Basic Limit Texas Hold Em....The Better StructureYou may play a lot of poker, but the betting terms and structure of a limit Texas Hold Em game can be pretty confusing, and may even stop you from sitting down to make a play. Fortunately, the game is simple to learn (although hard to master!) and the betting structure is very comprehensible.
Remember, when practicing basic limit Texas Hold Em techniques, be sure to check out StraightFlush.com online.
Limit Texas Hold Em games will be capped within certain betting amounts, representing the only possible betting intervals in various rounds. For example, in a 1$/2$ game, the first two rounds are played with bets or raises of only 1$ intervals possible, and the last two rounds of betting are played with bets of only 2$ intervals possible. Additionally, in each of the four rounds of betting, only four raises are possible. The maximum possible individual betting total in a game of 1$/2$ limit Texas Hold Em is $24.
What are the blinds?
Limit Texas Hold Em games have four rounds of betting, and the betting is started by the two players seated to the left of the dealer. The person immediately to the left of the dealer is in the small blind, and the person seated to the left of the small blind is in the big blind. These two players are required to start the betting, and will bet before the hands are dealt. The bets required are ½ the maximum raise for the small blind, and the maximum raise for the big blind. In a 1$/2$ game, the small blind would bet 50 cents, and the big blind would bet $1. Being in either of the blinds positions is considered a disadvantage, and as such the blinds will rotate around the table, with every player taking their fair share of plays from the blinds. Bets from the blinds occur before the cards are dealt, and are compulsory.
There are four betting rounds in a limit Texas Hold Em game, and they are pre flop, at the flop, at the turn and down the river.
Pre flop betting
Pre flop betting refers to the betting that occurs after each player has received their two cards, but none of the five shared cards on the table are yet shown. The betting was begun by the players in the blinds, and as such the player immediately to the left of the big blind will begin the betting before the flop. Each player has the option at this point to fold, call or raise, and if they choose to raise, they can raise only the betting interval of the round, which is $1. Only four raises are allowed per betting session. When the play returns to the player in the big blind, they have the opportunity to fold, call or raise (as long as four raises have not yet been made). If no one has raised, then the player in the big blind can call without adding any additional chips, as they have already bet their $1.
Betting at the flop
At the flop, 3 of the 5 shared cards on the table are exposed, and the betting begins at the small blind position. The player in the small blind can check or bet, and the betting proceeds around the table with a maximum of four raises possible. The raises in this second round are capped at a maximum of $1. Each player may check (if no raises have been made) fold, call or raise.
Betting at the turn
At the turn, one more card is exposed, leaving 4 of the 5 shared cards on the table shown. The betting proceeds in the same manner as for the previous round, but the betting intervals are raised, and all bets must be in intervals of $2.
Betting down the river
At the river, the last card is exposed, and betting again progresses with $2 bets, and a maximum of four raises possible. After betting has finished, all cards are shown, and the player with the best hand (using the best 5 cards out of their two and the 5 shared) is the winner and takes the pot.
The betting structure is very easily understood, but if you've never played online Texas Hold Em, make sure you play a few very low stakes games, and get comfortable with the action, before moving up to the better pots, and the tougher players.
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Byron Badd, Gambling911.com
Originally published July 28, 2007 10:25 am ET
