Your guide to playing and winning big in Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is a popular poker variant in land-based and online casinos. Its gameplay is the perfect mix of luck and strategy, where your goal is to outsmart other players to win the pot. 

Although Texas Hold’em is a fun and simple game to play, it’s crucial to learn its rules and game mechanics to boost your odds of winning. To get you started on the right note, here’s your guide to playing and winning big in Texas poker:

Texas poker rules: The basics

In poker variations like Texas Hold’em, you follow certain rules depending on where you are seated. There are two main types of poker positions in Texas Hold’em: late and early positions. 

The different poker Texas Hold'em positions and how each should act are as follows:

• Under the gun (UTG) → This is the player who first acts in the pre-flop betting round. They are seated to the left of the big blind and have the least advantage since they have to act first without any information about the other players' hands.
• Under the gun +1 (UTG+1) → The UTG+1 is seated to the left of the UTG player. They act second in the pre-flop betting round and have a slightly better position compared to UTG, as they get to see the action of the UTG player before making their decision.
• Middle position (MP) → This position is between the early and late positions. They often have more info to use since they have seen the actions of some players before making their own decisions.
• Lojack (LJ) → The Lojack position is the player seated two positions to the right of the big blind. It acts just before the hijack and has a good position compared to the earlier positions, as they have more info on players' actions.
• Hijack (HJ) → This is the player seated two positions to the right of the dealer button. It acts just before the cutoff and has a good position as it gets to act relatively late in the pre-flop betting round.
• Cut off (CO) → The cutoff position is seated one position to the right of the dealer button. It is a strong position as it acts last before the dealer button, giving them the chance to steal the blinds or make strategic moves.
• Deal button (BT) → This is the best position at the table as it acts last in each betting round, having the most info about the actions of other players. The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand.
• Small blind (SB) → The small blind is the player seated to the left of the dealer button. It is required to post a small forced bet before the cards are dealt.
• Big blind (BB) → This is seated to the left of the small blind. It must post a bigger forced bet, usually double the amount of the small blind.

Hand rankings

Hand rankings in Texas poker online determine the relative strength of different poker hands. Take a closer look at the hand rankings from the strongest hand to the weakest:

• Royal flush → This is the highest-ranking hand that consists of five cards of the same suit in sequence, from 10 to Ace. The specific cards required to form a royal flush are the 10, jack, queen, king, and ace, all of the same suit. 
• Straight flush → A straight flush is the second strongest hand that consists of five cards of the same suit arranged in numerical order. For instance, a hand that has 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 hearts forms a straight flush.
• Four-of-a-kind → This is a Texas Poker hand that has all four cards of the same rank and a different fifth card. For example, you have a four-of-a-kind if there are four kings (K-K-K-K) and any other card such as a 3 or a 9.
• Full house → A full house has three cards of the same rank and a pair of another rank. For instance, you would have a full house if you have three queens (Q-Q-Q) and two jacks (J-J).
• Flush → A flush consists of any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequential order. For example, if you have the 2, 5, 8, 10, and king of hearts, you would have a flush because all five cards are of the same suit (hearts). 
• Straight → This Texas Poker hand has five consecutive cards of any suit. For example, a straight can be formed with 4-5-6-7-8 of any suit.
• Three-of-a-kind → A hand that consists of three cards of the same rank, along with two unrelated side cards is a three-of-a-kind. You would have this hand if you have three jacks (J-J-J) and any other two unrelated cards like 5 and 9.
• Two pair → This consists of two cards of one rank and another two cards of a different rank with one unrelated side card. For instance, if you have a pair of kings (K-K), a pair of sevens (7-7), and an unrelated side card, you would have a two-pair.
• One pair → One pair consists of two cards of the same rank with three different cards. You have this if you have a pair of tens (10-10) and three unrelated side cards like 3, 7, and an Ace.
• High card → This hand is not any of the standard poker hand combinations. When you have a no pair, the value of your hand is determined by the highest-ranking card you hold.

Texas Poker betting: Types of bets 

To play Texas Hold'em, learn the different types of betting actions that you can use. These are:

• Check → When you check, you choose not to place a bet. Checking is only possible if no bets have been made in the current betting round.
• Bet → A bet is when you place the first wager in a round of betting. The bet amount varies based on factors such as the table stakes and your strategy.
• Call → Calling occurs when you match the current bet made by another player. By calling, you maintain your hands and continue playing for the current pot size.
• Raise → This involves increasing the current bet made by another player. A raise often requires you to bet more chips than the previous bet. The exact amount of the raise depends on the betting limits in place.
• Fold → Folding when you forfeit your hand and discard your cards. By folding, you give up any chance of winning the current pot and avoid further losses.
• All-in → Going all-in means you bet all your remaining chips and get the chance to win a portion of the pot you were involved in up to that point. Other players can continue betting in a side pot if they have more chips.

