Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Your Intro to Basic Holdem Poker Jargon

Every sport has its own set of rules and regulations, but they also have something that can be more complicated than that: jargon. The terminology being used in any sport can leave new players a little bit baffled while they're trying to learn the ropes. Whether you're playing with your buddies, in casinos, or at sites like Caesars Online, you're going to need to know at least the basics. Here's your introduction to the more important poker jargon.

One of the most important things to know when you sit down at the table is what "blinds" are. These are the bets that you are required to pay to play at the table. Only two players are required to bet each round (the "big blind" and the "small blind"). The person to the left of the dealer is the small blind and the person to the left of the small blind is the big blind. The exact amounts of small and big blind (the required bets) will vary from game to game.

Once blinds are played, everyone gets two cards. These cards are called the hole cards, and they represent the hidden (and obviously most important) part of the game.

The first round of betting is called "pre-flop betting." This is when players place their initial bets, based solely on their hole cards. There's no additional information until after the first round of betting. In no limit holdem (NLH), betting has literally no limits, even in this round. In limit holdem, there are much stricter rules about what can be bet in this first round.

Once this first round of betting is done, cards begin showing up on "the board." The board is all the cards that are shared by all players to make the best five card hand. Between each round of cards being placed on the board, new rounds of betting will occur.

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