As previously stated, the basics of playing Texas Hold’em Poker are relatively easy. But, building a great hand is the key to winning or losing. If you have ever watched a televised game, and we suggest you do, you might have noticed the pro’s betting on a hand that has absolutely no value. These players’s have been in the game so long that they know how to properly read every hand and more importantly their opponents.

Another noticeable quark on televised tournaments is that the pros usually wear hats and dark glasses. It doesn’t take a genius to know they are not worrying about the sun doing some heavy damage. The fact is they don’t want their opponent to get any impression of their hand. This method works in conjunction with bluffing. In Texas Hold’em terminology it is referred to as ‘tells’.

Some of the basics of play and terminology you should first learn are:
Check- This means you want the hand to continue playing without placing a bet or wager. If another player does place the bet, you then must decide to either match the bet or fold your hand.

Bet/Wager – This means simply placing a bet, or laying down the chips. You may also be called to wager or bet to match another player. You have to commit to the pot or ante first in Texas Hold’em even before the cards are dealt. This is what makes Hold’em so different and much more entertaining.

Raise – This refers to raising the initial wager. You may be called to action when another player ‘raises’ the stakes. Players either decide to go ahead based on their hole cars, or fold if they prefer. In a proper play, it is a good idea to raise if you know you have a pretty good chance at winning, but there is a time to do it and another time not to. Read further and we will show you why.

Fold – This simply means you are ending your game. There is no shame in folding, if you can’t make a good play and the community cards are doing nothing for you, its best to fold to keep your bankroll safe.

Pot/Ante – This is referred to as the total value of the hand. It includes all antes, blinds, bets and raises.
Texas Hold’em requires a level of skill and control. You must learn the basics first before diving in. This is why it’s so important to play for free first – this allows you to build on your own strategy. The first step is learning how to make a hand and then how to control your betting. Imagine having two Aces in your hole cards and another Ace appears in the community. Of course the excitement will be hard to contain and online, containment isn’t so much of an issue. BUT, and it is a big BUT, the minute you start wagering loads of money, or raising an absurd amount and even ‘going all in’, can be the biggest mistake you will ever make. In fact, by doing any of this you risk missing out on a ‘dream’ hand. It is vital you read through the rest of our site and discover tricks on how to properly confront a great hand