J a K e Y's Fifth Guide
Learning the Basics of Texas Hold'em Poker
Ranks of Hands
High Card -
When you don't have any of the above, your highest card determines your hand. An example would be "King High" or "High card King".
One Pair -
Two cards of the same rank.
Two Pair -
Two cards of the same rank and another two cards of the same rank. An example would be "Jacks and Twos".
Three-of-a-Kind -
Three cards of the same rank.
Straight (Run) -
Five cards of sequential rank. Note that in holdem, Aces can be high or low.
Flush -
Five cards of the same suit.
Full House -
Three-of-a-kind and a pair. An example would be "Queens over Aces" or "Queens full of Aces".
Four-of-a-Kind -
Four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush -
A straight of entirely one suit.
Royal Flush -
An Ace-High straight of one suit.
Betting
Fold - If you Fold, you give your cards back to the dealer and you sit out of this hand, this normall occurs when you have a rubbish hand.
Check - When you Check, it means you dont bet any chips/money, this normally means you have a weak hand.
Bet - When you Bet, you bet chips/money, this normally shows you have a good or reasonable hand.
Raise - When you Raise, you Bet more chips/money after someone else has Betted. If you raise, you will be the first to bet again after the next community card comes out.
Basics of Texas Hold'em Poker
Evaluation your Cards
When you look at your cards, be careful not to reveal anything with your reaction, facial or otherwise. Taking a deep breath, no matter how quietly you do it or giving a little smile, can tell a wily opponent all he needs to know to have an advantage over you. So you should definately practise your poker face.
How do you know if your cards are good?
Most players would fold if you have 2 cards that are not the same, not suited and both under the value of 10, this is a general rule for most poker players. If you have 2 cards that are the same suite in your hand, i would encourage you to go on and see the flop as you only need 3 out of the 5 community cards to be the same suite. If you have 2 cards similar to 8 and 9 or 9 and 10, you should carry on and see the flop as you are in the runnings for a "Straight". A good poker players favorite hand is something like, Ace and a Nine or something like a King and an Ace.
If the big blind (a forced bet designed to ensure that every hand has a pot) is low enough, it may be worthwhile to pay in so that you can see the flop even if you don't have particularly good
cards in your hand. But don't abuse this exception to the rule, it can get you into trouble more quickly than you imagine.
A lot of Texas Hold 'Em strategy is based on the cards in your hand. You will get alot of seriously rubbish hands like a 2 and a 8 or a 4 and a 9. Just take this in your stride, dont get impatient and soon enough you will get a good hand.
The Flop
A "Flop" consists of 3 "Community" cards. A "Community" card is for all the players at the table to use. You can use these cards to make the best hand possible with the cards you have in your hand. If you dont have a pair or a anywhere near a flush or a straight you should fold unless everyone else checks.
If you're first to bet after the flop, don't be afraid to check. This can work to your advantage in two ways. First, if your hand is on the weak side, you might be able to see one more card without having to put more into the pot. Second, if your hand is strong, you could convince an opponent or two that it's weaker than it really is.
Also. if you are in possestion of a good hand, you can also raise the bettings or check, but beware, poker players can bluff you and make you think they have a good hand by raising the bettings when they have a rubbish hand.
The Turn
The "Turn" is another Community card and betting happens again after this card is revealed.
The River
The "River" is the 5th and final Community card and the last round of betting happens.
