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Texas Hold'em

Beginner

The most popular poker variant worldwide and the main event at WSOP.

2-10 players
2-4 hours

Overview

Texas Hold'em is the most widely played poker game in the world. Each player receives two private cards (hole cards) and shares five community cards to make the best possible five-card poker hand. The game features four betting rounds and combines luck with skill in position play, hand reading, and pot odds calculation.

Difficulty Level:
Beginner

Texas Hold'em is rated as Beginner because it has simple rules that are easy to learn - you only get two cards, the betting structure is straightforward, and the community cards make it easy to see what's possible. This makes it the perfect entry point for new poker players. However, don't let the "Beginner" rating fool you...

How to Play

1

The Deal

Each player receives two private cards (hole cards) face down. These are the only cards each player has that are unique to them.

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2

Pre-Flop Betting

The first betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind. Players can call, raise, or fold based on their hole cards.

$ $ $ →
3

The Flop

Three community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. Another betting round follows, starting with the player to the left of the dealer button.

A♥ K♠ Q♦
4

The Turn

A fourth community card is dealt face up. Another betting round occurs with the same betting structure.

A♥ K♠ Q♦ + J♣
5

The River

The fifth and final community card is dealt face up. The final betting round takes place.

A♥ K♠ Q♦ J♣ + 10♥
6

The Showdown

If multiple players remain after the final betting round, they reveal their hands. The player with the best five-card hand (using any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards) wins the pot.

Board:
A♥ K♠ Q♦ J♣ 10♥
👤 Player 1 - Royal Flush 🏆
K♥ Q♥ + A♥ K♠ Q♦ J♣ 10♥
👤 Player 2 - Two Pair
K♣ Q♥ + A♥ K♠ Q♦ J♣ 10♥
👤 Player 3 - Ace High
9♠ 7♦ + A♥ K♠ Q♦ J♣ 10♥

Hand Rankings

Standard poker hand rankings apply (from highest to lowest):

1
Royal Flush
A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
2
Straight Flush
9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥
3
Four of a Kind
K♣ K♦ K♥ K♠ 3♦
4
Full House
Q♣ Q♦ Q♥ 7♠ 7♦
5
Flush
A♦ J♦ 8♦ 5♦ 3♦
6
Straight
10♣ 9♦ 8♥ 7♠ 6♣
7
Three of a Kind
J♥ J♠ J♦ 9♣ 4♦
8
Two Pair
K♠ K♦ 5♥ 5♣ 2♠
9
One Pair
A♣ A♦ 10♥ 7♠ 4♣
10
High Card
A♥ K♣ 10♦ 7♠ 3♣

Strategy Tips

  • Position Matters: Play more hands when you're in late position (button or cutoff) and fewer hands in early position. You have more information about your opponents' actions.
  • Starting Hand Selection: Be selective with your starting hands. Premium pairs (AA, KK, QQ) and strong ace-high combinations (AK, AQ) are always playable.
  • Pot Odds: Calculate whether the potential payoff justifies the cost of calling. Compare the size of the bet to the size of the pot.
  • Observe Opponents: Pay attention to betting patterns and tendencies. Tight players only play strong hands, while loose players play many hands.
  • Bluffing: Bluff strategically and sparingly. Your bluffs should tell a consistent story based on your previous betting actions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Playing too many hands, especially from early position
  • Limping instead of raising with strong hands
  • Calling too often without proper pot odds
  • Not adjusting strategy based on table dynamics
  • Overvaluing marginal hands like weak aces or small pairs
  • Failing to bet for value with strong hands
  • Not folding when clearly beaten

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