Well, you’ve read this far and haven’t learned a thing about strategy, technique, what a flop is, etc. etc. etc. Now it is time to impart some knowledge. I am going to assume that you know how to play. If not, I will touch on it briefly.

Actually, you should just head to the Play Money area mentioned above and learn the game. Or turn on ESPN or ESPN2 and look for WSOP re-runs. For those that still don’t know, here is a very simple way of explaining Hold ‘em.

There are up to 10 people at a table. The dealer “button” goes around the table in a clockwise motion. The player sitting to the left of the player with the button is in the small blind, and the player to the left of him is in the big blind. The small blind, and the big blind pay in. The small blind is ½ as much as the big blind.

Everyone is then dealt 2 cards face down. There is a round of betting starting with the player “under the gun”, or, to the left of the big blind. Once all bets are made and called, three cards are dealt face up on the table. This is the flop. All the cards face-up are community cards and can be used by all players.

Another round of betting. A fourth card is then turned up. This is the turn card. Or 4th street. Another round of betting. Then the 5th and final card. This is the river card, as in; your hopes just went down the river. Also known as 5th street. Another round of betting.

If there are any folks left with cards, they turn them over to see who won. Simple game.

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