Texas Hold'Em is considered the game of choice among professional poker players. High-stakes games are played daily in Las Vegas casinos, but the biggest of them all is the $1Million World Series of Poker held every year at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The game is very similar to seven-card stud except only two of the seven cards are dealt to the player; the other five are dealt face up and used collectively by all players. The play begins with the dealer giving each player two face-down cards. The player next to the dealer is required to start the betting; the other players will match his bet or withdraw. Incidentally it's not uncommon in these high-stakes games to see players leave early, often after receiving only two or three cards. The dealer discards, or bums, the top card from the deck, then deals three cards face up in the center of the table-this deal is called the flop. Another round of betting is completed. The dealer then bums another card and adds a fourth face-up card to the center. Once again there's a round of betting. Fin0y a fifth face-up card is dealt to the center. Each player can now determine his or her hand,
based on the two facedown cards and the five community cards in the center of the table. A final round of betting occurs, along with a showdown and revealing of hands. Once again the highest hand wins.
Basic Strategy
The strategy for Texas Hold'Em is similar to seven-card stud except
it's based on your first two
cards. If you're dealt none of the combinations below, drop out.
1. A pair of aces: This is the best starting hand. Hold and bet from the first round.
2. A pair of kings: Another very good hand. Hold and bet from the first round.
3. A pair of queens or jacks: Hold and cover all bets until the fourth up card is dealt. If you have not increased the value of your hand, drop out.
4. Two high-value cards (ace, king, or queen): Hold and cover all bets until the fourth up card is dealt. If you haven't bettered your hand, drop out.
S. Two high-value cards of the same suit: Hold until the fourth up card. if you haven't increased the value of your hand, drop out.
6. A small pair (10s or less): Hold unW the fourth up card. If you haven't increased your hand's value, drop out. Generally if you haven't received a pair of aces or better-two pair, three of a kind, etc.-after the fourth up card is dealt, drop out. Seldom is a hand won by less than a pair of aces.
Texas Hold'Em is considered the game of choice among professional poker players. High-stakes games are played daily in Las Vegas casinos, but the biggest of them all is the $1Million World Series of Poker held every year at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The game is very similar to seven-card stud except only two of the seven cards are dealt to the player; the other five are dealt face up and used collectively by all players. The play begins with the dealer giving each player two face-down cards. The player next to the dealer is required to start the betting; the other players will match his bet or withdraw. Incidentally it's not uncommon in these high-stakes games to see players leave early, often after receiving only two or three cards. The dealer discards, or bums, the top card from the deck, then deals three cards face up in the center of the table-this deal is called the flop. Another round of betting is completed. The dealer then bums another card and adds a fourth face-up card to the center. Once again there's a round of betting. Fin0y a fifth face-up card is dealt to the center. Each player can now determine his or her hand,