The popularity of this poker game is bigger than all of Texas. The game of Texas hold em poker is played in casinos, Gentlemen’s clubs, and around kitchen tables all across the United States and in other countries.
Texas hold em is unlike many other games of poker because aside from the two cards each individual player begins with from the deck, five communal cards are placed on the table for all players to use.
A game of Texas hold em poker usually consists of from two to ten players, and the order in which players take turns placing bets is set from the outset of the game. The order typically starts with the first player to the left of the dealer and continues around to all players.
A game of Texas hold em begins with each player paying a set amount of upfront money known as an ante. In subsequent betting, more money is added to the opening ante, and thus becomes the “pot” or the “winnings” the winning player receives.
Next each player is dealt two cards that are dealt to them face down on the table. Each player looks at their cards and makes bets accordingly beginning with the first player to the left of the dealer.
Once these bets have been placed, the dealer removes the first card from the top of the deck and places it in “no play.” The dealer then deals the next three deck cards face up as communal cards for all players to use. Another round of betting now takes place. If a player doesn’t believe the hand they hold to be a winning hand they can fold or drop out of the game, forfeiting whatever money they have already put into the ante and pot. Play continues until all active players have placed a bet or folded. .
Another top card from the deck is placed in “no play” and the next card from the deck is added to the three already face up on the table. Another round of bluffing and betting follows and continues until all players have either bet or folded.
For the final round of Texas hold em play, the first card from the deck is again discarded and the next card from the deck joins the other four cards face up on the table. Bets are placed and then there is a “call” in which all players show their hands in order to select a winning hand.