Updated on: August 7th, 2024
Do you want to know how to play Texas holdem poker? If so you’re in the right place. Texas holdem poker is the standard poker game. And if you are new to poker games this is the one you should learn first as it forms the basis for most other variations of this popular classic.
Texas holdem poker online or at a casino is a casino card game amongst and against other players. The game starts off with each player receiving two-hole cards. There’s a hidden and only seen by the player. A first round of betting begins which is then followed by additional shared community cards known as the flop. This is just a summary of how the game goes. Below we go into more detail and break down the game step-by-step for beginners.
For our more experienced readers who would just like to find the best online poker sites where they can play Texas hold them, we have you covered too. Below is a list of casinos that have a wide range of real money poker games.
Best Texas Holdem Poker Online Casinos 2023
Texas Holdem Poker Blinds and Rules
There are two compulsory bets in Texas the small blind and the big blind. Each of these are made by the first and second players to the left of the dealer. After that players bet according to the big blind and then according to the last bet raised. There maybe compulsory contributions required to create a pot, these are known as antes. No player may participate without putting down the ante. When you are learning how to play poker it is important to remember these basic rules.
If there are only two players left, the player with the dealer button bets the small blind leaving the other player to bet a big blind. The dealer only plays first before the flop is dealt. After the community cards are dealt out the dealer plays last.
Texas Holdem Poker Basics
The game starts off with players getting two hole cards and an initial set of three community cards. Afterwards there are betting rounds where players use strategy to outwit and outlast their opponents. The game starts off with each player receiving two-hole cards.
These hidden hole cards are only seen by the player. A first round of betting begins which is then followed by additional shared community cards known as the flop. This is just a summary of how the game goes. Below we go into more detail and break down the game step-by-step for beginners.
How Do You Deal Texas Holdem?
The most important thing to remember in playing a poker game like Texas hold them is that you are playing against the other players not the dealer like most other casino card games. Each player at the table takes turns to be the dealer and a dealer button is used to mark who the dealer is at any point.
- First each player gets to hidden hole cards.
- Next the two players left of the dealer start of the action by posting the small blind and then the big blind.
How to Play the Texas Holdem Poker Game
- Each player has two cards face down
- After the small and the big blind bets are made players must decide whether they will fold call or raise.
- If a player folds, they are out of the game and the next player must make a bet equal to the big blind or raise the bet
- In the event that the player calls, the betting round continues until all players have essentially bet the same amount of chips. The round then ends and all the money goes into the pot.
- Then the first three community cards known as the flop are dealt.
- After the flop is dealt players have the option to check. This allows players to stay in the game without committing more money.
- The minimum bet that can be placed at this stage is whatever the big blind was at the start of the game.
- Once all the players bets are equal though calling and/or raising the round ends
- A fourth card is added to the flop this card is known as the turn and bets can be placed
- If there is still more than one player after the bets which come after the turn, a fifth and final card known as the river is dealt
- At the river the remaining players may choose to bet again or check.
- After the bets or check players reveal their two hole cards and compare who has the best five card hand from their two hole cards and three from the flop
Texas Holdem Betting
To check means you are still in the game but you do not place an additional bet.
Call is to match the bet placed by the previous player
Raising is doubling the previous bet it is not simply adding more to the bet but strictly doubling.
- After the flop the round of betting continues in a clockwise motion until all the players have placed their bets.
- The next round of betting begins and a fourth card is added to the community cards.
- Again, the round of betting continues until all players have made a play either by checking folding calling or raising.
- Another additional card is added to the community cards and this card or round is known as the river.
- Another round of betting continues if they’re still players left until all players have made there are plays or actions.
- After this round provided that they still multiple players left at the table there is a showdown. This is where the players reveal their hole cards and combine them with the community cards to see who has the best hand. The player with the best hand win’s the pot.
Play Texas Hold’em Free
If you are not yet fully familiar with Texas holdem poker then playing Texas holdem free is your best bet. But can you play free Texas Hold’em and still win real money? Yes, you can. There are two ways you can enjoy a Texas holdem poker game for free. Firstly, you can do so through free Texas holdem practice demo games. Another way to play Texas Hold’em online free is through bonuses. The best online poker sites offer new and existing players regular bonuses and promotions to play games for free and still win real money.
Texas Hold’em Table
Why is it Texas Hold’em table important for beginners? That is because when you play Texas holdem poker online or at a land-based casino your position in relation to the dealer dictates how you play in the game. The compulsory bets in Texas holdem poker and most poker variations at decided according to your position at the table. The small and big blind are the compulsory beds which are played by the participants who are left of the dealer.
If you are playing Texas holdem poker online you may be wondering how the table is important. Well when you play online the virtual poker table has a dealer button placed in the position of where the delay would have been. Your player position is marked on the table. If it is a game of Texas holdem poker with friends, then their positions will be marked on the table as well. The two players who are seated left of the dealer button will post the small and big blind.
Tips on How to Win at Texas Holdem
When playing Texas holdem poker online you need to be clear on the hierarchy of the hands. This will help you to combine your hole cards and community cards in the best way possible. Texas Hold’em is a standard poker version on which other variants of the game our best. Therefore, if you know the Texas holdem poker hands you are well on your way to understanding most poker variations.
Texas Hold’em FAQs
How do you bet in Texas Holdem?
There are three main bets to understand in Texas Holdem:
- Call which is placing a bet equal to the one placed by the previous player
- To check means you are still in the game but you do not place an additional bet. This only applies after the first round of betting
- Raise which means to increase the bet placed by the previous player
How much money do you start with in Texas Holdem?
Every game of Texas Holdem starts with a compulsory ante to seed the pot and this varies from table to table.
What is the flop?
The flop is the set of the first three community cards.
What is the most common winning hand in Texas Holdem?
The most common winning hand is a Royal Flush,
How do I play Texas Holdem?
- Each play gets two hole cards
- The first round of betting known as the pre-flop ensues each player will either check, call raise or fold.
- The first three community cards are then dealt
- The next round of betting follows
- Another card is added to the flop
- Another round of betting follows
- The fifth and final card of this added to the community cards this card is known as the river.
How many cards do you get in Texas Holdem?
You get two cards that are just yours then you make your hand using the community cards and both or just one of your two cards.
What’s the difference between Texas Hold’em and poker?
Texas Holdem is the standard poker game all the basic rules of poker apply to Texas Holdem.
Poker has a range of other variations with different rules.
Why is Texas Hold’em the most popular?
Play Texas Holdem online at any of the best online poker sites we recommend and find out.
Can you play Texas Holdem online for money?
Yes, you can play Texas Holdem online for money. Do so at a safe poker site such as the following:
- Bovegas
- Café Casino
- Lucky Red
- High Country Casino
- Irish Luck
- Sun Palace Casino
- Slots of Vegas
More Poker Game Guides
- Online Poker
- How to Play Poker
- Seven Card Stud
- Poker Bets
- Poker Pot Odds
- Mobile Poker
- 3 Card Poker Strategy
- Texas Holdem
- Omaha
- H.O.R.S.E Poker
- Caribbean Stud
- Razz Poker
- 2 Card Poker
- 3 Card Poker
- Poker Strategy
- 5 Card Draw
- Poker Tips
- What Is the Minimum Bet in Poker?
- How Many Times Do You Bet in Poker?