Make Sure You Know The Texas Hold'em Rules

The Preflop: Starting with the player that has the dealer button, each person is dealt one card. Then a second one. Both of the cards must be face down. After every player receives his pocket/hole cards (the name of these two first cards), then the betting occurs. Note: the dealer button is really a button that says "Dealer" or "D" which is passed from one player to the next after each hand. The player who is the dealer receives the pocket cards the last one in that hand.

The Flop: The dealer shows three cards in the middle of the table, putting them face up. They are called the community cards that can be used by each player to create the best hand possible out of. Once again the betting occurs.

The Turn: The dealer turns over a fourth community card. This fourth card is called "the turn" or sometimes "fourth street". Betting occurs again.

The River: The dealer turns over the fifth and last community card. This is called "the river" or "fifth street". Betting occurs for the last time.

The Showdown: The players still playing the hand show their cards in order, starting with the person who had the first bet. Each player uses his two cards and the five community cards to create the best hand (5 cards total). A player can use any combination of the seven cards, so even if one card from his pocket cards and four of the community ones creates the best hand. When all five of the cards in the community make the best hand then all the players split the pot.

In any time during the game a player can fold and get out of the hand. All his betting is lost.

The cards are ranked with the Ace the highest card, followed by the King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine and so on down to the Two, known as a Deuce. The Ace can also play below a Deuce for straights.

1. The best possible hand is the Straight Flush: five consecutive cards of the same suit. ("Suits" are diamonds, spades, hearts and clubs) The highest possible straight flush is the Royal Flush. A Royal Flush is made of Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of the same suit.

2. Four of a Kind. Four cards of the same rank, for example four tens, plus any fifth card. As always, higher ranks are better - four Eights would beat four Deuces.

3. Full House. Three cards of the same rank, with a pair of another rank. For example, AAA99. The higher ranking three cards determine which full house beats another - 777AA beats 44499.

4. Flush. Five cards of the same suit. For example, the Queen, Ten, Nine, Six and Three of diamonds. When flushes are compared, they are ranked from the top card on down. A8432 defeats KQJ52, while a AK987 flush defeats a AK983 one. If two flushes have exactly the same cards, like J8652 of diamonds versus J8652 of spades, this is a tie and the pot will be split.

5. Straight. Five consecutive cards of different suits. For example, 65432. When two straights are made, the winner is determined by the highest card - JT987 defeats 65432. An Ace can be used to make either a straight of AKQJT (“Broadway�)or a straight of 5432A(“wheel�). "Around the corner" straights like 32AKQ are not allowed.

6. Three of a Kind. Three cards of the same rank, like 333 with two unpaired cards. A higher ranked three of a kind wins to a lower ranked three of a kind - 66652 beats 22263. In flop games it is possible for both players to have the same three of a kind, in which case the two unrelated "kicker" cards would determine the winner – AAA42 defeats AAAT6. If the two hands are the same, the pot is split.

7. Two Pair. Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank and a kicker of a third rank. For example 88552. AAJJ3 defeats TT994. JJ554 defeats JJ44A. 9966A defeats 99665. Two hands of the same ranks split the pot.

8. One Pair. Two cards of the same rank, and three unrelated cards. For example, 99KQ4. A higher pair defeats a lower pair. When two players have the same pair, the "kicker" cards are valued in order, so 99KQ4 defeats 99JT6.

9. No Pair, High Card. A hand with none of the above characteristics. When no pair hands are compared, the highest card determines the winner, so KJ762 defeats KJ753.

Once you're happy with the Hold'em rules, discover the value of Texas Hold'em Hands

Author: EzineArticles - Carl Walker

Category

Million Dollar Poker Guide ... Bringing Together The Best Poker Strategy Articles, Guides, Site Reviews, Bonuses & Resources