The Basic Rules of Hold'Em
How to Start Playing Poker
If you’re interested in getting started in playing poker and perhaps, winning some money, then the first thing you need to know are the rules of the game. Once you have a handle on these basic concepts, you’ll be ready to start playing poker.
Blinds & The Order of Play
The dealer will begin play by passing out cards to everyone that is playing. You will be given two cards with which to make a hand. These cards are just the beginning.
The two players to the dealer’s left are the small and big blind. These players have to place money into the pot before they see their cards to ensure there is something to be won, each and every hand. The big blind is the size of the minimum bet and the small blind is half that size. The first round of play begins with the player to the left of the big blind. Then play will continue to the left until everyone has had an opportunity to bet, check or fold.
Betting, Checking and Folding
When it is your turn to play, you have a decision to make. You can either make a bet, check or fold.
Betting means that you place money into the pot, attempting to either force other players out of the hand, winning outright, or in order to get others to call your bet for a bigger payoff down the line. If someone else bets ahead of you, you can meet that bet, or bet more money (called a raise), depending on what you would like to do.
Checking means that you take no action, waiting to see what other players do first. Note that you need to meet the minimum bet (as decided by either the big blind or another better) in order to play at all.
Finally you can fold, throwing your cards away and getting out of the pot. This can be done right at the beginning of the round, because you really don’t like the look of your cards, or later on, when you feel that you cannot win the hand.
“Flop,” “Turn” & “River”
Once the betting has begun and everyone has had a turn to bet, meet a bet, check or fold, the “Flop” will occur. The dealer will put down 3 cards and this constitutes the “Flop.” There will now be another round of betting, based on the additional information the “Flop” has provided. The “Flop” can change a great deal of things in a hand of poker. 3 cards can make a great deal of difference.
After this round of betting, the “Turn” will be dealt. This is another card to mix things up. Again, this card can change things dramatically.
Finally, after one more round of betting, the “River” will be dealt. This is the last card, making a total of 5 cards facing up on the table. Players can now make a final round of betting and if there are players still left in the pot, a showdown occurs and a winner will be named.
That’s just one round of play. There can be hundreds in a game, or just a few. It all depends on the types of players that you’re up against. In any game, remember this – poker is a game of information. Everything you’re looking at is information that can be used. Using all that information in a way that benefits you is the key to winning big in Hold’Em Poker. Good luck!
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