Even people who are not avid poker players have most likely heard the three infamous words – Texas Hold ‘Em. This exciting version of poker has been sweeping the nation and remains by far the most popular variation of poker to play. Celebrities and average Joes alike have been enjoying the increasing popularity of this seemingly complicated but easy to catch on to game. Texas Hold ‘Em can certainly provide plenty of entertainment for professionals and novices alike, as it continues to do day after day.

A Community Game

Like the most basic form of poker, the Texas Hold ‘Em variation is described at its heart as being a community card game. The game highly involves each player, and each player gets a turn at making a decision such as raising or betting, or folding if his hand is not strong enough. This is part of the appeal of Texas Hold ‘Em – the sense of involvement with each player and the importance of learning how to read a player’s fellow opponents.

In the game, some cards are dealt face up and shared by the whole table, but each player also receives two cards –or hole cards—that are dealt facing down. The goal of each player is to use the different potential combinations of the cards to add up to the best possible hand. For example, the player can use the community cards in conjunction with his hole cards, or he may not use any of his hole cards at all. So long as he can come up with a hand that has a good chance of beating anyone else’s hand, he has a possibility of winning.

Betting starts with blind bets that begin to the left of the dealer. These are forced bets that happen before the player can see his cards. During this time, the players can still bet or raise, check, or fold. After this happens, three cards are then dealt face up – this is called the flop. Another round of betting follows before another card is dealt which is called the turn. After further betting, another card is dealt called the river. This is followed by the final found of betting, which is usually double what it was before the flop. The player with the best combination of five cards at the end will win the pot.