If you\’ve been a little embarrassed to try Texas Hold \’Em because it looks a little involved, fret not. In the piece we will cover enough of the basic rules to get you up and gunnin\’ for the big dog in now time.

Because it is not like the traditional \”ante poker\” people usually are turned off by the little and big blind involved in Texas Hold \’Em. These can actually be your best friend because there could conceivably be round where you do not have to pay anything to see your first two cards. The blind is an agreed upon amount two players have to pay before each hand. The little blind will pay half the agreed amount and the big blind will pay the full amount. So if the blind is $50, little pays $25 and the big pays $50. The little blind is the player to the immediate left of the dealer and the big blind is to the little blind\’s left. As the deal is rotated on to the next player, so are the little and big blinds.

Each player is dealt two cards face down at this point. The little blind bets first. They have the option to \”check\” which means they do not want to bet. Betting then goes to the next player who has the same option, all the way around to the dealer. The betting round ends at the dealer. If everyone checks, then the dealer moves to the next step. If someone bets then the betting round continues. Everyone has to either call or raise in order. So if player A (out of 4 players) checks, then B checks, but C bets $5, player D has to call and match the $5, So does player A and B. If D, A or B raises, then the betting round continues until everyone has put the same amount of money in the pot or has folded.

After the second round of betting is complete, the dealer burns another card and deals just one more card face up in the center of the table. This is called the \”turn\” card. You are still taking the best three of the four to compliment your hole cards. After the card is turned up, another round of betting takes place.

Once more another card is burned and a final card is turned up. This is called the river card. Another round of betting takes place. When someone calls then the round of betting is over and the two down cards are shown by the remaining players.

Once the third round is over, if you\’ve had the intestinal fortitude to stick it all out, it is time for the river card. The river is dealt just like the turn was; one card burnt and one face up. The final round of betting takes place then. Once this is done, it is time to see everyone\’s cards. The winner takes the pot.

Remember to keep a second table available so that your eliminated players can still play somewhere else. Buying back into a Texas Hold \’Em game is a lot like one football team taking over for another after halftime; it\’s just not fair. Having a second table gives \”the losers\” something to do until the next game starts.

Texas Hold \’Em is a lot more intense than the average \”call it\” poker night. One needs to be aware that once you start playing Hold \’Em, you have to keep playing or else then someone is going to be upset. This is due to the big and little blinds being the only ones having to ante. Keep this in mind and good luck to you.

Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Folding Poker Table which provides reviews on Fat Cat, ChipsAndGames, Trademark Global and more.