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Texas Hold em Poker Basics
Author: Stanley Majors

Texas Hold em Poker (also know as Holdem Poker) is a card game which you'll take a few minutes to learn but many years to master. As a beginner you'll want to learn the Texas Hold em Poker basics - the rules, hands rankings and types of texas hold em poker.

The absolute Texas hold em poker basics : The game is played with a standard 52 card deck and there may be a minimum of two or a maximum of ten players per game.

Players are dealt two cards each, which are used in addition to the 5 communal cards to create the best possible 5 card poker hand.

The dealer begins the game by dealing two cards to each player; this round is known as the ¡®Pre-Flop'. The two cards dealt by the poker dealer are placed face down on the table ¨C these cards are called the pocket or hole cards.

A round of betting occurs before the second round of cards is dealt. In this round the poker dealer places 3 cards face up on the poker table. This is known in Texas Hold em Poker games as the ¡®Flop'. Each player now has an opportunity to bet or check.

By ¡®checking' you are choosing not to bet but you still remain in the game, checking is only allowed if there have been no bets placed before your turn in that round.

In the third round, the dealer places another communal card face up on the table. At this time there are 4 communal cards on the table, as well as 2 hole or pocket cards per player. Considering the current choice of cards in their hand and those open on the table, the players again place their bets. This round is known as the ¡®Turn'.

In the final round before the ¡®Show-down', the dealer places the fifth and final communal card on the table, face up. And the players begin betting. This round is known as the ¡®River'.

After the River, the remaining players begin to show their hands. Players may use any combination of their two hole cards and 5 communal cards to create the best possible hand. You may even use all five communal cards to create the best hand.

It's best to play Texas Holdem Poker for free before playing for real. Spend a few minutes getting use to the game, you'll realize how simple and entertaining this game really is.

Play Free Online Texas Holdem Poker now ¨C it's a great way to learn the game!

Stanley Majors is an experienced online poker journalist who writes articles on a range of poker topics. You can read more on Texas Hold em Poker Basics. Plus find other articles at Texas Holdem Net, which provide useful and factual poker information and insight.