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Texas Holdem Rules

Here are the basics for playing Texas Holdem Poker, which is the most popular poker game. The basic principle it to use the 2 cards you were dealt along with the 5 community cards on the table to create the best hand.

Starting the Game

Someone will be designated the Dealer (which is usually determined by highest card). The dealer rotates clockwise after every hand. The person directly one seat to the left of the dealer will post a small bet (Small Blind) and the person two seats down will post a larger bet (Big Blind). These bets are known before hand and will be shown to you when you enter the table. The small blind is always half the big blind.

Each player will then be dealt 2 cards face down, these are called the hole cards. After everyone gets there hole cards, there will be a round of betting. The person to the left of the Big Blind will act first. You can now fold your hand, call the big blind (you must at least match big blind here to continue), or you can raise over the big blind.

The Flop

After the first round of betting has finished, the dealer will place 3 community cards(community cards can be used by everyone at the table) face up on the table, this is referred to as 'The Flop'. You now use your hole cards with the community cards to make a hand. This is where another round of betting occurs. Same rules apply here. If someone has raised the pot, you must at least match that raise to continue, you can raise the pot yourself, or if no one has raised, you can check the pot. Checking means that you aren't going to bet, you are essentially betting $0, allowing you to see the next card.

The Turn

When the first round of betting after the flop is finished, the dealer will place a 4th community card on the table, which is referred to as 'The Turn'. You now have your 2 hole cards and 4 community cards to create your hand. Another round of betting will take place, which will bring us to the final card.

The River

The 5th and final community card will be dealt after the third round of betting. This 5th community card is known as 'The River'. This is where you take your 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards to make the best hand possible. In texas holdem, you can use the best 5 card combination available, even if it is the 5 community cards. This mean you can use both your hole cards and 3 community cards, 1 hole card and 4 community cards, or all 5 community cards. After the river comes the last round of betting. When the bets are finished, the players must show their cards, starting with the last person to bet. If you see that you have been beaten, you can muck your cards. Mucking your cards basically means that you've been beaten and you've folded your cards. If you are the last person to bet and everyone folds, you have won the hand and do not have to show your cards.

Now those are the basic rules of Texas Holdem. There is a lot of strategy that goes into playing the game. You can read about strategy here. Another great way to learn is to play low stakes poker online. HandsofPoker.net recommends Carbon Poker as a great place to learn with blinds starting at .02/.04 cents. To learn more about Carbon Poker, Click here.