No Limit Texas Hold Em For Beginners

The Cadilac of Poker!

The two players after the button post the “blinds.” Then every player is dealt two face cards otherwise known as hole cards. Then there is a round of betting beginning with the person on the left of the Big Blind, where you can either call, raise, or fold. After the betting is done, you will have the “flop” which is 3 community board cards that everyone can use to make a hand. Again you will have a round of betting that is started by the person on the left of the dealer. Then the “turn” or “4^th St” Once again a round of betting followed by the “river” or “5^th st” Then you will have the last round of betting. At any time during betting a player can go “all in” and push all of his chips to the center.

Strategies

1) Starting Hands: For beginners, it’s probably the most important decision that you will make. Your starting hand will make decisions either easy or difficult after the flop and on later streets. Where you sit in relation to the dealer will also affect what cards you play and how you play them:

Early SB, BB, UTG, UTG+1 play AA-JJ & AK-AQ

Middle Seats 5-7 play AA-99 & AK-A10 + early position cards

Late Seats Seats 8-10 Play AA-22 & AK-A9 & Suited Connectors + early/mid position cards

Now, this is simply just a starting guide. As you gain experience you will play more cards and it will depend on many factors. These guidelines will prevent you from making bad decisions and losing a lot of chips later on.

2) Bluffing: Bluffing is a very strategic tool and is normally overused by beginners. It’s also a sign that maybe you’re playing too many hands and putting yourself in situations where a decision isn’t so clear cut. If there is more than one other person in the hand other than yourself, do not bluff. Someone is bound to have a hand to beat you. Also, if you’re “heads up” and that player has shown strong hands do not try to bluff him.

3) Pay Attention to other players even when you’re not a part of a hand. Try to pick up on betting patterns, facial expressions, and anything that seems odds about their playing style. You may be able to use this to your advantage in a later hand against this player. These are also called “tells.”

4) One of the biggest mistakes of beginners is that they play any face card or any 2 suited cards. Ac-2c may look good from early position, but since you have to act first after the flop you will be in poor position and will have little to no info throughout the hand. Patience is one of the biggest things I have had to learn in poker.

These are just tips to get started and help you save chips while learning to play. In a later hub I will suggest other tips that will focus more on betting, position, and flop analyzing or “flop texture.” These tips will help you take your game to the next level. Below is a list of poker terms and hand rankings. Be sure you read these so you’re prepared for your first game. Also, check out Dan Harringtons"Harrington On Hold 'Em" volume 1 which can be found on Amazon.com He explains starting hands, concepts, and rules to follow by to learn how to play the game well. Here is a direct link below to check it out and at a great buy! I think it's at half of what I paid for it a year ago. And be sure to check back for my next post for in depth information on position, betting, and flop texture.

Hand Ranking

Royal Flush AcKcQcJc10c
Straight Flush 3h 4h 5h 6h 7h
4 of a Kind 9h 9c 9d 9s
Full House 2c 2h 2d over Jc Jd
Flush 3h 6h Ah Kh 10h
Straight Ad 2c 3c 4s 5h
Three of a Kind Qh Qd Qs
2 pair Kh Kd 10s 10c
Pair Ac Ad

Poker Terms ( Just a Few of Many )

Blinds: Forced bets made by two players to have money in the pot
Tells: Actions, Facial Expressions, or Betting Patterns that may give away strength of a players hand
4th or 5th street also know as the "Turn" or the "River": The 4th and 5th communinty cards
UTG "Under the Gun" In the first round of betting preflop this person is the first to act sitting next to the Big Blind