Why Its So Popular To Play Holdem Poker

Why is playing holdem poker so popular today? Most experts agree that the game Texas Holdem owes its popularity to the television series, The World Series of Poker, that rose from its humble beginnings during the 1960s to be one of the top-rated entertainment programs of the 2000s.

Whatever the reason, Holdem poker is enjoying a wave of popularity. Low-stakes (and high stakes) betting on poker is considered socially acceptable, as home games have sprung up all over cities and suburbs.

In areas where gambling is legal, like Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, and many Indian owned casinos, the poker rooms are the busiest place on the casino floor, with tables full of gamblers playing Holdem poker around the clock.

How The Game Is Played

Ideally, players are seated at a table for ten with one dealer. The two players immediately left of the dealer ante up for the whole table. They are called the "blinds" because they bet "blind" - i.e., without seeing any cards.

Each player is then dealt two cards face-down; this is the player's hand. Each player places a bet, raises a bet, or folds, depending on the strength of their hands. The top 10 hands in poker are Ace King, Ace Queen, and pairs of cards, Ace high to seven low, known as "pocket pairs" because only the player can see them.

A player in holdem poker who is dealt any of these hands should bet and raise from a position of strength, to see who else at the table has a strong hand.

Next, the community cards are dealt, face-up, one at a time. Individuals with hands still in play can check, bet, raise, or fold, based on whether their hand was helped or harmed by the community cards.

Some tables impose a betting limit on these bets and raises. At "no limit" tables, players can go "all in," creating some of the most exciting and dramatic moments in holdem poker play.

Top Ten Hands

The ranking of the top ten hands is as follows:

1st ……  A A
2nd …… A K
3rd ……. K K
4th ……. Q Q
5th ……. J J
6th ……. A Q
7th …….10 10
8th ……. 9 9
9th ……. 8 8
10th ……. 7 7

A player with pocket sevens, obviously, risks being beat by any of the other top hands. A player who raises the pocket-seven bet may well have a top ten hand, or could be bluffing, or could be an inexperienced player who doesn't know what he or she is doing.

It is this element of being able to "read" the other players at the table that raises holdem poker play from a game of sheer luck to a game that combines luck with skill, psychology, and intuition.

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