by: David Olsen

A refresher for the returning champion, and a quick guide for the beginner. Knowing the Texas hold'em rules can make all the difference in your game and the winnings you take home. Even a long timer may need a refresher every now and then. Take a moment and read below to be on your way to enjoying and understanding the game.

In the game Texas Hold 'Em you use a standard 52 card deck. After the cards are shuffled or as with Internet Texas Hold'em you make your start by placing the predetermined amount of money into the pot, which is also called, posting the blinds. This occurs before any cards being dealt.

Often the first player (the player directly beside the dealer on the left) puts half the minimum in the pot and then all other players put in the full minimum bet. By doing this, there is always money to play for in each hand.

When the initial bet is made, next each player receives two cards face down. These cards are known as the hole cards. After looking at your hole cards, betting will commence again. At this point, you can call (which means you put in exactly what you must to stay in the game), you can raise the bet, or you can fold and try again next time.

The dealer will then discard their top-card (this is called burning) and place three cards face up in the middle of the table. Those cards are community cards. Keep in mind any combination of your hole cards and the community cards can be used to make the best five-card poker hand. Placing the community card is called the flop.

After the flop, the bets begin again. Then there is another card placed in the community pile face up. That card is called the turn. After the turn another round of betting occurs. Then the fifth and final card is placed in the community pile. This card is called the river.

After the river card the final round of betting occurs. By the Texas hold'em rules everyone still in the game reveals his or her hand. The person with the best hand wins.

These are the general Texas hold'em rules. Texas Hold'em poker is a fabulous game of chance and strategy. Take your chances and have a great time playing. On thing that is great about Internet Texas Hold'em is the others players can't read you to try to find out if you're bluffing. Online or off, Texas Hold'em poker is a great combination of luck and strategy.