Rules
The game
begins with each player being dealt two cards, both of
which remain face down. These two cards are the only
cards each individual player will receive. Because the
two cards will not be revealed until the showdown, Texas
Holdem is referred to
as a closed poker game. A first betting round occurs as
traditionally, beginning with the player to the left of
the dealer. The dealer deals three face-up "Community
Cards" called the "Flop." At that time, the second
betting round occurs, again beginning from the left of
the dealer. During Texas
Holdem, the three community cards will become
available for use by each player. After the second
betting round, a single community card called the "Turn"
is dealt. At that time the third betting round occurs
with players now using the four cards plus their own to
form the best hand. Then one final community card called
the River is dealt. The fourth and final round of
betting then takes place with a Showdown if necessary.
During the
Showdown, each player is permitted to construct the best
five-card hand he can possibly make using his two cards
and the five community cards. A player may use either or
both of his two downcards,
or none at all to form his five-card hand. Of course, if
the best five-card hand that can be made comes from the
five community cards, the player could be entitled to
split the pot with any others player still in if none of
the remaining players can play a better hand. Because
many players will wind up with closely-valued hands,
kickers often are needed to break ties. In Texas
Holdem,
straights often split
the pot while multiple flushes may occur. In this case,
the ranks of all of the cards in each flush must be
counted collectively and carefully to determine a
winner.
In casino
play, Texas Holdem is
often played with a fixed limit per round with the limit
for the third and fourth betting rounds often double
that of the first two rounds. In some instances, the
fourth round bet could be larger still. There are games
where the initial phase is again an ante up while in the
World Series championship event the game is played with
no betting limits.
Game
Strategy
Obviously, the
most important component of Texas Holdem
strategy is whether to play out your hand or fold early.
Here are some important points to consider:
Two Cards Form
a High Pair: If your two cards are a pair, especially if
from tens on up to aces, then you have an excellent
starting hand. In this case, even if all five cards on
the board prove not to help, it is possible you could
still win the hand simply by having the highest pair.
Two Cards Form
a Middle Pair: If your two cards form a mid to lower
pair, you likely will not win the hand without improving
it in some way through the community cards. If the game
is modest in its betting limits, then the advice is stay
in until the flop at least. However, if the game is
based on stiff betting steps then you may want to
consider an early fold. There are many possibilities
beyond the pairs so review straight and flush options
carefully.
Two Cards Are
Both High Cards: If your two cards are both high cards,
suited or unsuited, then again you should consider
playing at least until the flop. The flop could easily
provide you with a high pair and again the best pair on
the table. If the two cards are both suited high cards,
then consider hanging longer as a high card flush may
now be possible.
Two Cards Are
Both Suited: If your two cards are suited, be extremely
careful. Cards in close proximity numerically, a seven
of spades and eight of spades give two options as the
community cards are revealed, the flush and the
straight. However, a six and a ten of clubs should be
treated carefully, the gap is large and though a flush
is possible, a straight is less likely and other flushes
may emerge. Again, if betting is aggressive, you may
want to fold early if the two cards are of the same suit
but contain a large gap.
Once the
Flop Has Occurred
You should bet
or at least call if you have a four card flush or four
card straight. It is possible that everyone could fold
giving you the pot, or you may get that fifth card on
either of the next two turns.
If you don't
have a drawing hand, that is a hand that is strong but
can easily be improved on after the flop has occurred,
then fold.
If during the
flop, the community cards go against your high pairs,
perhaps providing a possible flush or straight, you
should consider folding, especially the betting is
aggressive.
Think
carefully when you hit either a flush or straight as the
community cards could give other players the same hand
conceptually but higher in ranking. Again, if there is
heavy betting, it is likely that someone else also has a
flush or straight.
Finally, if
you have 2 pair, or 3 of any kind after the flop, bet
aggressively to knock others of the potential for a
flush or straight. A bettor could be looking at two
suited cards in the community and one or two in their
hand, but an aggressive bet could prevent them
from hanging in. In this case the goal is to keep
players from potentially seeing cards that could
ultimately help them
but not be of assistance to you.
