Great Texas Holdem Tournaments

Rules of Texas Holdem

The Rules of Texas Holdem The rules of Texas Holdem are fairly simple. This article will not go into any strategy or tactics so please click here is that's what you looking for. We will first look at the betting structure and then on to the playing structure. Texas Holdem is played with blinds, a button is used that rotates around the table clockwise and that determines who has to place the blinds.

A blind is an ante that the players to the left of the button are forced to put in the pot. Lets say you are playing at a table and the stakes are $2/4, the player to the left of the button will be forced to put $1 (small blind) into the pot and the player to the left of him will be forced to put $2 (big blind) into the pot. The action (who's turn to bet it is) always goes to the person after the big blind. If that player folds it will go to the next player to the left of him.

After the blinds are placed each player is dealt two cards face down (hole cards). Players can look at these cards but cannot show or discuss their hands to other players. The action will go to the player to the left of the big blind. This player has three options; fold, call and raise. If the player wants to call he will place $2 into the pot. Each player will get a chance to call, raise and bet going clockwise around the table. Since the player in the small blind already has a $1 in the pot, if no one raises than he can either place $1 into the pot, fold or raise. The same goes for the big blind, if no one raises the blinds he can check since he already has his $2 in the pot and he can also raise.

The Flop

Three community cards dealt to the center of the table face up, this is called the flop. Each player will get a chance to bet, the action will start with the player to the left of the big blind. You can use any combination of the two cards in your hand and the community cards to make the best five card hand. By the end of the hand there will be a total of five community cards. You are not obligated to use either of your hole cards, for instance if the five community cards are all hearts and you are holding two spades, you will use the community cards to make a flush.

The Turn

The turn is the fourth community card, after it is dealt each player will be given a chance to bet.

The River

The river is the fifth and final community card. Each player will be given one last chance to bet. The player with the best five card hand will win the pot. The button will move one player to the left and a new hand will start. Breakdown of a hand

1. The big and small blinds are placed into the pot.
2. Each player is dealt two cards (hole cards).
3. Each player has a chance to bet.
4. Three community cards are placed face up in the center of the table.
5. Each player has a chance to bet.
6. The 4th community card (the turn) is placed in the center of the table.
7. Each player has a chance to bet.
8. The final community card (the flop) is placed in the center of the table.
9. Each player has a chance to bet.
10. The player with the best five card hand using any combination of his two hole cards and the five community cards wins the pot.