How to play Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em Poker follows a game flow wherein players must do an action depending on where in the flow they are. The typical game flow of Texas Hold’em is as follows:

Sit on an empty seat

Texas Hold’em is played with 2 to 10 players. Each table has the maximum number of seats, meaning you can only join the game if there are available seats. 

Determine where the dealer button is

The dealer button rotates clockwise around the table after each hand, ensuring that each player gets a turn to be in the dealer position. You should always know where the dealer button position is as it determines the betting order and the cards' deal. 

Place blind

Before the cards are dealt, the SB and the BB must place their forced bet. These bets ensure that there is money in the pot right from the start, inspiring players to compete and take action.

Deal out cards

Once the SB and BB bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards face down to each player clockwise two times. The player to the left of the dealer will be dealt first, while the player with the button will be dealt last. 

Preflop: 

At this point, you must look at the two dealt cards and decide whether to continue playing or fold. The first move in the pre-flop is done by the UTG position, which is closest to the BB in a clockwise direction. 

Flop

This is the second round wherein the three community cards are revealed by the dealer for the first time. Then, look at the community card and the cards you have to decide on your action.

Turn

During this round, the dealer adds a fourth community card. The players then repeat the same steps as the flop round.

River

In the river round, the fifth and final community card is dealt face-up. It is the last chance for you to make your best five-card hand using the community cards and your hole cards.

Showdown

This is the final stage of a hand where the remaining players reveal their hole cards, and the winner is determined. It starts with the last player who made a bet or raise. The dealer assists in determining the winning hand by comparing the combinations of each player's hole cards and the community cards. 

Texas Poker tips: Strategies to increase your chances of winning

Now that you know the different Texas poker betting methods and how the game flow works, it will be easier for you to make a strategy. Make sure that your strategy matches your playstyle and risk level.

Some of the best poker strategies that will boost your poker Texas Hold'em probability of winning are:

Consider your position at the table 

Being in a late position gives you more advantage, allowing you to make more informed decisions. However, being in an early position puts you in a tight spot, so you must be extra careful of your actions and play safely.

Be mindful of your bet sizing

Avoid making small, easily payable bets that give opponents the right odds to continue with weaker hands. Instead, make larger bets to put pressure on your opponents and protect the value of your strong hands.

Observe opponents

Pay attention to other players' betting patterns and tendencies. Look for patterns or bluffs that can help you predict their moves. This info is crucial when deciding whether to call, raise, or fold.

Online casino Texas poker: How to sign up at Bitcasino

Do you want to play Texas Hold’em without hassle? If so, Bitcasino is the right place for you. At the site, you can play Texas Hold’em using crypto for fast and secure gaming sessions.

Bitcasino is also mobile-compatible, so you can play Texas Hold’em and other popular casino games on the go. Just sign up to access the site’s plethora of gaming selections.

Top poker games to play at Bitcasino

As one of the leading crypto casinos in the industry, Bitcasino offers a plethora of casino gaming selections including popular poker variations from the game provider, OneTouch. Some of the best ones you shouldn't miss playing are:

Texas Hold’em Poker High Roller

In this variation of Texas Hold'em, form the best five-card hand using two cards dealt face down and five community cards dealt face up in the centre of the table. The game features fast and high-stakes gameplay and an RTP of 99.11%.

Texas Hold’em Poker High Roller allows you to place side bets on the outcome of the hand, such as whether they will get a straight, flush, or royal flush. If you want to bet big and are looking for quick poker action, this game is for you. 

High Hand Holdem Poker High

This is a simplified version of Texas Hold'em, where you only bet on the strength of your final five-card hand, regardless of whether you win the main game against the dealer. The game allows for faster gameplay and more betting opportunities, offering an RTP of 99.11%

In Between Poker 

Unlike other poker games where you need to form the best hand, In Between Poker focuses on just one card: the middle card dealt by the dealer. The game starts as the dealer reveals three cards: two on the sides and one face down in the middle.

The suspense builds as the middle card is slowly revealed using a squeeze animation similar to baccarat. In Between Poker has an RTP of 94.59% and offers a simple yet exciting poker action.

Play and win big using crypto at poker games at Bitcasino

If you're looking for an exciting and rewarding Texas Hold’em poker experience, look no further than Bitcasino. Here, you have numerous opportunities to play and win big in poker games using popular coins like Bitcoin (BTC). By using crypto, you can enjoy the benefits of fast and secure transactions, ensuring your funds are safe and your gaming experience is seamless.

FAQs about Texas Hold’em 

Learn more about Texas Hold’em with these frequently asked questions:

What is the best hand in Texas Hold'em?

The best hand in Texas Hold'em is the royal flush, consisting of the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the same suit.

What wins in Texas Hold'em?

In Texas Hold'em, the hand that wins is determined by the hand rankings. Three of the strongest hands are royal flush, straight flush, and four-of-a-kind.