Texas hold’em is one of the most popular poker games around the world. The game is played using a regular deck of cards at the fifty-two cards without jokers. Texas hold’em requires a special game table and additional equipment. At one table, the game can be played from two to ten players.
The essence of the game is to get the pot by collecting the best poker combination of five community and two of your own cards (usually called pocket cards), or remaining the only participant in this draw.
Combinations
Texas hold’em is played with the usual poker combinations, with the exception of ACE-king. They are listed below in descending order of seniority:
- Royal Flush (Royal flush)
- Straight Flush (straight flush)
- Four of a Kind)
- Full House (full house)
- Flush, Straight)
- Three of a Kind)
- Two Pairs (two pairs)
- Pair (pair)
- High Card (highest card)
Comparison of combinations
Only five cards are used in the combination. The strength of the player’s other cards doesn’t matter.
For example, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 on the flop, and players have 8, 4, and 8, J. It’s a draw.
The suits of cards when comparing combinations by value during the game do not differ.
If the five highest cards forming the combination are shared by the players, then a draw is declared.
For example, 2, 2, 2, 2, and on the flop, and players have 10, 9, and 6, 5.
Also, a draw is declared if the highest combination is formed by community cards, and the highest cards of players who are not included in it are equal in strength.
For example, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6 on the flop, and players have 10, 8 and 10, 6.
Direct comparison of combinations of the same rank (pairs, Tris, straights, etc.) takes place according to the rules generally accepted in poker.
Types of bids
- Small blind) – a bet equal to half of the minimum bet determined by the table limit, which must be made by the player sitting clockwise behind the nominal dealer (the player on the button).
- The big blind) – a bet equal to the minimum bet determined by the table limit that the player sitting behind the player in the small blind position is required to make.
- Ante –this mandatory pre-bet is usually found during tournaments. It is done by all players before the start of each hand.
Game progress
During the game of Texas hold’em, a special marker called a button is used, which determines the nominal dealer in each individual round. If the game is played without a croupier, this player deals cards. The player sitting behind him in a clockwise direction must place the small blind before the hand starts, and the next player must place the big blind.
Pre-flop – after the blinds are placed, players receive two pocket cards each, followed by the first round of bidding. This round is called a preflop. The first player to make a decision is the player sitting after the big blind. He can fold, place a bet equal to the size of the big blind (call), raise the bet (raise). If one of the players raises the bet, his opponents can raise the bet again (re-raise). The game moves to the next stage when all remaining opponents in the game have equalized their bets.
Flop (Flop) – at this stage, three cards are laid out on the table, which are called flop. These are common cards for all players, which they can use to make combinations. This is followed by a second round of bidding. The first decision is made by the player who sits next to the button. He can place a bet within the limits set by the rules for this table, fold or make a check, that is, without discarding cards, transfer the right to make a decision to the next player. If one of the players places a bet, his opponents can fold, call, or raise their cards. In this case, you can no longer make a receipt. This round also ends when all the remaining opponents in the game have tied the stakes.
Turn-this round opens another card that is common to all players, called the turn. Bidding is conducted according to the same principles as in the previous round.
River – the last community card that opens in this round is called the river. After it, the last round of trading takes place. Show Down – all opponents remaining in the game show their cards, and the winner is determined, who takes the pot. If the players ‘ combinations are equal, the pot is divided between them.
If at any stage only one participant remains in the game, he becomes the owner of the pot. After that, the button moves clockwise to the next player, and a new hand begins. Texas hold’em game variations there are several variations of rules regarding the maximum bet size:
Fixed limit – a certain amount of bets is set for each round. However, only four trading stages are allowed: bet, raise, re-raise, and cap (final raise).
Pot limit – the minimum bet size must not be less than the big blind, and the maximum bet size must not exceed the pot size. The re-raise cannot be less than the previous raise, unless the player bets all their chips. There is no limit on the number of trading stages.
No limit – the minimum bet size is equal to the big blind, while the maximum bet size is unlimited. The re-raise cannot be less than the previous raise, unless the player bets all their chips. There is no limit on the number of trading stages.
Mixed type-the maximum bet size limits apply only in some rounds.
