Basic Poker Strategy for Texas Holdem

Limit Texas Holdem Versus No Limit Texas Holdem

Playing Heads Up Texas Holdem

Texas Holdem Starting Hands

Playing the Blinds

Texas Holdem Shorthanded Games

Playing Aces

Playing Big Slick

In Texas Holdem poker, the first two cards for each player are dealt face down. To ensure action on every hand, the game uses a "dealer button." At the beginning of the Texas Holdem game, the dealer gives each player a card face up. The highest card is then known as the dealer and has what is called the “button” placed in front of him. The person to the left of the dealer becomes what is known as the "little blind." He has a forced bet of one small bet (depending upon the limit) placed in front of him. The next person becomes the "big blind." That person must put twice the amount in front of them. For example a $2-$4 game would see blinds of $2 and $4 respectively. This happens before any cards are dealt to the players.

After the forced blinds are put into the pot, the dealer gives everyone two cards, one at a time, starting with the person who had to put in the small blind. Two people are already in action, so the person next to the big blind must decide whether to fold, to call (that would be a bet equal to the big blind) or to raise. Each other player has the same options, and also has the option of re-raising. When the betting gets back to the small blind, that player must either match the highest bet, fold or re-raise. And then the big blind has the option of calling the biggest bet, raise, fold or check (not doing anything and letting their bet stand if no player has raised the pot).

Once the first round of betting is complete the dealer turns over three cards in the middle of the table known as the "flop," and these cards are known as community cards that all players can use. Another round of betting now occurs. After all of the betting action on the flop is completed the dealer turns another card face up and positions it is called the "turn" or “fourth street.” Now another round of betting takes place. After this round of betting is complete the dealer puts out a fifth card known as the "river" or “fifth street.” A final round of betting then occurs. After the final round of betting the best five-card poker hand of the remaining players wins the pot. That is Texas Holdem poker.