Master The Rules Of Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em is the most played variant of Poker, especially the “no-limit” form, for which one can bet or raise without restriction. This is the basic rule of the World Series Of Poker (WSOP). As its name suggests, Texas Hold’em was born in Texas, and more specifically, in the city of Robstown. Appeared in the early 1900s, it spread to America in the 1960s. Long considered a dangerous game, it became popular in the 2000s, thanks in particular to the rise of online gaming sites and better supervision of the practice. In the past 20 years, many poker tournaments have experienced significant development (World Poker Tour, WSOP, European Poker Tour, etc.).

What Are The Basics Of Texas Hold’em Poker?

Hold’em is based on several simple essentials. Throughout the game, each player holds 2 hidden cards in hand. Subsequently, the dealer reveals 5 cards visible to everyone at first, then a 4th and a 5th over the course of the game.

Everyone can use their 2 private cards and the 5 community cards as they wish to form the best possible hand of 5 cards. The revelation of each card punctuates the game because it is followed by the bet of the players (and the abandonment of those who do not prefer to continue).

How Is A Game Of Hold’em?

The game always starts with the auction. Concretely, before a first hidden card is even dealt, two participants must bet blind: the designated people are those who are immediate to the left of the dealer, sometimes called a “button.” At this point, the small blind is the first bet, the smallest – followed by the big upper blind, usually double the small blind.

Each player receives 2 hole cards, which are not shown to the other participants. Following this, he can make several decisions: call (and bet the equivalent of the big blind), raise (bet double) or pass. The first player to start is always the one to the left of the big blind.

The game continues with the revelation of 3 cards common to the players, accessible to constitute their hand.

The active player to the left of the dealer begins, and the rest follow. The options for each are the same as during the preflop phase. However, if no one has bet a chip before him, a player can “check”: this means that he keeps his hand without adding new chips.

The last card accessible to all is revealed; it is the river. The players still actively continue their bets, and the game evolves according to the 5 cards now visible to all.

If there is more than one player left after the river’s betting round, the winner cannot be determined yet. The last person to bet or raise must be the first to show their cards. If no one has bet and if the players have simply followed, the participant to the left of the dealer must reveal his hand first.

Logically, the player with the best hand wins the pot. If two identical hands are identified, the pot is shared between the winners.

A new game can start. The dealer becomes the next player, clockwise (this is always done in Texas Hold’em Poker).

How To Win At Texas Hold’em Poker?

There is no secret to winning at Texas Hold’em Poker: you must naturally master the rules, but also present yourself as a fine strategist because bluffing is also part of the game. There are many strategies, and the best sometimes keep their tips for themselves, which generates a lot of curiosity.

Despite everything, it should be known that the tight-aggressive approach is very widespread in this universe, without one being able to affirm its effectiveness or its ineffectiveness. Concretely, it is necessary to place oneself on a few hands (from where the term “tight”), but to bet and raise frequently (aggressiveness). A solution that can be tested at first, but which deserves to be compared with other practices, because it is by playing more often that we develop the best methods.