With good community cards, you can win.
• Same Suite Ace-Queen: Potential for strong Royal Flush, straight, and high card.
• Pocket Jacks: A solid hand but can be beaten by pocket aces, queens, or kings.
• Same suit king-queen: You can win with the help of community cards.
• Same suite Ace-Jack: Strong hand with a possibility of Flush and straight.
• Offsuit Ace-King: Good hand but weaker than above mentioned.
• Pocket Tens: A strong hand, but it needs to be stronger. 

Tie-breakers and Kickers

A kicker is an extra card that can help in deciding the winner. When there is a tie, the player with the highest kicker wins.

How is Pot Limit Omaha 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; in Omaha, you will receive four-hole cards. 

In Texas Hold 'em, you must use either one or both of the hole cards with community cards 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 because 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.

Limit, No Limit, Pot Limit and Mixed Texas Hold'em

Here are the different types of pot limits:

• Limit: You cannot increase or decrease the betting amount as it is fixed.
• No Limit: You can bet any amount throughout the game.
• Pot Limit: The maximum betting amount is limited to the pot size.
• Mixed Texas Holdem: A game alternating between Limit, No limit, and pot limit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Poker and Texas Holdem the same game?

No. Poker and Texas Holdem are different games. Texas Holdem is a variant of Poker, specifically a community card game.

Poker encompasses a broader category of card games, including 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 and community cards.

Can I play Texas Holdem online?

Yes, you can play Texas Holdem online. Various platforms offer these games, such as Adda52, Zynga Poker, WSOP Poker, and Cardzmania.

Conclusion

Texas Holdem Poker offers a captivating blend of strategy, psychology, and excitement. With its simple yet dynamic gameplay, mastering key strategies like folding weak hands is essential. As you delve into Texas Holdem, understanding its strategies becomes crucial for success. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics or a seasoned player honing your skills, Texas Holdem promises an engaging and rewarding experience.