Texas Hole em poker

**Executionor** · 12.02.06, 06:07 PM

Hey guys, I am embarrassed to say, but I don't know how to play Texas hold em poker. We have a big city party coming up and are going to hold a big poker tournament and it should be a lot of fun, but I have no idea how to play this particular brand of poker. I have played pitch, hearts, spades, black jack...on and on, but not Texas Hold em.

Are there any good websites or computer games that I can get to learn off of? I want to be at least pretty versed on how to play. There is a group of guys that are regular players that I would like to be able to keep up with. I have even seen where you can play it online...Any sites or advice would be great!

Thanks!

**billy007** · 12.02.06, 08:01 PM

Poker advice:

"You got to know when to hold 'em
know when to fold 'em
know when to open a roasted chicken franchise
know when to run..."

I love poker, and Texas Hold 'Em is a form of poker. Can be fun, can be frustrating. Remember, you only get 2 cards that are different from everyone else, the other 5 are community cards, so if those first two cards are shit, then I wouldn't be too aggressive unless you're a hell of a bluffer and are playing with people who can be bluffed.

Everyone gets two cards, then you decide to either bet or fold. Then three cards are flipped and everyone uses them and the two cards in their hand to make their best hand and another round of betting ensues. Then repeat for one more card, and again for a fifth card. The remaining players play their best 5 cards between the 5 on the table and the two in their hand - winner takes it all.

As I said, it can be frustrating - last week I was playing with my brother-in-law and I had two fives and the first card to come up on the table was a five. When all was said and done, I had a full house - 5s over 6s. Felt I was in decent shape, even with the low cards. Oh, did I mention my brother-in-law made me go all in after the 4th card? Last card comes down, and we show our stuff, and wouldn't you know it he had a full house - 6s over 3s. Some guys have all the luck.

**Nostalgia Act** · 12.02.06, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Executionor

Hey guys, I am embarrassed to say, but I don't know how to play Texas hold em poker. We have a big city party coming up and are going to hold a big poker tournament and it should be a lot of fun, but I have no idea how to play this particular brand of poker. I have played pitch, hearts, spades, black jack...on and on, but not Texas Hold em.

Are there any good websites or computer games that I can get to learn off of? I want to be at least pretty versed on how to play. There is a group of guys that are regular players that I would like to be able to keep up with. I have even seen where you can play it online...Any sites or advice would be great!

Thanks!

Check out texasholdem.com. btw if you are playing for money, then just take
what you are willing to lose.Being new at the game usually means that you will. Just have fun. good luck.

**Dan Halen** · 12.02.06, 10:58 PM

I'm a poker addict. I enjoy playing all of the games but the one I play the most is Hold 'em. My advice would be to go to www.fulltiltpoker.com, download the software, and read how to play. You can practice with play money to get the hang of it. I take it the tournament you're going to play in will be no-limit, so I'd get accustomed to that. For a beginner, I'd say mostly play tight and try to get all of your money in with the best hand.

**jimmy812** · 12.03.06, 08:15 AM

I, too, have played a lot of poker. Since Texas Hold 'Em is a game that just about everyone knows, it's the one that I probably play the most.
As you are probably aware there are a ton of sites that can help you learn teh game, but nothing replaces the real thing. If there was a way to practice with some friends first that would help a bit.
Just remember to stay focused and, since it is your first time, you should try to be more conservative early on, until you've gotten a feel for how things are and how people are playing. I wouldn't advise doing much bluffing right now.
Really the only way to learn is to play it often. You could read everything online and take in every word of advice that we have and it still probably wouldn't matter.
Good luck.

**Ryder5150** · 12.03.06, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Dan Halen

I'm a poker addict. I enjoy playing all of the games but the one I play the most is Hold 'em. My advice would be to go to www.fulltiltpoker.com, download the software, and read how to play. You can practice with play money to get the hang of it. I take it the tournament you're going to play in will be no-limit, so I'd get accustomed to that. For a beginner, I'd say mostly play tight and try to get all of your money in with the best hand.

I am a Hold'em addict as well. My wife and I host Poker nights every weekend and we usually have a minimum of eight players. I won a decent pot last night ha ha ha

**Executionor** · 12.03.06, 02:24 PM

Hey thanks for all of the info guys! I downloaded the fulltilt software and am setting it up now. My wife and I use to hold card nights all of the time before we had kids and had a ton of fun with it. The boys are getting old enough now that they would have fun with it so we might just start doing it again.

