Basics of Playing Texas Hold’em Poker

Most online casinos in Australia offer poker table games. These games often are based either on draw poker or on Texas Hold’em Poker. Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker in the world and the top game offered at online poker rooms.

While there are few online poker rooms that serve Australia presently, it is still a good idea to know the basics of how to play Texas Hold’em. Today, we will give you the basics of Texas Hold’em play, along with some basic strategies of how to play.

Rules of Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em is a modified version of Seven Card Stud poker that played all over the world. The object is to make your best five-card poker hand using two cards in your hand and the five community cards on the board.

Prior to receiving cards, players must place forced bets called blinds. The first player to the left of the dealer must place the small blind, while the player two spots from the dealer must place the big blind. The dealer position is determined by a white disc that moves clockwise one spot after each hand.

Blind amounts are static amount based on the stakes of the game. In a $2 – $4 NL Hold’em, the small blind is $2 while the big blind is $4.

After blinds are posted, hole cards are dealt to players. Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, players must either call the big blind, raise, or fold. Action continues around the table back to the blinds. If the action comes back to the big blind without a raise, the big blind has an additional option to check their action.

Once action is completed, the first of three community cards or flop is dealt. Betting action begins with the first player to the left of the dealer button still in the hand. Action then continues clockwise around the table.

Once flop action is completed, a fourth community card or turn is dealt. Another round of betting occurs. Finally, the final community card or river is dealt. One final round of betting occurs and then players go to showdown.

At showdown, remaining players turn over their hands. The highest poker hand wins. In the case that multiple players have the same hand, the pot is chopped between the two players.

Basic Strategy of Texas Hold’em Play

Texas Hold’em is a fairly complex game with a strategy that takes a long time to master. However, you can get started with a fairly simple strategy. First, you need to be mindful of your position relative to the dealer button. The later in position you are able to raise in, the more likely that you will have the best hand.

As a beginner, you want to play stronger holdings when playing in early position. Here’s a quick list of starting hands based on their relative strength:

• Aces, Kings, Queens
• A-K Suited
• Jacks, A-Q Suited, A-J Suited, A-K
• A-Q or A-J Unsuited
• Eights Through Tens
• Suited A-8 Through A-10
• Lower Pairs

In later position, you can look to expand your hand holdings to include any suited ace, suited and unsuited face cards, and suited connectors.

Whenever you’re entering a hand, you want to play the hand aggressively. Calling down bets or playing passively allows players to catch up in a hand and will often lead to bad beats.

Knowing Rules to Hold’em Helpful at Online Casinos

While there aren’t many poker rooms accessible from Australia, there are some online casino games that borrow elements from Texas Hold’em. It is important that you understand Hold’em so that you have the best shot to win.

For example, Poker3 Heads-Up Hold’em is actually a modified form of Texas Hold’em Poker. Knowing the basics of Texas Hold’em will help you win more in the game. Understanding Texas Hold’em will also help in games such as Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker.

Even if you never play a hand of Texas Hold’em in poker rooms, knowing the basics will help you win more when playing online casino games.