| The Game of Poker Back in 2004 poker was gaining a fast rise in popularity across the USA. It was estimated that 1 in 5 people were playing poker on a regular basis. This surge was attributed to the game of Texas Hold'em Poker. Popularity was further fuelled by online poker. Players entered free rolls in which they could win free entry into satellite poker games, playing for a place in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). A piece of poker history is that Texas Hold'em became popular from the 1'st World Series of Poker in 1970. The inaugural event at the famous Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas Nevada. The first WSOP was won by Crandell Addington a Texan poker player. He has placed 8 times in the top 10 World Series of Poker Main Event. A WSOP record that still stands unbeaten in 2007. Free Poker Tutor - Texas Hold'em All players are dealt 2 cards known as pocket cards, 5 cards are then dealt to the community table over the course of the 3 betting rounds. The five community cards sit in the middle of the table and are shared by all poker players in each game. Texas Hold'em is a fast paced and exciting game. The advantage of the 5 community cards is you can gauge what cards others maybe holding. The down side to this is that is makes it harder to play a poker bluff when playing Texas Hold'em. This is especially true when playing against a full table of poker players. Texas Hold'em Terminology Board - The community cards on the table. Blind Bet - This a forced bet made before any cards are dealt. A blind bet is similar to an Ante. It's made by the 2 players to the left of the dealer. The small blind is posted by the player to the dealers left. A big blind is posted by the player to the left of the small blind bet. Flop - First 3 community cards dealt. Hole Cards - The cards dealt to the player face down. Known also as the pocket cards. Turn - 4'th community card dealt. River - 5'th and final community card dealt. Button, Puck, Buck - The moving disc that identifies the dealer. The poker puck moves around the poker table in a clockwise direction. Texas Hold'em Poker Rules The object is to finish with the best possible poker hand and win the pot. Poker Chips - You must have enough chips to place your blind and bets in the game. Texas Hold'em Game Play Two players immediately left of the dealer post their blind bets. 2 pockets cards are dealt face down to each player. 1'st betting round, options are raise, bet or fold. 1 bet and 3 raises per player are only allowed in the first round. The only player who can check in the first round is the player who posted the big blind. The flop is then dealt, that is 3 community cards into the centre of the table. 2'd betting round, options are check, raise, fold or bet The turn card is dealt, this is the 4'th communal card. 3'rd betting round, options are check, bet, raise or fold. If 2 or more players are in the game the final river card is dealt into the community cards. The last round of betting, options are check, bet, raise or fold. The winner is decided on who has the best hand. This is achieved by using the 2 pockets cards & 3 of the community cards; 1 pocket card & 4 of the community cards; 0 pocket cards & all 5 community cards. If 2 or more players both have the same hands the pot is shared between these players.Texas Hold'em Poker Guide The rules are pretty basic and easy to learn. However playing the game of Texas Hold'em does require a certain level of skill. It pays to learn some basic poker techniques before rushing into a game if your a new poker player. The following poker tips should provide you with a basic poker game guide. Hold or Fold Probably the most important aspect of playing poker is knowing when to hold and when to fold. If you get a lousy hand it is wiser to fold than trying to jag a win. Discipline Again knowing what hand to play is paramount to your poker success. It also means having the knowledge to know when to fold throughout a game. Learning poker discipline is sometime hard for some people as they will always try to make a winning hand out of every set of pocket cards. Basically you have to realise that your not going to win every hand of poker. Read the Board Learn how to recognise the flow of the poker game. Work out early what your best potential hand is early on. If there is a chance of being beaten. Be cautious, don't underestimate the players around you. There is no point in chasing a dead hand, you'll only do your dough. Above all when playing poker enjoy yourself. Take your time and evaluate each hand and the possibilities and outcomes. Playing conservatively & with patience will prolong your poker bankroll. When you have a good hand don't rush in like a bull at a gate and raise your first bet round. Gauge the other players and bet accordingly. Making huge bets when you only have great hands is a sure fire way of flagging yourself and letting other players know you've got a hot hand. The key to a good poker game is keeping what you have secret. The more your able to camouflage your hand the more likely it will be that you'll be rewarded with more pots and entertainment whilst playing poker games. |