Rules and Strategies

The rules of texas hold'em (today's more popular type of poker) are not hard to master especially once you have played a few hands. Once you learn these basic rules you should be ready to start playing your first hand. Firstly before a hand is dealt you have what is called a dealer button which moves from player to player with each hand. To the left of the dealer button you have the small blind which is equivilant to half the minimum bet. To the left of the small blind is the big blind which is equal to the minimum bet. These blinds ensure that no one is sitting on their hands and everyone is contributing to the pot. On top of the blinds you have what is called an ante which is a smaller amount that must be thrown into the pot but each player at the start of each hand.

Playing a hand/preflop

When playing the game each player will receive 2 cards face down, from there they can either put down the minumum bet, fold or raise their hand depending on how good they feel it is.

Flop

Once all bets are made the dealer will lay down the first 3 or 5 community cards face up known as the flop. This is followed by a second round of betting.

Turn

The fourth card layed down is called the "turn card". This again is followed by another round of betting. As long as 2 players remain the game will continue on to the next card.

River

The final card flipped over is known as the "river". This is where the game is won or lost and betting can continue.