Building Poker

How to play poker

How to Play Texas Hold ‘Em
Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular form of poker. It is great fun but can be confusing for beginners. This is why we are making it simple to learn how to play. Just follow these rules and soon you will be an expert at the game.

There are two ways to win at Texas Hold ‘Em. You can be the last one still in the game after all other players have quite the game (called folding). You can also win by being the person with the card with the highest numerical value.

Small and Big Blind
Before any cards are dealt, the dealer is selected, along with the small blind and the big blind. The small blind is the person sitting to the left of the dealer. They must make the first bet before any cards are dealt. This bet determines the amount of all future bets. The large blind is the person sitting to the left of the small blind. This person must make a bet that is twice the amount of the small blind. If the small blind is $3.00 than the big blind must be $6.00, etc. Each player must take a turn being the dealer, small blind and big blind. These duties get rotated to the player to the left after each hand.

The First Hand
The first hand is dealt after the blind bets are placed. Each player is dealt two cards face down (these are called pocket cards.) Betting begins with the player sitting next to the big blind. Each player must match the amount of the big blind in order to stay in the game. A player can also raise the amount of the bet but it must be twice the amount of the big blind. If the big blind is $6.00, then a raise must be $12.00. Usually only three raises are allowed per game. Any player not wanting to bet must fold (quite the hand). The player who made the small blind must make up the difference between the small blind and the big blind plus all raises if they want to stay in the game.

During round two the dealer places three cards face up in the middle of the table. This round is called the flop and the cards in the middle of the table are known as community cards. The player responsible for the small blind may either make a bet or pass (called a check). Each player has the opportunity to either raise or check. Players that have checked will get another opportunity to raise (this is called a check-raise). To stay in the game a player must call all bets and raises.

The Turn and River
Round three is known as the turn. The dealer exposes a fourth card to the community pile. The small blind must either make a bet or check. Each player that chooses to raise must double the amount of the last raise (for example raises would be $6.00, $12.00, $24.00).

Round four is the final round. A fifth card is exposed to the community pile (this fifth card is called the river). The winner is determined after round four.

If there is only one player remaining, that player is the winner. If there is more than one player, then there is a showdown. Each player shows their hands. The player with the card with largest numerical value wins the pot.

Read on to learn when to hold’em and when to fold’em!