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Basic Rules | A Hand of Texas Hold'em | Limit Models | Beginners | Etiquette | Bonuses

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Calling the Cards

Watch Daniel Negreanu call the cards he needs for a straight flush to win the hand against Jerry Buss.

Online / Internet Poker

There are many different forms of poker that are played all over the world. From Poker Slot Machines found in casinos' to Omaha to Five Card Stud and to the current favorite Texas Hold'em. They can be played in brick and mortar casino's as well as online in the comfort of your own home. Texas Hold'em has become famous because of it's popularization on TV and because it is a easy game to play. However one should not become over confident to early because Texas Hold'em takes a lot of practice, patience, observation, dedication and an understanding of the card odds to master. If you are to become a Poker Professional you will need to master all these skills plus develop strategies of your own. There is also a difference to playing poker online and playing poker live. If you are playing live you can read the facial expressions and body language of your opponent for a tell to help you decide if they have a strong or weak hand or even if they are bluffing. Playing online is a bit different and you need to read your opponents tells by the manner in which they play. How do they bet, fold, raise, re-raise, react to other players etc. There is always some way to read your opponent and to try and fathom what strength of cards they have.

Texas Hold'em Basic Rules

• Number of Players - A game can be played with two to ten players.
• Cards - One 52 card deck excluding the Joker cards.
• Dealer Button - The dealer button is used to indicate which player is the dealer. The button also indicates that the two players to the left of the dealer who need to post the blind bets. After the completion of each hand the button will move one position to the left.
• Blinds - There are two types of Blind Bets in Texas Hold'em poker. The first player to the left of the dealer will place the Small Blind bet and the second player to the left of the dealer will place the Big Blind bet. The Small Blind is equal to half of the minimum table bet and the Big Blind is equal to the minimum table bet. The Blinds can increase in tournament games after certain time intervals have passed.
• Hole Cards - These are the first two cards dealt to each player and are dealt face down. These first two cards are also known as "pocket" cards and are not visible to the other players.
• The Flop - The Dealer deals three community cards, face up.
• The Turn - The fourth community card to be dealt, by the dealer, face up.
• The River - The fifth community card to be dealt, by the dealer, face up.

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A Hand of Texas Hold'em

First Round - Preflop
Once the blind bets have been posted the dealer will begin to deal each player their cards one card at a time in two clockwise rounds.

Each player studies their hole cards and decides if they should play or fold. The first round of betting occurs with the player to the left of the big blind player and continues in a clockwise direction around the table.

In this round each player must decide, when it is their turn, to fold (quit this game), call (meet the current bet), or raise. If all the players left in the round choose to call the bet, instead of raising, then the player who posted the big blind bet is the only player who has the option to check (stay in the game without calling or raising) their own blind bet.

Second Round - The Flop
The dealer deals the first three community cards, face up, onto the table. Players now use these three communal cards in conjunction with their two pocket cards to try figure out their potential hand and strength of hand in comparison to what they think the other other players may have.

Betting starts with first active player to the dealers left (does not matter if the dealer has folded) and continues as in the first round. However if the first player decides to check then all the other players have this option as well until a bet is made, then the next player would need to fold, call or raise.

Third Round - The Turn
The dealer deals the fourth community card after the second betting round has been completed. Players now have six cards to work with.

The third betting round is the same as the second with the exception that players may have to wager higher bets depending on the Texas Hold'em betting limit model they are using.

Fourth Round - The River
The dealer deals the fifth and final community card. There are now a total of seven cards for players to use and try and make the best possible five card hand.

Betting continues as in the previous round.

The Showdown
All players left in the hand show their cards beginning with the last player to bet. Players may choose to "muck" their hand at any stage during the showdown. The player with the best hand wins. If and when a player wins by default, ie. all other players have folded and they are the only remaining player, they have the option to show their cards or not.

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Betting Limit Models

There are three types of betting models in Texas Hold'em.

1. Limit-hold 'em - Bets and raises during the first two rounds of betting (pre-flop and flop) must be equal to the big blind; this amount is called the small bet. In the next two rounds of betting (turn and river), bets and raises must be equal to twice the big blind; this is called the big bet.
2. No-limit Hold 'em - This is the variation that is played at the World Series of Poker and other Hold 'em tournaments. Players may bet or raise any amount over the minimum raise up to all the chips the player has on the table (called an all-in bet). If someone wishes to re-raise, they must raise at least the amount of the previous raise.
3. Pot-limit Hold 'em - The maximum raise is the current size of the pot.
   

Some Advice for Beginners

• Your computer should not be more than five years old.
• The Operating System software and Anti Virus software should be up to date.
• A permanent internet connection. (Dial-up connections are not recommended).
• Choose a good reputable online poker room.
• Download and install the software.
• Sign-up giving your correct details. This is important if you ever wish to withdraw your winnings and also for depositing real money.
• You can only create one account with a particular poker room, so do it right first time.
• You must never have two accounts, for the same poker room, (you or a friend) running off the same computer. You will be banned.
• Play for free first to get comfortable with the software and with the game itself.
• Only progress to real money play when you feel confident enough to do so.

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Poker Etiquette

As in real life, a person with manners generally achieves a lot more than a rude, obnoxious person. A person with manners has respect for themselves and those around them. Respect is reciprocal, what you give is what you will receive in return. Unfortunately there are many online players who hide behind their computer screens and think it's okay to be rude and insulting to their fellow players. There is no excuse for being obnoxious. You should never retaliate against these players, instead ignore them completely. A rude person generally lacks confidence in themselves and this will reflect in their style of game. Use this to your advantage. Bite your lip now and you will be rewarded later.

• Watch your language, no profanity and offensive remarks.
• Control your Ego, long winded stories of your conquests can be very tiresome and distract you from your game.
• Don't argue, it is a waste of time, distracts you from your game and gets you no where.
• Stay relaxed and focused and enjoy the game.
• If you do get angry or upset, for what ever reason, rather sit out of the game for several hands so that you can calm down. Playing when you are angry, called Tilting, will negatively effect your game and your bankroll.

Poker Sign-up Bonuses

All poker sites offer sign-up bonuses in one form or the other. Some are small while others are enormous. The most important factor of a sign-up bonus is that it is not always immediately available, it has to do it's time in order to be set free into your account. The bigger the bonus the longer it takes to clear. You need to read the terms and conditions of a particular site to establish the requirements with regards to sign-up bonuses.

Tournament Play

If you enjoy online holdem, you have a lot to choose from. All the big poker sites offer both poker tournaments and cash games in Texas Holdem, so you will always be able to find a suitable game.

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