Texas Hold Em
Texas Hold Em is a poker game made famous by the World Series of Poker Tournament that has been featured on ESPN and later promoted by a variety of online poker sites. It’s a millionaire maker, and in fact, one of the early winners when it first came on TV was Chris Moneymaker.
Since then, Texas Hold Em has been played in many household table games, online poker games, and casinos. It’s easy to understand, especially since it’s on TV, and with no limit games, it’s easy to make a ton of cash if you know what you’re doing.
To start a Texas Hold Em game, the dealer goes round the table, giving each player two cards, face down. This is called the pre-flop, and it’s where players get a chance to bet before the dealer does what’s next, which is three cards to himself, face up. From here, more betting until it’s time for the turn, where the dealer with add one more card, face up. Next, more betting until the river, where the dealer burns and turns once more. Lastly, the showdown occurs, and the pot is given to the winner.
During each round of Texas Hold Em betting, the lead better will get a chance to check, bet, or fold, followed by the next player, until everyone has either called, checked, or folded.
Hands are evaluated based on standard poker score charts, which makes this game an easy one to learn once you’ve played it a few times.
Most Texas Hold Em games are either limit, or no limit, where players can either raise to the big blind, or raise as much as they have. Obviously, no limit games are much higher risk, but they can offer higher payouts to the skilled player.
In casinos, you’ll probably find games starting between a few dollars per hand and a few thousand per hand, but in online poker rooms you’ll see them going for as little as 2 cents.
The best way to learn Texas Hold Em is to play casually with friends, or for free online, until you’ve got a handle on the basics. Then, if you want to test your skills in money games, you can do so.
Some of the best Texas Hold Em players earn six and seven figure wages per year, just playing poker. Even amateur players can make a modest salary if they’re willing to put in the time, just like you would at any other type of job.
October 15 2010 03:55 pm | Play Poker