At the city party, we will be given a certain amount of cash and then we can play with that and try to win more to be able to bid on some cool prizes at the end of the night.

Thanks again!

**Dan Halen** · 12.03.06, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by jimmy812

Really the only way to learn is to play it often. You could read everything online and take in every word of advice that we have and it still probably wouldn't matter.

Well, I would say that books can help start you in the right direction. If you don't have a good foundation of knowledge you may end up losing more in the beginning than you would have.

A good book for beginning Hold 'em players is "Hold 'em Poker" by David Sklansky. It's a quick and easy read and gives you an idea of what to consider at the table. Granted, it's specifically for limit hold 'em cash games, but there are many books written on tournament poker.

Extensive study, discussing hands, and lots of experience should make you a winning player.

**perticelli** · 12.03.06, 03:43 PM

Dan, what is ur name on FT?
Im Perticelli55 and i play all the time. Im also in a hold em bar league...

First question is: Are you playing a cash game or a tournement? They are the same game, technically, but played very differently, in terms of strategy.

Once u get hooked up on FT, let us know ur name and we can play some free tourneys w/ you, help u along..

Be careful, its incredibly addicting.
We've even talked about a VHLinks table at FT...hopefully we can get a regular game going on FT...

For now, i'll post a link shortly for a regular thurs. night game on FT. its tourney and is $10+$1...lots of good players, some pro's and some surprise guests as well. This game is everyother wk and is @ 100 playrs.

Ill post a link shortly for those who are interested.

**perticelli** · 12.03.06, 04:06 PM

Ok.
here is the Tourney number:

9376775

Go to private tab and you'll find it listed by the number, for Thurs. Dec. 14 at 10 pm est. Usually over by 12 or so..
If you want the password to get in, PM me. If there's enough of you, i'll just post the password..
wait, why waste time?
the password is "riverchasers"

Hope to see u there and on FT...lretsd get a regular game going...i know VS is interested..Who else?

**jimmy812** · 12.03.06, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Halen

Well, I would say that books can help start you in the right direction. If you don't have a good foundation of knowledge you may end up losing more in the beginning than you would have.

Extensive study, discussing hands, and lots of experience should make you a winning player.

Yeah I would agree that having a good foundation of knowledge is the way for a beginner to be somewhat successful. And I naturally agree that not having that knowledge sets you up for losing more. But I strongly believe that nothing replaces the knowledge gained from actually playing. I guess I'm just more of a "hands on" guy, and doing all that reading about cards, which isn't a bad thing, just isn't really for me.

**Executionor** · 12.03.06, 08:16 PM

Forgive my ignorance, but this is a free site, this Fulltilt right? I have almost gotten done signing up, BUT I do not want 10 jillion spam emails and don't want to get into the real money thing. I am stoked, but it is usually late at night b4 I can get on here to play. I think this could be a blast. Regular linkers hold 'em games. too cool.

Thanks again!

**KRAMER5150** · 12.03.06, 08:55 PM

i dont get it

**Dan Halen** · 12.04.06, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by Executionor

Forgive my ignorance, but this is a free site, this Fulltilt right? I have almost gotten done signing up, BUT I do not want 10 jillion spam emails and don't want to get into the real money thing. I am stoked, but it is usually late at night b4 I can get on here to play. I think this could be a blast. Regular linkers hold 'em games. too cool.

Thanks again!

Full Tilt is a free site, but you can deposit real money and play with it if you want. It's one of the top poker sites around. You might get a newsletter but it's easy to unsubscribe from.

**Dan Halen** · 12.04.06, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by jimmy812

Yeah I would agree that having a good foundation of knowledge is the way for a beginner to be somewhat successful. And I naturally agree that not having that knowledge sets you up for losing more. But I strongly believe that nothing replaces the knowledge gained from actually playing. I guess I'm just more of a "hands on" guy, and doing all that reading about cards, which isn't a bad thing, just isn't really for me.

That's cool. I enjoy reading about poker and hearing the different opinions of top pros. You can pick up new strategies and try them out for yourself and be more prepared for situations that you'll encounter a lot.