In NL Texas Hold'em, as few as 2 (heads up) or as many as 10 players can play at a table. Here are the basic rules:
**In each game, the first person to the left of the dealer has to post the "small blind". This is 1/2 the minimum bet. The person to the left of the small blind has to post the "big blind", or 1 minimum bet.
**Each player will be dealt 2 cards face down (the "hole cards"). Play begins with the player immediately to the left of the big blind, who may fold, call, or raise (the small and big blinds do count as bets). Play continues around the table, and does not stop until every player who is still in the hand has placed the same amount of money into the pot.
**Three community cards are then dealt face up. These cards may be used by everyone at the table. This is called the "flop". Players may then check (if no one has bet so far), call (if there is a bet to be called), bet/raise, or fold. When everyone who is still in the hand has placed the same amount of money into the pot, the next community card is dealt face up.
**The fourth community card is called the turn. Another round of betting takes place.
**The fifth community card is called the river. After the final round of betting takes place, players still in the hand reveal their hole cards, and whichever player can form the best 5-card hand between their hole cards and the 5 community cards, wins the pot.
**At any point in the hand, a player may go "all in", or bet all of his/her chips. If the bet is called, a "side pot" is created, which is for every player who still has chips and wants to bet more. The "main pot" can be won at anyone at the table, the "side pot" is only for those who bet into the side pot.
OK everyone, here's your basic strategy:
- **TIGHT IS RIGHT. It might be a little boring, but it will win you the most chips, and lose you the fewest. You do not want to enter any hand unless you have a strong drawing hand (i.e., 2 high cards or suited connectors, cards like 8clubs-9clubs), or a mid-high pair (88+).
- **BE AGGRESSIVE. You want to get every chip possible when you do hold the best hand. The only way you can do this (with some exceptions) is by betting out with your strong hands. If you don't bet out, 1 of 2 things can happen:
- You don't gain every chip possible
- You allow your opponent to cheaply draw out on you
- **USE POSITION TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. When you are in late position (i.e., one of the last to acts in the hand), you can afford to play more hands - as you will know how your opponents have acted. This means if you sense weakness in them (checks or very weak bets), you can bet/raise them, and they will probably fold. When you are in early position (one of the blinds or close to them), you can't afford to play as many hands, as there are more potential players who could raise you, and force you to fold a mediocre hand.
