FOR DISCUSSION: Introduction to Texas Holdem Poker

It is hard to determine where the history of texas holdem poker began. But it is recognised that its origin birthplace is Robstown, Texas and its history flew back to the early 1900s (Ace Up 2010). The game was then brought up and introduced to Las Vegas. Today, Texas holdem poker became one of the most played card games in the world.

Pocket Aces are the best hand you can get for your preflop

!

Texas holdem poker requires skill, knowledge, precise prediction and luck to win a game. Strong mathematical and analytical attribute play a strong role in outcasting your opponents. When you read your opponents' cards, you gain a higher chance of winning (WSOP 2010). Since this might be a new game to all, we will do a brief introduction to the game play of texas holdem poker.

Firstly, any player who wishes to join a table needs to buy-in with a minimum monetary amount. The amount would be used during the game play. During the game, you will be given two cards where opponents are not able to see. These are your preflop cards. Preflop is the stage where you receive two cards and communnity cards are not shown out yet. Community cards are the 5 cards shown on the table shared by you and your opponents to form the best card combination. Each game is divided into preflop, flop, turn, river where each time, every player is given a chance to either check, raise or call. 

Ace King suited means they belong to the same colour group ! (e.g. Ace King Spaces/Diamonds)

Here are some useful terms for your reference from Concrete Software (2010):

1. Call - to put in the amount of money equal to the bets before you.
2. Raise - to bet at a higher stake.
3. Re-raise - to bet at a higher stake than the current raise.
4. Check - When no one has bet in front of you and you do not bet either.
5. Fold - To not follow/call a hand.
6. All in - To put the rest of your money into the pot.
7. Flop - The first three community cards
8. Turn - The fourth community card.
9. River - The fifth community card.
10. Bluff - To act like you have a good hand and raise people.
11. Pot - The current stakes that the players are playing for.

Your preflop cards would be combined with the five community cards on the table to form the best combination of cards available, so does your opponents. Whoever with the best card would win the game. Combinations may include:

Texas holdem poker doesn't end here. What professional players do often is to bluff and cheat you when they do not even have a hand or merely a small pair. Therefore, besides being good at raising people with a good hand, a good poker player must also be diligent to bluff people at appropriate times. This is what made texas holdem poker lively with so many possibilities and combination of cards and bluffs.

Bluff by re-raising your opponent when you know they don't have a good hand !

So, are you into texas holdem poker now? :DD

Reference
Texas Holdem Moves to Las Vegas 2010, Ace Up, viewed 15 September 2010, http://www.texas-holdem-poker-history.com/texas-holdem-to-vegas.html.

World Series of Poker 2010, viewed 15 September 2010, http://www.wsop.com/how-to-play-poker/.

Concrete Software 2010, viewed 15 September 2010,