Texas Hold 'em???

Question

I've been trying to learn how to play poker and I have a book on it, but it's too long and boring. Can anyone just give me some quick instructions on how to play? Or a site that gives REALLY GOOD instructions for beginners because most of the sites I've found r a little complicated. I'd prefer a reply w/ instructions in it, but a poker website is fine too. No lectures, just answers please! Thanks!

Answer 1

You can learn all the best plays for a given deal, but proper betting is also influenced by where you are sitting compared to the dealer.  It's more complicated than it looks.

Answer 2

The frist person to the left of the dealer makes a forced bet, this is called a 'small blind.' The person to the left of that person makes a bet twice the size of that, this is the minimal bet and is called the 'big blind'. The Dealer then deals everyone two cards. After this begins the frist round of betting, each player must bet the same amount as the big blind if they want to stay in the game. The First to Bet (on the immediate left of the Big Blind) has three options: Call, Raise or Fold.

To Call, the player places a bet that is equal to the Big Blind.

To Raise, the player adds an additional amount.

To Fold, the player places his cards face-down in front of him and pushes them towards the middle of the table where they constitute the Muck. When any card touches the Muck it is deemed to have been folded. That player can take no further part in the hand and any bets he has made are forfeit.

Subsequent players have the same three options, plus the option to ReRaise (or ReReRaise). A ReRaise must equal at least the size of the last Raise.

Afterwards comes the 'flop'. This begins by the dealers 'burning' (basically discarding) the card at the top of the deck, and then placing three cards. After this comes the second round of betting. This round and all subsequent betting rounds start with the first player to the dealer's left still in the hand. In addition to Calling, Raising or Re-Raising, players now have the option to Check - staying in the hand without betting until it is their turn to speak again. Once a bet has been made a player may choose to Call for that amount or Raise (or ReRaise, where applicable). If he chooses to do neither, he must Fold. Thus, at the end of the round, all players will have put in an equal amount of bets. Afterwards come the 'Turn', which starts by burning the card on the top of the deck, and placing a forth card. This begins a 3rd round of betting. After the third round of betting comes the 'river', which starts agian by burning the card on the top of the deck, and placing a fifth card. This begins the fifth round of betting. After the fifth round of betting, comes the Show-Down, which all players remaining must show thier cards and make the best five-card combination out of the two cards they own, and the five community cards.The best combination gets the 'pot' which is all the money betted.

Answer 3

A tough question to answer the way you want.  Poker is a complex game.  Even after playing for 5 years and winning several thousand dollars playing I still have nights that I think WHY DID I PLAY THAT HAND.  The best way to learn is to play. I will put some free play sites on here and they will have info on how to play.  Plus a page that just explains how to play.  Once you start playing online remember its just play money.  You can lose it all and you can get more.  While you play ask the other players questions.  Most players like to talk about the game and there is a place to chat at each table.  Hope this helps.