How to Play Texas Hold ‘Em: Rules, Hands, And History
Poker is one of the most popular casino games of all time, with roots that can be traced back to 10th century China. The game has diversified over time, with multiple rule sets and various tournament styles being introduced in recent years.
Around the turn of the century (1900, that is), a new version that was sometimes called just “Hold’em” rolled into Robstown, Texas and caught on like wildfire in the western regions. Texas Hold’ Em poker ended up making its way to Las Vegas in the 60’s where it gained mainstream attention and went on to become one of the most lucrative casino games that is played today.
Recently, televised poker events have elevated the game’s visibility and accessibility, especially for the Texas Hold ‘Em variation, the official game played in worldwide tournaments and featured online.
What makes this game beloved is that it’s easy to teach, easy to learn, and easy to play – yet NOT easy to master. While strategy and psychology play a role in determining a player’s success in the game, luck can also be a winning factor – when you play your cards right.
Texas Hold’Em Limit
As with all poker variants, players compete for ‘the pot’ of money or chips contributed by the players themselves in Texas Hold’ Em. The objective is to make the best possible hand with private cards and community cards that are dealt clockwise in four rounds from a traditional 52-card deck consisting of 4 suits of equal rank – spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs – and layered with several rounds of betting. Aces are both high and low.
Hands are ranked as follows, with the highest ranking hand winning the pot.
- Royal Flush / Straight Flush / Four of a Kind
- Full House / Flush / Straight / Three of a Kind
- Two Pair / One Pair / High Card
How To Play Texas Hold ‘Em Limit
In Texas Hold ‘Em Limit, each player is dealt two face-down cards known as the ‘hole cards,’ which remain private. Next comes a round of five community cards placed face up on ‘the board’ (the center of the table).
The four rounds of community cards are as follows:
- The Flop is when the first three community cards are dealt.
- The Turn is community card number four.
- The River is the name for the fifth and final community card.
- The Showdown takes place after the final betting round, if there are two or more players remaining. In the Showdown, everyone reveals their hole cards, and the player with the best hand wins the pot.
Players have several options. They can:
- Fold – discard their cards and exit the hand
- Check – pass the action to the next player without betting
- Bet – the player can call – match the current bet, or raise – increase the current bet within the limits determined by the house.
In Texas Hold ‘Em Limit, all wagers have limits (as the name suggests). For example, in a game with a 3-6 limit, the wager is limited to $3 before the flop, but on the turn and the river, the limit is $6. Limits are posted by the casino or gambling hall.
A player may be put on the clock by the house, where they are given one additional minute to complete the action on their hand or their hand will be ruled dead.
At the showdown, the player with the highest ranking hand is declared the winner. The winner gets to take home the jackpot, which can be dollars or quarters in a less competitive setting, or in the thousands of dollars in a more competitive setting. Check the casino’s jackpot online before heading to the table to play.
The feeling of winning can be exhilarating, but so can the agony of defeat. Texas Hold ‘Em is a terrific version of the beloved Poker game and can be really lively and fun to play. It’s a game that requires both strategy to determine the best possible hand, as well as a small amount of luck.
As the saying goes, it’s not about the best hand; it’s how to play the game that matters. Seven Mile Casino is the place to be in San Diego County. It’s open 24/7, and there are always multiple table games to join. The beautiful bayfront property is welcoming to players of all skill levels and experience. Whether you’re a newer, more casual player or a seasoned professional, you can try your hand at Seven Mile Casino.
