TEXAS HOLD 'EM STRATEGY

This article serves as a mini-education offering strategies, rules and a brief outline of the game delivered in quick informational bites.

Currently, Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular card game played worldwide.

1) The dealer deals out two cards face down one at a time to each player.

2) After all players receive their two cards, there is a round of betting where players can either call, raise, or fold. Checking is not allowed on this round, (called blind betting).

3) The dealer then deals three cards face up in the center of the table called the ‘flop’.

Another round of betting begins.
4) There is fourth card placed face-up on the table followed by a betting round.

5) The fifth and final card is placed by the dealer face-up in the middle of the table, and this is the final round of betting.

6) Players choose their best five-card hand among seven cards. The winning hand is the highest poker hand.

Texas Hold ‘Em Lingo
7) Blind (Small blind/big blind): Forced bets that take the place of an ante. The person to the left of the dealer pays the small blind and the person after pays the big blind.

8) Board Cards: Cards in the middle of the table that are shared by all players.

9) Flop: First three cards that come out in Texas Hold ‘Em.

10) Turn: Fourth card that comes out in Texas Hold ‘Em, after the flop.

11) River: Fifth and final card that comes out in Texas Hold ‘Em, after the turn.

12) Position: The best position is held by the person who bets last and can survey the other players before making a decision. Therefore, the person who goes first is in the worst position.

Strategy:

13) Continue playing with strong starting cards if first two cards are two aces, two kings and/or two queens.

14) Other possible strong starting cards are A-K or A-Q suited.

15) Fold if you have a pair less than sevens.

16) Look for lower cards in the flop than the rank of your pair.

17) Strong hands with good possibilities require aggressive play by raising, and getting rid of players who could ‘draw-out’ (bad hands becoming good hands).

18) Only if you feel your hand has become second best do you fold.

19) ‘Marginal hands’ that may improve should only be played on the cheap, either by checking or nominal bet.

20) Holding a ‘lock hand’ likely to win, (e.g., full house), requires a strategy to keep as many players in the pot as long as possible to build your win.

21) A final word on bluffing - pick your times and players. It is easier to bluff against one player and easier against good players who respect the art as opposed to weak players who stay in the pot forever.

Gayle Mitchell is the author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, Ebooks, booklets & the Slots Trilogy.

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