let's dive into the how-to of no-limit Texas hold'em poker
Strategies and shortcuts for poker players, all in one guide
Get your cards dealt, 'cause we're diving deep into the game of no-limit Texas hold'em, the most popular variant of poker out there! This guide will have you up and running with the rules, betting, blinds, and even the showdown in no time.
Holiday to the Four Phases of a Texas Hold'em Hand
Get ready to hang tight as each hand of Texas hold'em can be broken down into four exciting stages:
Stage 1: Preflop
Every player gets 2 secret cards, also known as your 'hole cards.' These babies are yours and yours alone to use in creating the best poker hand you can!
Stage 2: The flop
The dealer spills 3 cards out in the middle of the table for everyone to see. These cards, called the 'community cards,' can be used by everyone to craft their best hand.
Stage 3: The Turn
Another card comes out into the middle for all the players to use. Now, there are 4 community cards to work with.
Stage 4: The river
A final card magically appears, and guess what? Yep, you got it! It's another community card you can use. Now, there are 5 cards in the middle for players to use (your 2 hole cards and 3 community cards) in creating their best 5-card poker hand.
The Rhythm of Betting Rounds
Ready to feel like a poker pro? There's a betting round at each stage. During a betting round, players take turns deciding how much they want to put down. If a player before you has bet, you must either call, raise, or fold if you wish to continue. If not, you can check, which means betting nothing.
The Small Blind and the Big Blind
These are small, mandatory bets players must put in before the hand starts. The player to the immediate left of the dealer puts in the small blind, and the player to their left puts in the big blind. The rest of the players must then call or raise these bets to stay in the game, or fold.
The size of the blinds dictates the stakes you're playing. For example, if the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2, the game may be referred to as a $1/2 game, and the standard buy-in could be around $200.
Time for the Showdown - and the Winner Takes All
Players may fold at any time, but if a hand does make it all the way to the end and more than one player remains, they must show their cards (the 'showdown'). The player with the best 5-card poker hand wins the pot.
If you wanna win big, check out our poker hands cheat sheet to learn which hands are the strongest, and our poker starting hands cheat sheet for a quick guide on which hands are worth raising with and which should be folded.
Want more? Visit our extended poker rules or our Texas hold'em rules for a deep dive into the details of the game! And remember, the key to poker is having a good time and enjoying the ride!
Venture into these stages of Texas Hold'em poker hands: Preflop, The flop, The Turn, and The river. At each stage, engage in a betting round, where you'll choose to call, raise, or fold, or opt to check if no one has bet yet. To compete in casino games like poker, familiarize yourself with the small blind and big blind, mandatory bets placed before the game starts. To elevate your game, consult our 'poker hands cheat sheet' and 'poker starting hands cheat sheet' for insights into the strongest hands and perfect starting combinations. Immerse yourself in our 'extended poker rules' or 'Texas hold'em rules' for a comprehensive guide on the intricate nuances of this exciting casino-gambling activity.
