Texas Holdem - How to play, Tips and Strategies

How to Play
The casino dealer deals out two cards, face down, one at a time to each player.
After all players receive their two cards, there is a round of betting. Options are call, raise or fold.
Checking is not allowed on this round, known as blind betting.
The dealer then reveals three cards face up in the center of the table. This is known as the flop.
Another round of betting follows. The dealer places a fourth card face up, known as the turn, on the table
followed by a betting round.
The fifth and final card, known as the river, is placed by the dealer face up in the middle of the table,
and this is the final round of betting.
Players choose their best five-card hand among seven cards to include two cards dealt face down
at the beginning of the game plus the five community cards in the middle of the layout.
The winning hand is the highest poker hand.

Strategies and Tips:
Continue playing with strong starting cards if first two cards are two aces, two kings, two queens,
and A-K or A-Q suited. Also any two cards higher than 10.
Fold if you have a pair less than sevens.
You should look for lower cards in the flop than the rank of your pair.
Holding a lock hand likely to win (e.g., full house) requires a strategy to keep other
players in the round, thereby building your win.
Strong hands require aggressive play by raising and trying to remove players who could draw out (bad hands becoming good hands).
If you feel your hand has become second best do you fold.
Marginal hands that may improve should only be played carefully by either checking
or nominal betting.

Position and Starting Hand:
Your Hold ‘em position in relation to the dealer’s button deserves the most attention when considering strategy for the game.
Early position: is disadvantage player as you do not know what the other players wagering will be.
When you are in late position, you have already witnessed the other players’ wagering
A starting hand that would be tossed in early position could be the same hand you would raise in late position.
Before the flop, the person to the left of the big blind bets first.
After the flop, the first active player to the left of the dealer button acts first.
If you are in early position, you will remain there for all betting rounds.

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