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Step 1
The first thing you will learn about how to play Texas hold ’em is that before any cards are dealt each hand starts with a “small blind” and “big blind”. The small blind sits on the left hand side of the dealer (shown by the “button”) and the big blind sits to the left of the small blind. These are known as “forced bets”.
Every player in the hand has to at least call the big blind but they can “raise” or “fold”. The dealer button moves clockwise around the table, giving each player a turn being the dealer, small blind and big blind positions. -
Step 2
The next step in learning how to play Texas Hold ’em is the dealer deals each player two cards, face down. These are called the "hole cards." Each player looks at their hand, then they have a choice to fold, call the blinds, or raise the blinds. “Fold” is where the player gives their cards back to the dealer and no long play in that hand.
Calling the blinds, also known as, "limping in" is simply putting in the same amount of chips into the pot equal to the amount of the big blind. “Raise” means that you are betting more than the original bet. There is a rule to raising the big blind - you have to raise at least double the amount. If another player re-raises, it also must be at least twice as much. The betting rules vary depending upon whether the particular game is Limit, Pot Limit or No Limit. -
Step 3
Learning how to play Texas Hold ’em is pretty easy in comparison with other types of poker games. Once the betting is done, the dealer deals three community cards face up, called the "flop". The community cards are for all players to use to make the best five card hand.
Players can fold, bet (the minimum must be the amount of the big blind), or raise a bet made by another player. They can also "check", signaled by tapping the table, to say they are not folding but no bet is being made. -
Step 4
The dealer deals another community card, face up, known as the "turn" or “fourth street”. Another round of betting happens and players can fold, check, bet, or raise a bet if they want.
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Step 5
The last step in learning the rules of how to play Texas Hold ’em is the dealer flips over the last community card is known as the "river" or “fifth street”. There is a final round of betting. The players can either show their hand or "muck" it - which means even though they have called the final bet they fold their hand instead of showing if they know they have lost the hand. The best five card hand using any combination of the five community cards and two hole cards wins.
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Step 6
Gambling is illegal in most states. To play Texax Hold 'em legally with money, you’ll have to go to a place where it is legal like Vegas, Biloxi, New Orleans, etc. You can learn how to play Texas Hold ’em at home, online, or at one of the casinos where gambling is legal. Winning at the game takes patience, control, skill - and of course luck.
While you're here be sure to take a look around and check out more tips and information on how to play Texas Hold 'em.
