Texas Hold'em Poker

Its enormous popularity came in the early 2000s, thanks to televised poker tournaments. During this period, Texas Hold'em overtook seven-card stud as US casinos' most common poker game. The no-limit betting format used in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) added significantly to its appeal. Today, Texas Hold'em reigns supreme as the most-played poker game online. 

How to play Texas Hold'em Poker online

In Texas Hold'em, your goal is to make the best possible five-card hand. Each player is dealt two private cards (hole cards), with five community cards dealt face-up on the table. The player with the highest-ranking hand at the end of the game wins the pot.

Blinds

The game kicks off with the posting of blinds, which are forced bets to create initial action in the pot. The two players immediately to the left of the dealer post these bets:

• Small Blind: The player directly to the dealer’s left posts the small blind, usually half of the minimum bet.

• Big Blind: The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind, which is the full minimum bet.

For example, if the small blind is R5, the big blind would be R10.

Hole Cards

Each player is dealt two private cards, known as hole cards. These cards are unique to each player and are kept hidden from the view of other players. For instance, you might be dealt the Ace of Hearts and the King of Spades.

Betting Rounds

There are four betting rounds in Texas Hold'em:

1. Pre-flop: After receiving their hole cards, you can call (match the big blind), raise (increase the bet), or fold (discard their hand). This is where your initial strategy kicks in, assessing the strength of your hole cards and the position at the table. For example, if the big blind is R10, you can call R10, raise to R20 or more, or fold. 

2. Flop: The dealer places three community cards face-up on the table. This is where you see how your hand might shape up. Another round of betting follows, starting with the player to the dealer's left.  If you have a strong hand, you might want to bet to build the pot or protect your hand. If you're unsure, you might check (pass the action to the next player) or call a bet to see the next card.

3. Turn: A fourth community card is dealt face-up. You now have even more information to guide your betting decisions. Again you can bet, check, raise, or fold based on their potential hand.

4. River: The fifth and final community card is dealt.  This is your final chance to bet, raise, or fold based on the strength of your hand.

5. Showdown: Players reveal their hole cards, and the best five-card hand wins the pot. This is the moment of truth, where your betting strategy throughout the hand pays off or doesn’t.

How to rank your hands

Now that we know the order of events, when cards are given, and when to bet, we need to understand which cards will give us a good hand. What cards do we need to win?  By knowing which hands are more likely to win, you can make more informed decisions and improve your chances of success at the table.

1. Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit. This is the highest possible hand.

2. Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit, like 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of hearts.

3. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank, such as four Queens.

4. Full House: Three cards of one rank and two of another, for example, three 8s and two Kings.

5. Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence, like A, K, 5, 9, 2 of clubs.

6. Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits, such as 4 of hearts, 5 of diamonds, 6 of clubs, 7 of spades, and 8 of hearts.

7. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank, for instance, three Jacks.

8. Two Pair: Two sets of pairs, like two 5s and two 9s.

9. One Pair: One set of pairs, such as two 10s.

10. High Card: The highest card in your hand when no other hand is made, like having an Ace as the highest card.

Strategies

Playing Texas Hold'em successfully requires a mix of skill, strategy, and intuition. Here are some strategies to help improve your game:

1. Starting Hand Selection: Choose your starting hands wisely. Playing too many hands can lead to losses. Stick to premium hands like high pairs, Aces with high kickers, and suited connectors in good positions.

2. Position: Your position at the table significantly impacts your strategy. Players in later positions have more information about their opponents' actions and can make more informed decisions.

3. Bluffing: A well-timed bluff can win you a pot, but use it sparingly and against the right opponents. Bluffing too often or against skilled players can backfire.

4. Reading Opponents: Pay attention to your opponents' betting patterns and body language. Identifying tells can give you an edge in making decisions.

5. Bankroll Management: Set a budget for your poker play and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and know when to walk away.

Limit, No Limit, Pot Limit, and Mixed Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em comes in various formats, each with its unique set of rules and strategies.

1. Limit Hold'em: In this format, betting limits are fixed, which means you can only bet or raise by a predetermined amount. This game is more about strategic play and less about large bluffs.

2. No Limit Hold'em: The most popular format, No Limit allows players to bet any amount up to their entire stack. This version requires a mix of aggression and caution and offers the potential for big pots and dramatic plays.

3. Pot Limit Hold'em: Here, you can bet up to the current size of the pot. It offers a balance between the fixed bets of Limit Hold'em and the high stakes of No Limit.

4. Mixed Hold'em: This format alternates between Limit and No Limit Hold'em, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly. It's a true test of versatility and skill.

Statistics About the Combinations

Understanding the probabilities and statistics of Texas Hold'em can significantly improve your gameplay. Here are some key stats to keep in mind:

1. Starting Hand Odds: The probability of being dealt a pair of Aces, the best starting hand, is 0.45%. Conversely, the odds of getting a hand like 7-2 offsuit, considered the worst, are also 0.45%.

2. Flop Odds: The chance of hitting a pair on the Flop when you hold two unpaired cards is about 32%. If you have a pocket pair, the odds of hitting a set (three of a kind) are roughly 11.8%.

3. Drawing Odds: If you hold two suited cards, the chance of flopping a flush is about 0.8%. However, the odds of completing a flush by the River (if you have four cards to a flush after the Flop) are approximately 35%.

4. Straight Odds: The probability of flopping a straight with two connected cards is about 1.3%. If you have an open-ended straight draw after the Flop, your chances of completing it by the River are around 31.5%.

Texas Hold'em offers a blend of excitement, strategy, and luck that keeps players coming back for more. Grab your chips and join the action at your favourite South African casino!

Best Starting Hands

Pocket Aces (AA) are the best hand to start with pre-flop. They give you a strong advantage, but if your hand doesn't improve as the game progresses, you're left with just one pair. One pair might not be enough to secure a win in multiway pots, so be mindful as the board develops.

When playing heads-up (one-on-one), you need to play a wider range of starting hands, especially when you're on the button (last to act). This aggressive strategy helps you take control and dominate the game.

Multi-way Games Strategy

In games with multiple players, you need to be pickier about your starting hands. Your position at the table and your opponent's actions become critical. Here are some hands that typically perform well:

• Top Pairs: AA and KK are top-notch starting hands. Play them aggressively pre-flop. Don't hesitate to bet big if you get the chance. QQ and JJ are also strong, but be cautious if you face significant pre-flop aggression or if higher cards appear on the flop.

• Small Pairs: Hands like 44 or 66 are worth playing if you can see the flop cheaply, especially from a late position. You're aiming to hit a set (three of a kind) on the flop, which can be well-disguised against opponents with higher pairs. Consider folding if there's heavy action pre-flop or you miss the flop.

• Suited Connectors: Cards like Jack-10 of Hearts (JH, 10H) are powerful because they can form straights and flushes. They're great for multi-way pots and deep stack play, giving you the chance to win big against lesser hands like two pairs or three of a kind.

• Suited Aces: Hands like Ace-4 of hearts (AH, 4H) have the potential to make straights and, more importantly, the nut flush. These hands can be highly profitable against lower-value flushes. They're also great for bluffing pre-flop raises since holding an Ace reduces the chance your opponent has one. And if you're called, you still have good post-flop playability.