Texas Hold 'Em Poker is more commonly known as 'Hold 'Em' poker and is one of the most popular games played in casinos, card rooms and online. At the basic level Hold 'Em is a high-card game where the player is dealt two cards which are known as the 'hole cards'. Five community cards are then dealt face up in three stages - the Flop, the Turn and the River. The idea is for the players to use their two dealt cards and these community cards to make the best possible five card poker hand. There are three kinds of Texas Hold 'Em game online which are: Limit Texas Hold; Pot-Limit Texas Hold 'Em and No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em, which relate to the wagering structure.
During the game as many as ten players can play at a time, and of course two is the minimum. There is a small disc on the table which is the dealer button - it represents the position of the theoretical dealer for each hand. When the hand is finished the button gets moved clockwise from player to player.
The Flop
Before round one the two players to the left of the button place forced wagers 'blinds' in order to start the pot, with the players immediately left of the button posting a small blind; a bet equal to half the value of the tables lower stake limit; while the player to the left of the small blind places a big blind wager; equal to the full value of the tables lower stake. The blinds are live bets and after they have been placed each player is dealt their two personal cards, the game going clockwise and each player offered the option of raising, folding or calling. Once the first round of betting is done, the first three community cards are dealt (The Flop).
The Turn
After the Flop the player sitting directly left of the button decides on their play, and the game continues clockwise. Players can only check if no bet has yet been made on a round, and the value of wagers begins at the lower level of the stake structure. When all players have taken action the fourth community card is added (the Turn).
The River
The fifth community card is added at the end of the third round which plays in the same way as the previous rounds but minimum bets are set to the upper limit of the table structure.
Now that the fifth and final community card has been dealt the final round commences, again by the first active players to the left of the button. Once more upper limit bets are used. Once all players have played their hand all those still participating expose their hole cards and the player with the best hand wins the pot.
Texas Hold 'Em Poker sounds quite simple in theory but it is one of the most challenging games of poker you can play. Each turn of the cards can lead to destruction or glory.
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