How to Play Texas Hold 'Em Poker

Texas Hold 'Em, commonly referred to simply as Holdem, is perfects the most widely played variation of the game of poker. Due to the enormous popularity of televised poker tournaments, such as the World Poker Tour, most anyone is at least somewhat familiar with this game.

Texas Hold 'Em comes in three primary variations: Limit, Pot Limit and No Limit. Each requires a unique playing strategy that is different from the strategy of it's counterparts, but there is no doubt that No Limit Holdem is the king of the game.

No Limit Texas Hold 'Em is commonly referred to as the "Cadillac of Poker", meaning that of all the various versions of the game, this one is the absolute best. It is often said that the game takes a minute to learn but a lifetime to master. It would be difficult for a single article to help you master the intricate nuances of the game, but we can certainly help you with the minute to learn part.

Hand Rankings

Each player is dealt two cards in Texas Hold 'Em. These cards are then combined with five community cards to form the best possible five card poker hand. In other words, you pick the three community cards that are the best match for the two cards you are holding.

Hopefully these five cards combine to form a poker hand. The poker hand rankings for Texas Hold 'Em are, in order from highest to lowest:

Royal Flush - 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace all of the same suit.

Straight Flush - Any five consecutive cards, all of the same suit.

Four of a Kind - Four matching cards, such as all four aces

Flush - Any five cards of the same suit

Straight - Any five consecutive cards, regardless of what suit they are

Three of a Kind - Three matching cards, such as King, King, King

Two Pair - Any two pairs, such as a pair of Aces and a pair of Kings

Pair - Any pair

High Card - If no one has a hand, the highest card wins

Antes and Blinds

During each hand, two of the players have forced bets, known as "Blinds". These bets are in place to insure that there is always money in the pot, even if everyone folds.