What is Texas Hold’em Poker?
Texas Hold’em is poker’s crown jewel – a game where strategy meets opportunity. Players receive two private cards and combine them with five community cards to create hands. Born in Texas and popularized through prestigious events like the World Series of Poker, it’s become the go-to game for both casual players and professionals.
What makes Hold’em special is balance. The game is simple to learn, yet endlessly deep in strategy. Most players prefer 6 to 9-handed tables for the optimal mix of action and skill, though you’ll find everything from heads-up battles to full-ring games in our diverse online poker lobby.
How to Play Texas Hold’em
How to Win
Show a Stronger Combination
When multiple players reach showdown, the best five-card poker hand wins. You can use any combination of your hole cards and the community cards to create your strongest hand. Understanding what beats what in Texas Hold'em is essential – from high card to royal flushes, every hand has a place in the ranking. Successful players know when to go for maximum value with strong hands.
Bet and Force Opponents to Fold
The beauty of Texas Hold'em? You don't always need the best hand to win. If your opponent thinks you have a good poker hand, they might want to save their chips and fold. Strategic betting and well-timed bluffs can convince opponents to fold better hands. The best players find perfect bluffing opportunities by considering the board, their opponents, and their own table image.
Hold'em Stakes
| Stakes | Blinds | Default Buy-In | Rake % | Rake Cap (2-3) | Rake Cap (4+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.01 / $0.02 | $0.50 | 5% | $0.10 | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | $1 | $0.25 | $0.50 | ||
| $0.05 / $0.10 | $2 | $0.50 | $1 | ||
| $0.10 / $0.25 | $5 | $1 | $2 |
| Stakes | Blinds | Default Buy-In | Rake % | Rake Cap (2-3) | Rake Cap (4+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.01 / $0.02 | $0.50 | 5% | $0.10 | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | $1 | $0.25 | $0.50 | ||
| $0.05 / $0.10 | $2 | $0.50 | $1 | ||
| $0.10 / $0.25 | $5 | $1 | $2 |
| Stakes | Blinds | Default Buy-In | Rake % | Rake Cap (2-3) | Rake Cap (4+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.01 / $0.02 | $0.50 | 5% | $0.10 | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | $1 | $0.25 | $0.50 | ||
| $0.05 / $0.10 | $2 | $0.50 | $1 | ||
| $0.10 / $0.25 | $5 | $1 | $2 |
| Stakes | Blinds | Default Buy-In | Rake % | Rake Cap (2-3) | Rake Cap (4+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.01 / $0.02 | $0.50 | 5% | $0.10 | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | $1 | $0.25 | $0.50 | ||
| $0.05 / $0.10 | $2 | $0.50 | $1 | ||
| $0.10 / $0.25 | $5 | $1 | $2 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | |
|---|---|
| Default Buy-in | $0.50 |
| Rake | 5% |
| Rake Cap (2-3) | $0.10 |
| Rake Cap (4+) | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | |
|---|---|
| Default Buy-in | $0.50 |
| Rake | 5% |
| Rake Cap (2-3) | $0.10 |
| Rake Cap (4+) | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | |
|---|---|
| Default Buy-in | $0.50 |
| Rake | 5% |
| Rake Cap (2-3) | $0.10 |
| Rake Cap (4+) | $0.20 |
| $0.01 / $0.02 | |
|---|---|
| Default Buy-in | $0.50 |
| Rake | 5% |
| Rake Cap (2-3) | $0.10 |
| Rake Cap (4+) | $0.20 |
Texas Hold’em Hand Rankings
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker. It consists of the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all in the same suit.
Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is a powerful hand made up of five consecutive cards, all from the same suit.
4 of a Kind
Also know as "Quads", Four of a Kind is a strong hand that includes four cards of the same rank, plus one additional card that doesn't match.
Full House
A Full House is a strong hand made up of a three-of-a-kind and a pair, meaning you have three cards of one rank and two cards of another.
Flush
A Flush is a hand where all five cards are from the same suit, but they don't have to be in any specific order.
Straight
A Straight is a hand with five consecutive cards, not all in the same suit.
3 of a Kind
Three of a Kind is a hand that has three cards of the same rank, along with two unrelated cards.
2 Pair
A Two Pair hand consists of two cards of one rank, and another two cards of a different rank.
1 Pair
A One Pair hand has two cards of the same rank, along with three other cards that are all different from each other and from the pair.
High Card
A High Card hand is a mix of five cards that don't form any of the other hand types.
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Texas Hold’em Strategy
Want to elevate your game? Focus on these key areas:
- Master Position Play: Your seat at the table matters more than most realize. Late position gives you more information and control, leading to better decisions.
- Perfect Your Bluffing: Successful bluffs tell a convincing story through your betting patterns. Choose your spots when the board and opponent tendencies align.
- Value Bet Effectively: With strong hands, extract maximum value by considering your opponent’s likely holdings and calling ranges. Learn more about value betting here.
- Pick the Best Texas Holdem Starting Hands: Begin with premium hands and gradually expand your poker hand range as you gain experience. Position and table dynamics should influence your selection.
Want more tips? Level up your game with our essential beginner poker strategies.
Once you’re ready to take the next step, check out our advanced poker strategies for essential tips for pros.
Learn more about No Limit Texas Hold’em.
Not at all! We offer completely free games called “freerolls” where you can practice as much as you want. You’ll get virtual chips to play with, and our freerolls even offer real prizes. It’s the perfect way to learn without any pressure.
Unlike traditional card games where you only use your own cards, Texas Hold’em lets everyone share some of the cards on the table. This makes the game exciting because you can see part of what everyone might have, but not everything. It’s easy to learn but offers plenty of room to develop your skills.
Download CoinPoker, make your first deposit (or join a freeroll), and start with low-stakes tables while learning the fundamentals. Our platform offers a smooth onboarding experience with various game formats suitable for beginners.
Be patient and selective with your starting hands. Think of it like building a house – you need a solid foundation. Start by playing only your best cards, and wait until you have a good position at the table (meaning you act after most other players). This simple approach will help you avoid many common beginner mistakes.
While basic rules take minutes to learn, developing a strong Texas Hold’em strategy requires practice and dedication. Start with our beginner tables and progress at your own pace. Most players see significant improvement within a few months of consistent play.