How to play Texas Holdem Poker - Expert Guide
Hone your poker skills with our beginner-friendly guide on how to play Texas Holdem poker. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned 247 poker enthusiast, revisiting the rules is a smart move. While there are various versions of this beloved card game, mastering one or two is sufficient to dive into online play.
What are the winnings hands in Texas Holdem poker?
As you engage in gameplay, you'll likely grasp poker hand rankings swiftly. Yet, for new players, it can be helpful to have our chart (poker cheat sheet) of the best poker hands handy to aid you when getting in your poker chips. This tool helps in making decisions while at the poker table like best poker hands, calling, raising your bet, or folding your hand.
Texas Holdem Best Poker Hands Explained
What is a straight in poker? - Best hand in poker! The highest hand without wild cards, formed by five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 of hearts.
Four of a Kind - The following highest hand, like four aces or four 3s.
Full House - A vibrant combination of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, like three 8s and two 4s.
Flush in poker - Five cards of the same suit, though not in sequence, like Q, 10, 7, 6, and 2 of clubs.
Poker straight - Five sequential cards, not necessarily of the same suit, like 9♥, 8♣, 7♠, 6♦, 5♥.
Three of a Kind - Featuring three cards of the same rank and the other two each of a different rank, such as three jacks, a seven, and a four.
Two Pairs - This hand holds a pair of one rank and another pair of a different rank, along with any fifth card of a different rank, such as Q, Q, 7, 7, 4.
One Pair - A common combination with just one pair, the other three cards being of different rank. For instance, 10, 10, K, 4, 3.
Worst hand in poker - No Pair - A prevalent hand with "nothing." None of the five cards pair up, and they are not all of the same suit or in consecutive rank. When multiple players have no pair, hands are ranked by the highest card each contains, with an ace-high hand beating a king-high hand, and so forth.
History: Although little is known about the invention of Texas hold 'em, the Texas Legislature officially recognizes Robstown, Texas, as the game's birthplace, dating it to the early 20th century.
Hold 'em was introduced to Las Vegas in 1963
Texas Holdem Poker - Object of the Game
Players take turns betting before and after each card is revealed. To continue in the hand and see the next card, all players must contribute an equal amount of chips to the pot. The pot is won by the player with the best poker hand.
Texas Holdem Poker - The Deal
Each player is dealt two cards, for their eyes only.
The dealer spreads five cards - three at once (The Flop), then another (The Turn), then another (The River) - which can be used by all players to make their best possible five-card hand.
Texas Holdem Poker - Playing the hand
Poker Terms
The Game - In 247 poker Hold'em, each player receives two private cards (hole cards), and five community cards are dealt face-up (the board). Players use their hole cards and the community cards to make the best five-card poker hand. Any combination of the seven cards may be used.
The Blinds - The dealer button indicates the dealer, and players post the small blind and big blind before the game. Betting starts with the player clockwise from the big blind. Blinds vary based on stakes. Players may also post an ante.
Player Betting Options - Players can fold, check, bet, call, or raise, depending on previous actions. The options available depend on the preceding players' actions.
Pre-Flop - After receiving hole cards, players can call or raise the big blind, starting from the left of the big blind. Betting proceeds clockwise.
The Flop - Three community cards (the flop) are dealt face-up. Betting begins with the player clockwise from the button.
The Turn - The fourth community card (the turn) is dealt face-up. Another betting round starts with the player clockwise from the button.
The River - The fifth and final community card (the river) is dealt face-up. Betting follows the same rules as the flop and turn.
The Showdown - If multiple players remain after the final betting round, the last to bet or raise reveals their cards. The player with the best five-card hand wins. In case of ties, the pot is split. Suits are equal. A new hand begins after the showdown.
What makes a good starting poker hand?
Grasping the strength of poker hands is crucial for improving your poker skills.
Engaging with cards that possess unfavorable poker odds is seldom a wise decision. Persisting in the round in an attempt to form a solid hand may likely deplete your bankroll. Enhance your prospects of success by utilizing the information provided below to identify which hands merit continuation and which are better off discarded.
Starting Hands
At the commencement of a hand, you're dealt only two cards, so ensure they're both robust. Playing with a formidable hand, especially for beginners, simplifies the pot strategy and minimizes the likelihood of encountering challenging scenarios. If you're aware that your hand is inferior, even if it's reasonably good, it's advisable to exit the hand – simplicity.
Even novice players can amass significant winnings in online micro and small-stake games by adopting a disciplined and straightforward approach. Engage in the hand if it's strong and the situation is favorable. If victory is improbable and the opponent won't fold, it's prudent to fold your hand and live to play another round.
So, what qualifies as a commendable starting hand?
Strong Hands
Clearly, strong pairs such as A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J, and 10-10 are deserving of a raise, especially when positioned late.
A-K, A-Q, and A-J, all suited, are additional instances of robust hands that warrant a pre-flop raise. These hands are also well-suited for executing Continuation Bets. For instance, if you've raised pre-flop and encounter a flop that doesn't significantly improve your hand (for instance, all three cards are below your highest card), initiating a bet can convey strength.
Medium Strength Hands
Following are the moderately strong hands, such as K-10, Q-10, and J-10, along with medium pairs like 9-9, 8-8, and 7-7. These hands can be suitable for raising, contingent on your position and the table's dynamics, but they can also be called in an assertive pre-flop betting round.
Marginal Strength Hands
Lastly, marginal hands like 2-2, 3-3, and A-9 are suitable for calling pre-flop, especially when in a late position.
Concealing your hand and potentially hitting trips (three of a kind) on the flop allows you to adopt an aggressive approach.
Online poker offers diverse table dynamics, and no two tables are identical.
Expanding your starting hand range to capitalize on weakness is an effective strategy on particularly tight tables. Nonetheless, for most beginners, playing a solid game with strong starting hands is advisable, even if it may seem a bit conservative initially.
Understanding Pot Odds
Playeing in a tournament or online poker with friends, pot odds represent the relationship between the current pot size and the cost of a call a player is contemplating. Essentially, pot odds serve as a tool to assist players in determining the wisdom of making a bet, considering the cards required to form a winning hand. Acquiring familiarity with pot odds is certainly beneficial as you delve into the realm of online poker.
1. Suppose you start a hand with a pair of fours. To achieve another 4, forming a set, the odds on the flop would be approximately 7.5 to 1. This calculation is based on the fact that there are only two required cards (2 out of 52), you already have two, and each of the other players holds two cards.
2. If your potential winnings from a bet won't exceed 7.5 to 1, it's not a favorable play; the 'pot odds' don't justify your call. For instance, if the pot contains $25, and you need to bet $5, your pot odds would be 5 to 1, which is insufficient to warrant the call.
3. Suppose you decide to call, and the flop, J-K-2, doesn't improve your hand. With fewer cards left to be revealed, your odds of hitting that 4 increase. Despite a post-flop escalation and an offer of approximately 10 to 1, exceeding your hand odds of about 9 to 1, you opt to make the call.
