Ultimate Guide to Texas Hold'em for Beginners
By Cyril Feest | June 13, 2025
Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker variant worldwide, and for good reason. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to start playing and competing at the tables.
The Basic Rules
Each player receives two private cards (hole cards), and five community cards are dealt face-up on the board. Players make the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards.
Hand Rankings
Understanding hand rankings is fundamental. From highest to lowest: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
The Betting Rounds
Texas Hold'em features four betting rounds: Pre-flop (after hole cards are dealt), Flop (after three community cards), Turn (after fourth community card), and River (after fifth community card).
Position Matters
Your position at the table significantly impacts your strategy. Late position (closer to the dealer button) provides more information about opponents' actions before you must decide.
Starting Hand Selection
Not all hands are created equal. Premium hands like AA, KK, QQ, and AK should be played aggressively, while weaker holdings often warrant folding, especially from early positions.
Basic Strategy Tips
Play tight and aggressive as a beginner. This means playing fewer hands but betting and raising when you do play. Avoid calling too much—either bet/raise or fold.
Reading the Board
Learn to evaluate the community cards and consider what hands your opponents might hold. Watch for potential straights, flushes, and paired boards that could strengthen opponents' hands.
Bankroll Management
Never play with money you can't afford to lose. A standard recommendation is to have at least 20-30 buy-ins for the stakes you play to handle natural variance.
Conclusion
Texas Hold'em combines skill, psychology, and strategy. Start with these fundamentals, practice regularly, and continually study to improve your game over time.