Beginners Guide To Holdem

Texas holdem is a very popular card game. You will find this version of poker is played online more than any other variation of the game.

Learning the basics of holdem is relatively easy. Becoming a good holdem player takes time and patience. To excel and make money in the game study the more advanced strategies, which we cover in our 'Advanced strategy guides'.

So, let’s start with the basics.

The run of play

The best way to get to grips with the rules and play of the cards is on the practice tables. Without the risk of losing money it’s a great way of learning.

Each game must consist of two or more players and a dealer. As a beginner we would suggest playing a ring game with 7 – 10 players.

Each player is then dealt two cards.  After the first round of betting three cards are laid on the table.

 

These cards are known as the ‘flop’ and are counted as community cards. This means that any player on the table can use these cards as part of their final hand.

Next comes another round of betting, after this, one more card known as the ‘turn’ is laid on the table as part of the community cards.  

Another round of betting transpires and then the last community card known as the ‘river’ is laid. If you are still in the game at this point your final hand is a combination of the five best cards out of the five community cards and your own two cards.

Poker Hands

Here is a list of poker hands starting from the weakest to the best.

 

Highest Card	A58J9	more info
Pair	KK82Q	more info
2 Pair	9922Q	more info
3 of a kind	JJJ4K	more info
Straight	34567	more info
Flush	294QJ	more info
Full House	22299	more info
4 of a kind	KKKK8	more info
Straight Flush	34567	more info
Royal Flush	2JQKA	more info

 

 

 

Betting

Before the cards are dealt the player immediately left of the dealer must place a small bet called the ‘small blind’. The next player to the left must place a bet called the ‘big blind’. The small blind is half the size of the big blind. The size of the big blind determines the minimum bet through out the game.

The posting of the ‘blinds’ is required to stay in the game. After the first game the big blind moves on to the next player and the small blind moves on to the last player to post the big blind. The blind makes its way around the table, so every player makes a contribution at some point in the round.

This stops players waiting for premium hands before putting in any money.

Once the cards are dealt, the player immediately left of the big blind is first to act. They have three choices; fold, check or raise. If you decide your two cards are not worth playing, fold.

 

If you decide that your cards are worth playing, you can check or raise.

 

By checking, you match the big blind. So if the big blind is set at 50c, you will need to put down 50c to stay in the game.

If you decide to raise, each player after you including the small and big blind must match your bet to stay in the hand.

Once the first round of betting is over the dealer deals the turn card and another round of betting takes place.

 

This is also repeated after the river card is dealt. That is the final round of betting before the show down. At this point everyone still in the game shows their cards and the strongest hand wins the cash or ‘pot’. 

 

No Limit vs. Fixed Limit Holdem

There are 2 variations of betting in holdem, No Limit and fixed limit. The difference being that in No Limit, the amount you can raise by, in any one betting round is limited to the amount of money you have on the table. In fixed limit, the amount you can raise by is limited.