Guide on How to Learn Poker: Texas Hold’em

Poker is a favorite among many people globally. There are different rules and tutorials on how to play 3 card poker, 5 card draw, Omaha poker, etc. By far the most popular is Texas Hold’em. In this quick guide on how to learn poker, not only do we cover the rules but also teach you how to build a poker table.

CONTENTS

• Rules of the Game and a Table Explaining What Poker Chips Are Worth
• Professional Poker: How to Win Poker Tournaments
• Poker at Home: How to Make a Poker Table and Other Tips
• FAQs

Rules of the Game and a Table Explaining What Poker Chips Are Worth

Here is how you play Texas Hold’em:

1. A dealer button determines who is going to be the dealer.
2. The first person to the left of the dealer will have to make a “small blind” bet; the second person will make “big blind” (2x small blind). It can be $5/$10 or $1/$2, for example.
3. Each player is dealt 2 cards face-down. They can examine them and decide whether they have good chances or not.
4. The third player can fold (withdraw from the game), call (bet the same amount as the previous player has), or raise (at least double the amount of the previous bet). 
5. The betting round continues clockwise until all the players have committed the same amount to the pot.
6. Three cards are drawn face-up; they are called “The Flop”. Betting starts, and the first person can bet or ‘check’ to pass up the lead.
7. The fourth card is dealt face-up; it is known as “The Turn”. The betting round starts.
8. The fifth card is dealt face-up; it is known as “The River”. The last betting round begins.
9. The players’ cards are turned over, and the winner is determined. The winner gets the pot.

After the first hand is completed, the dealer button moves to the player on the left, and the new hand begins.

To start playing, you should also know what poker chips are worth since there are sets that don’t have the value printed on them. The standard set of 5 colors looks like this:

Optional colors are orange for $50, pink for $250, purple for $500, and some other options.

Professional Poker: How to Win Poker Tournaments

The first tip on how to win poker tournaments is to know the basics – that is how the hands rank:

1. Royal flush – the same suit, A, K, Q, J, 10.
2. Straight flush – the same suit, the sequence of any other 5 cards.
3. Four of a kind – 4 cards of the same rank.
4. Full house – 3 cards of one rank and 2 cards of the other rank.
5. Flush – the same suit, 5 different cards.
6. Straight – the sequence of 5 cards, offsuit.
7. Three of a kind – 3 cards of the same rank.
8. Two pair – 2 pairs of different cards.
9. Pair – the same rank, 2 cards.
10. High Card – the highest card is considered if none of the options above can be applied.

As soon as you know these fundamentals, you will understand whether your hand is “strong”. The practice is key in poker, especially if you want to learn how to bluff and trick your opponents into folding their hands.

Poker at Home: How to Make a Poker Table and Other Tips

If you want to play poker at home, there are a few essential things you will have to invest in.

First, you will need a deck of cards. If you are planning to host poker competitions regularly, get special plastic cards. They are a little more expensive but will keep their shape regardless of how many times you use them.

Next, get a set of chips that will be used to bet. Without them, your gambling experience will be a bit lackluster.

Finally, get a nice surface to play on. Ideally, you can invest in a poker table. Mind, though, that they can be really expensive. If you want to save a few bucks, here’s a quick guide on how to make a poker table topper.

1. Measure the table you are going to play on and buy a roll of poker table padding to fit the measurements. 
2. Trim the padding to the exact dimensions of your table and place it on the top of it.
3. Buy poker table felt. You can glue it to the padding or simply use it as a table cloth.

FAQs