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Category: Hobbies & Recreation
Texas Hold'Em / Poker
Poker has grown in popularity over the past few years. So much so that it
is now regularly televised event on several cable stations.
The popularity of Poker -- and specifically Texas Hold'em -- stems from
the fact that Poker is so easy to learn. Beginners can comfortably start
playing Poker within minutes. That being said, there is a significant
amount of skill that can be learned over years of play.
This article discusses the rules for one popular version of Poker known as
Texas Hold'Em.
Poker Hands
Poker is based on 5 card hands. These hands are ranked in order of the
difficulty in achieving these specific combinations of cards.
Cards from a standard playing deck are numbered 2-10, J, Q, K, A, from
lowest to highest value. Each card also has one of four different
"suits" -- hearts (h), clubs (c), spades (s), diamonds (d).
Specific combinations of these cards represent the Poker Hands, and are
listed here in descending order of rank:
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Straight flush
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Consecutive #s, same suit
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Full House
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Three of one #, Two of another #
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Flush
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All the same suit
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Straight
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Consecutive #s
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Three of a kind
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Three cards of the same #
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Two Pair
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Two Pairs of cards with the same #
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Pair
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Single pair of cards with the same #
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Examples:
Straight: 2 3 4 5 6
Flush: 2c 5c 9c Ac Jc
Two Pair: 3 3 8 8 X
Three of a kind: 9 9 9 X X
X = any card
Texas Hold'Em Rules
The game usually involves a table of about 10 players. One player is
arbitrarily labeled the "dealer" (or "button"). Play starts to the left
of the "dealer", and continues in a clock-wise order.
After each hand, the "dealer" designation moves one position to the left.
So every player at the table has his fair share as "dealer". Note: in a
casino, there is a designated dealer who physically deals the cards... but
this naming convention remains to allow eveyone to have a fair turn in the
"dealer" position. The "dealer" position is advantageous because that
player is the last to act during betting. Everyone else must either bet
or fold before the "dealer" has to act.
First 2 Cards
Each player is dealt two cards face down. These are the player's private
cards and should not be shown to anyone else. Each player looks at their
cards and a round of betting ensues. As always, play stars to the left of
the dealer and each player can either "bet", "raise", or "fold" depending
on how strong they feel their cards are.
If a player "raises" by increasing the bet, then subsequent players must
either match that raise ("call") or fold (put down their cards). This
way, everyone still playing (ie. hasn't folded) has contributed an equal
amount of money to the "pot".
The Flop
Once the initial round of betting has finished, then three cards are dealt
from the deck face-up in the middle of the table. These three cards are
known as "The Flop" and represent community cards shared by everyone at
the table. At this point, each player has a 5 card hand composed of two
private cards and the three community cards.
Another round of betting/raising/folding ensues.
The Turn
After everyone has bet on The Flop, a 4th community card is dealt --
called "The Turn". Another round of betting ensues.
The River
After betting, a final community card is dealt -- called "The River". A
final round of betting ensues. And once this is complete, players reveal
their two private cards.
The player with the best possible hand out of their set of cards is the
winner and wins the money from the pot. If at any point during the
betting rounds described above, only one person remains betting, while all
other people have folded, then that one person wins the pot by default.
Blinds
One additional rule that helps keep the game moving is the concept of
"Blinds". The two players to the left of the dealer are known as the
small and big blinds, respectively. These two players must put money into
the pot before they see their first two cards (hence the name
"blind"). This is to make sure there is always someone who has
contributed to the pot so that there is always someone playing in each
hand.
The small blind has to bet 1/2 of the minimum bet at the table, while the
big blind has to bet equal to the minimum bet.
Playing Poker Online
That's it! The rules are very simple, so anyone can start playing right
away.
Since most people don't have casino's available to them, internet poker
has taken off considerably. With all forms on internet commerce, one
should be cautious. I personally recommend a site called PartyPoker,
since they are one of the most popular Poker sites around. They also
sponsor televised Poker tournaments which adds to their credibility.
If you're not eager to start betting with real money, PartyPoker also
offers free Poker games with Play-Money. It's free to signup and play.
Once you get comfortable enough to add money to your account, you can do
so easily. Again, spending any real money is not required, and you may
simply play for fun. That being said, if there is even the slightest
possibility that you will add money to your account, you should take
advantage of the following promotional links that they are offering:
Bonus: PartyPoker: 20% up to $100 Extra on First Deposit
or
Bonus: PartyPoker: $25 Extra on First Deposit
Good Luck!
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Submitted By
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PokerGuy |
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Description
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poker player |
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Web Page
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not
available |
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