how do you play texas hold em?

Geezuz, I just scanned the first 3 answers and just had to shake my head. They sound like they're on Crack or something.

Let me try to explain the rules and not try to make it sound so convoluted.

Before each hand takes place, the 2 people immediately left of the dealer have to put up antes. These are called "blinds." (Don't ask me why, that's just what they're called.) The 2nd person from the dealer puts up what is called, "The big Blind" which is what everyone has to "call" to stay in the hand. The 1st person beside the dealer puts in "The small blind" which is half the amount of the big blind.

Each player (usually between 8-10 per table, especially online) is dealt two cards, face down. These are called "Hole cards." The betting then starts, starting with the person just left of the person who has posted the "Big blind." He/she can fold without penalty,or has to put in a bet which has to at least equal the size of the big blind.

The betting continues around the table until all bets are in. If all bets simply match the "Big blind." Then the person holding the big blind doesn't have to actually bet, as his bet has already been included before the hand started. He can simply "check" his hand, and then it's on to the next step.

After the first round of betting, the dealer then buries one card, and then flips 3 over onto the middle of the table. This is called "The flop." All players use these cards to add to their own hidden cards. Every card flipped over is called a "community card." as everyone gets to play with them.

Another round of betting ensues, starting with the person immediately left of the dealer, with each player using his 2 hole cards plus the 3 community cards. No one has to actually bet, and can "check" his hand to the next player.If someone puts out a bet (Which must at least match the original big blind) then everyone else in the hand is obligated to either match the bet, raise it, or fold.

After the betting ends, the dealer buries another card, and then flips a 4th community card. This is called "The turn." Another round of betting begins, the same way as before.

After that round of betting, the dealer buries yet another card, and then flips the 5th and last community card. This is called "The river." In which the final round of betting takes place.

It is up to the player to make the best 5 card poker hand out of the 7 cards available, and bet or fold accordingly.

Assuming you're playing in a "tournament" situation, the "Blinds" will increase as time goes on. This varies depending on what kind of tournament you've entered.

The most typical would look like this:

If you've been given a stack of chips worth $1,500 (This is a standard, whether you've joined the tournament for $5, $20 or $200, it doesn't matter, this is usually the amount of chips you're given to begin with) the big blind usually has to put up an ante of his chios worth usually $20. (The small blind puts up $10, half the amount, but must put up $10 more if he wants to continue in the hand)

The ante for the blind will usually increase every 15-20 minutes, depending on the tourney you'rer involved in. So that after that 20 minute period, the person with the big blind has to put in $30. (small blind always puts in half, in this case, $15)

After another 20 minutes or so, this will increase to $50. (Keep in mind, everyone who wants to stay in the hand must match the new limits. $50 in this instance)

The blinds will continue to increase until someone wins. By the time you get to a final table, the blinds could be well in excess of $30,000/$60,000 (small and big blinds) or perhaps even higher.

Strategy and patience are of the utmost importance in this game, and only experience is the best teacher.

Texas Hold-em is basically same as 7 card stud each player is dealt 2 cards in there hand then a series of 5 cards are laid face up in the middle first 2 then one at a time. at each card in the middle is laid down the players will either bid or pass if someone bids you must match there bid or fold. To win it depends what you have between the 2 cards in your hand and the 5 on the table. On value of cards it goes 1-Pair (2 cards of the same like 2 -10's, 2-pair, 3 of a kind, Straight ( 4,5,6,7,8)ect, Flush(5 cards all hearts or diamonds etc) Full House(3of one kind & 2 of another kind) , 4 of a kind, Straight Flush ( is a straight but all of the same kind) like 4,5,6,7,8 all hearts, Straight High Flush( A,K,Q,J,10 all of the same suit) The game can be played either with wild cards or no wild cards. Best place to go learn the game for fun is pogo.com its a free site online good graphics and all.

I agree with what Mel said - to a point. The blinds get their names from the fact that they are "blind" bets, that is, you are forced to bet on cards you have not seen. A few side notes. In a casino or card room, usually there is open play that is usually structured, in the sense that the small blind is half or a part of the big blind, and the big blind is subject to 3 raises. The bets before the flop and after the flop are usually 1/2 the amount allowed to bet on the turn and the river. So a 3-6 game of hold-em has a 1$ small blind and a 3$ big blind. The amounts bet before and after the flop would be in increments of 3$, and on the turn and river would be in increments of 6$. Likewise, a 4- 8 game wouild be bet in increments of 4$ before and after the flop with a 2$ small blind and a 4$ big blind, and 8$ on the turn and river. Another side note. The best book I have read on the subject pointed out that the object of any poker game is to win the most money. The object of a life worth living is to have the most fun without getting hurt.

It would take forever to explain all the rules for all the games so I'll just go over the basics of the game. Each player gets two cards and there is a round of betting, then the dealer puts out the turn and another round of betting is made, then the final card is 5th street and in the end you show the winner. Rules like half bets, overlap bets, side pots, bring in bets, single chips and button rules are very complex to explain. I would get a book called the professional dealers handbook, it is used by most dealers and has all rules and procedure of how to play and deal each game. good luck.

each player places an ante then dealed 2 cards you place bets then you lay a card out of play and then put 1 face up in the middle of the table do this 2 more times then you bet again you place another card out of play and place another in the center. place bets 1 more time lay 1 more card out of play and 1 more card in. the way you play is say you have a king in your hand and there is a king on the table you would have a pair of kings so basically that is everyones hand and 1 card can be used more than ounce if you have a pait of jacks and somone has a royal flush they can use the same jack for thier flush that you used for your pair if u have anymore qwestions just email me

Most times if the other player is betting out a lot and is trying to scare you then it is more likely that he is bluffing you. I get scared when they make value bets all the way down or they check raise you, Because they want you to pay them off or they are trapping you. I love it when i know they are on a flush draw and they have missed it, so on the river they put out a huge bet to try and push you out, i love calling players like that down. But nothing scares me at a poker table, if your scared of putting your money in the middle then you need to be playing something else.

The easiest way to learn is to watch it on TV. There are so many different Texas holdem shows on now.I think celebrity poker on the game show network explains it the best. Have Fun!!!!