How to Play Texas Hold'em Poker Like a Pro

Basic Tips and Betting Strategies for the New Hold'em Player

Nov 10, 2009 Deborah Read

Texas Hold'em poker has gained enormous popularity in recent years. The reason? Chris Moneymaker, an amateur, won the 2003 WSOP Championship on national TV.

People visit a casino for the chance to win money but choose poker because it is a game they can play against someone other than the house. Any amateur can learn to win as was so convincingly proven by Chris Moneymaker.

The World Series of Poker and Chris Moneymaker's Impact on the Game

Chris Moneymaker, an ordinary and unknown accountant with a mere three years experience, catapulted his way to the final table at the 2003 World Series of Poker "No Limit Hold'em Championship". He converted his forty dollar investment in an online WSOP Satellite Tournament where he won a seat to the WSOP in Las Vegas, which he parlayed into $2,500,000, beating many of the world's best players along the way.

Chris brought a new excitement to the game. He proved to the world that poker is not a game of chance; it's a game of skill, a skill anyone can learn. Once the basic mechanics of a poker game are learned, the opportunity of winning money can increase dramatically.

Understanding the Basic Terms of the Board

The board, made up of community cards for all players, consists of three stages for a total of five cards:

The Flop - the first three cards turned over as a group
The Turn - the fourth card (sometimes called 4th Street)
The River - the fifth card (sometimes called 5th Street)

Now, here's a look at some of the basic mechanics of the game for the beginning poker player.

Before the Flop and Playing Position in Pre-flop Betting

Texas Hold'em poker strategy for betting pre-flop is all about position, the players at the table and the hole cards you are dealt.

The hole cards (the two cards dealt each player to begin the round) are the only things that make a player's hand unique from the other players. It is primarily the strength of the hole cards and position that determines pre-flop betting. Cautionary note: Unless you’re a seasoned player, the best position isn’t enough to bet a bad hand before the flop.

What Does it Mean to be on The Button?

The dealer will indicate which players are responsible for the small and big blinds. They are positioned consecutively after the player on the button. The big blind establishes the minimum amount any player can bet.

The button describes the dealer position of a player at the table. It is the best position to be in. Before the flop, the button player will see all of the table action, with the exception of the small and big blinds, before having to make a decision of whether or not to call, raise or muck (throw away) the hand.

The player on the button can also take a chance on an unraised pot to see if the hand will be strengthened by the flop. If the hand is poor and the action is strong, the player on the button can easily fold.

What Does it Mean to be Under the Gun?

It follows that the worst position on the table is the first one to act, the player immediately after the big blind. Without any indication of the other player's intentions, the decision must be made whether or not to play the hand. A pair of aces makes the decision an easy one but a beginner might have a tougher time deciding with an unsuited J - 7.

A good rule of thumb is to ask one's self if the hand is good enough to call a raise; if not, it should go in the muck.

Betting After the Flop

To restate, the flop is the first three cards revealed after the initial round of betting. Remember that all cards on the board are community cards, so if a pair of aces come up, they belong to everyone. Learning to read the board with respect to what the other players may be holding is very important. A player should know about all possible hands that could be made with the community cards, not just the one dealt him. This is important for every player, not just for the beginner.

Another rule of thumb every new player should follow is to never, but never, bet into or call when a pair hits the board on the flop, unless that player has that card in his hand, making a set (three of a kind). If by chance the player flops the nuts (the best hand to be made with the flop), the player should check the hand. Always give someone else an opportunity to try and steal the pot. This poker strategy is called setting a trap.

Basic poker mechanics are a good starting point but need to be balanced with an understanding of how players think, when to pay attention and what can be learned from simply watching the action. Knowing basic card and betting strategies while understanding the emotional aspects of Texas Hold'em will help anyone to learn to play like a professional.