Basic

Though Holdem looks and plays very simply, many experts agree that it is the most complex of poker games.
Due to its complexity, the game can be kind or harsh to beginners and grizzled old warriors alike.
The action is fast an furious, with more players, bets, raises and re-raises than many other typical
poker games.
Winners win big, losers lose big.
These factors are the essence of what makes Texas Holdem so enjoyable, and therefore the King at the Casino.
The following is intended to be a basic introduction to and strategy for playing no limit Texas Holdem.

The Button

The button represents the dealer.
The button moves clockwise around the table after each hand, and the player “on the button” gets his cards last and bets last in each round. Keeping up with the current location of the button is a huge consideration when determining positional strategy.

The Blinds

To force the action holdem uses blinds.
The first 2 players to the left of the button are forced to put in the blind bets.
Typically, the first player puts in the small blind, equal to half of the minimum bet, while the second player puts in the big blind, equal to a full minimum bet. For example, in a game of 25/50 blinds, the small blind would be 25 and the big blind would be 50.

The Deal and Betting Rounds

Starting with the first player to the left of the button, each player is dealt 2 cards, face down, called pocket or hole cards.
The first two players to the left of the button posts the blinds (small & big), and the first round of betting starts.
The first action after the deal is taken by the player to the left of the big blind.
He and subsequent players can choose to call the big blinds bet, fold or raise.
Texas Holdem games, the blinds are live which means that in the first round of betting, they get a chance to call, check or raise when the action moves around to them.
The big blind would be the last player to act after the dealing of the pocket cards.

The Flop

The flop is 3 cards laid face up in the center of the table. These cards serve as common cards. Another round of betting ensues, with the first remaining player to the left of the button starting the action.

The Turn
A single card is laid face up, next to the flop, for a total of 4 cards face up.
Another betting round occurs, starting with the first player remaining to the left of the button.

The River

A final card is turned face up, bringing the total number of common cards face up on the board to 5.
A final round of betting occurs, starting with the first player remaining to the left of the button.

Showdown

After betting is complete and if more than two players remain, a showdown occurs in which the winner is determined by the best five card hand possible using the 5 common cards and each players' pocket cards.
It is entirely possible for the best hand to be completely “on the board,” in which case the remaining players split the pot.
It is also possible to have a “split pot” in which the players with the same hand strengths split the pot.
After the showdown, the button moves one person clockwise, and the next hand is dealt.

Dealing

The dealer deals two cards to each player (pocket or hole cards), after that round of betting has been completed, the dealer then burns the top card (the top card is placed face down on the table.
The flop is dealt, three cards are placed in the centre of the table face up.
After that round of betting has been completed, the dealer again burns one card (face down) and the turn card is dealt face up at the side of the flop cards.
After that round of betting has been completed, the dealer again burns one card (face down) and the river card is dealt.
After that round of betting has been completed, the best hand wins the pot.

It is up to the dealer to control the game.

Royal Flush - 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, all of the same suit.

Straight Flush - Any five cards in succession, all of the same suit. (ie. 8-9-10-Jack-Queen, all of hearts)

4 of a Kind - Four of the same card, ie. Ace-Ace-Ace-Ace. The 5th card doesn't matter, and in case of 2 players with 4 of a kind, the higher ranking 4 of a kind wins the pot. 4 Aces beats 4 kings.

Full House - 3 of a kind plus a pair, as in King-King-King-5-5. This would be expressed as “full house, kings over fives.“ On the other hand, 5-5-5-King-King would be expressed “full house, fives over kings.“ In the case of two or more players with full house, the winner is decided by who has the highest “3 of a kind“ portion of the hand. 10-10-10-2-2 would beat 8-8-8-Ace-Ace. The pair means nothing, the 3 matching cards determine your rank, and in this example, 10 is obviously higher than 8. Sometimes, a full house is called a “boat.“

Flush - Any 5 cards of the same suit. A flush is referred to by its high card. King-5-8-Jack-2 of hearts would be called a “flush, king high.“ In the case of two or more flushes at showdown, the flush with the highest ranking card wins.

Straight - 5 cards in succession, any suit. In the case of two straights, the one with the highest ranking top card wins. Straight, 10 through Ace beats any other straight.

3 of a Kind - 3 of any matching card, 7-7-7, etc. The 4th and 5th cards are meaningless. In the case of two of these hand at showdown, the higher ranking 3 of a kind wins. 3 of a kind is often referred to as “trips.“

2 Pair - Any 2 pair, with the rank determined by the top pair. Kings and 2's beats Queens and Jacks. In case of a tie, ( two players hold queens and jacks), then the winner is determined by the 5th card, called the “kicker.“ Whoever holds the higher ranking 5th card wins the pot.

1 Pair - One pair of any card. In case of a tie (two players hold Aces), the winner is determined by who holds the highest kicker or kickers. A pair of 8's queen kicker beats a pair of 8's, jack kicker.

High Card - In the case of no pairs, the player with the highest ranking card wins.

Playing Style:

In my opinion the fastest way to establishing yourself as a poker player is to develop a playing style based on your experience and natural talent.
Sit down and think about your strengths as a player.
Are you good at bluffing or a particularly cautious player, Take those characteristics that work for you and use them to develop a playing style.
That doesn't mean that you have to play in a consistent therefore predictable manner, rather you establish a clear idea of the kind of player you want to be and move towards that ideal.
Stay flexible and focussed.

Try to watch every player on the table, some players will disguise their playing style but many will reveal the way they play very quickly.
Knowing how others play is likely to increase your chances of winning.

Strategy:

Before you start playing in any game think about your strategy, your own style and the playing conditions; what standard are the other players, how many are there, who's playing tight and who's playing loose.

Hand Selection:

Play the hand consistent with your strategy, try to assess the odds of winning on a statistical basis taking into account your assessment of your opponents.
Bet appropriately based on your chances of winning, unless you want to bluff (see below) and don't over commit on a weak hand with several opponents left in the game.

Bluffing:

With enough practice even players of modest ability may be able to bluff effectively.
Bluffing is an important part of poker but can be costly if you get it wrong.
Your bluffing should not be predictable to other players and must be apposite to the game, big bluffs for small pots may be a waste of your money.
Remember the greater the number of players left in the more likely someone will call your bluff.
Don't forget the double bluff and assume your opponents know how to play until you see evidence to the contrary.

The Flop:

Until you have developed a clear playing style of your own, play your pre-flop cards very cautiously. Only raise with good cards (unless you want to bluff), taking into account the quality of your opponents and the size of the pot, also consider that too much heat will usually scare off the weak hands.