The Best Texas Hold'em Poker Sites

Texas Hold’em is hands down the most popular game in online poker sites.  Below is an overview of the best Texas Hold’em websites:

An Overview of Texas Hold’em

You’d be surprised to learn that Texas Hold’em has been in existence since the early 90s. Though its one of the most popular games in the world, it only started to gain a strong following as late as the 2000s.

Unlike other poker games such as 5-card draw and 7-Card Stud, Texas Hold’em makes use of community cards which make it impossible to count cards.
You are only allowed two cards on the first draw which act as your “hole cards”. This allows the game to be more accessible to newbies.

Doyle Brunson, the famous poker legend, at one point described No-Limit Hold’em as being poker’s “Cadillac”. It’s not surprising given the excitement derived from playing this game. It is also quite easy to learn.

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How to Play Texas Hold'em

The game is played by a minimum of 2 players and a maximum of 10 on a table. At the onset, each player is dealt two cards. The two cards are placed face down. Thereafter, the players can combine them with the following 5 cards that are dealt with the aim of creating the best 5-card poker hand.

In order to win, you don’t need to hold the best hand. You could win by bluffing your opponent to give up a hand using a bet.
There are up to 4 betting rounds in a full hand of the game. These include:

  • After the Deal
  • After the Flop
  • After the turn card is dealt
  • After the river is dealt


In every round, participants are given the choice of calling, raising, betting, folding or checking. This largely depends on the action before them as well as the sitting arrangement at the table.

Texas Hold’em is in every sense a “position-based” poker game. This implies that the game takes on a particular playing order,  an approach to the manner in which you ought to play poker in every position with respect to the dealer as well as 2 forced bets to begin the action during each round.

These are referred to as the “big blind” and the “small blind” (usually half the big blind), and should be put into the pot prior to the hand.

Over the course of a round of hands, the positions are bound to rotate hence the need to put in a big blind and a small blind.

If you need some help going forward you should check out our Texas Hold’em for Beginners Strategy Section.

Why Texas Hold’em Is So Popular

The minute you start playing poker at the top poker websites, you will realize that more than 80 percent of all the games being played are No-Limit Texas Hold’em. Below are the reasons for this;

- This is largely because of the simplicity of the game. It’s easy for newbies to get a grip on the fundamentals. Moreover, this game has received massive exposure   on TV over the last few years.

- The game works better than most online since it is much faster and can be played with several tables all open at the same time.

- Due to its simplicity the competition is not as stiff as in the more complicated games.


While the 4 card version of Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, has grown in popularity, it’s unlikely to reach the same level.

Making Your Hand In Texas Hold’em

To make your hand, you only need to follow a few basic rules:

- From the 7 cards dealt, you can only use 5. However, you can use them in any combination you deem fit.

- You are at your final hand when the best 5 card hand you can make is with all the 5 cards lying on the board.

- You could use 1 hole from your own hand as well as 4 from the board. Alternatively, you can use 3 from the board and 2 from your hand.


Definition of Terms

Blinds:

Also referred to as “blind bets”, they are forced bets usually made just before any cards are dealt. In place of the “ante” in 7-Card Stud, Hold’em uses blinds.

Button:

This is the nickname given to the player that acts as the dealer in a particular hand. It could also be used in reference to the physical dealer button that is used for identifying the current dealer.

Burn Card:

This is the first card to be dealt before the community cards. It’s usually dealt facedown.

Check:

Comparable to a “call” but without any bet made. Whenever no raise or bet is made, the next player is allowed to check.

Fish or Donkey:

A lousy player.

Fifth Street:

Another definition of river.

Flop:

The first three community cards dealt.

Fourth Street:

See Turn.

Pre-flop:

this is anything that takes place before a flop.

River:

This is the last community card that is dealt.

Showdown:

This occurs when every player reveals their hand to determine the winner of the pot.

Turn:

The 4th community card to be dealt.

5 tips For Improving Your Game

Though most people want to become masters at Texas Hold’em it’s not easy. However, you can follow a few tips to improve your game drastically.

1. Reduce the Number of Hands You Play

Whenever new players take up Texas Hold’em online, they usually play too many starting hands which is counterproductive. This effectively means that they call more than their fair share of times with very weak hands.

Their undoing comes from their inability to be patient, much like every other internet user. Therefore, it is imperative that you take down a list of all starting hands allowed. You could start by making a copy of simple Texas Holdem starting-hand strategy. Make sure you have it with you every time you play your first a hundred hands.

As a rule, starting out with the best hand then you are bound to finish with the same.  If then you play 2 of any of your cards hoping to flop something good, you will at best make the 2nd best hand or even nothing.

Consequently, you will end up paying off the other players too much. This scenario is typical of all poker games and especially Texas Hold’em. You are bound to bleed away you chips even if you do not make a single hand. This is because you’ll pay for all your missed flops which you won’t be able to recover if and when you hit.

2. Use 2nd Level Thinking

Never look at your hand in isolation. You may have a flush but there is a high pair placed on the board and one of the other players could be holding a full house.

On the other hand, when a player raises before the flop, which comes with 3 low cards, then you should factor in the possibility that the player was betting high cards and apparently missed even though your hand isn’t that strong.

Most players concentrate on what they hold instead of looking at the bigger picture. The bigger picture is looking at what you have in relation to your opponent.

3. Try 3rd Level Thinking

Another critical strategy is to put yourself in your opponent’s shoes such that you try and think what they think you have. Though a bit tricky it can be done with a bit of practice and experience. This enables you to make more educated bets that are bound to pay off at some point.

4. Establish a Comfort Level

In order to play the game without too much anxiety, it is important to establish a comfort zone of some sort. This means that you are making bets that you are comfortable with. If unsure always play lower bets. You should also select a Texas hold’em site that is a fit for your level of play.

5. Analyze Your Game

While you could simply download all your hand history when playing online, it is also possible to analyze your game while playing.

Revisit every move you made and evaluate its effect. Was it right or wrong? If you realize you made a mistake then you can make a mental note of it for future reference. Most sites allow you access to your stats. Your calls, folds and bets. This information can be pivotal to improving your game when analyzed well.