No Limit Texas Hold’em Poker

What is No Limit Texas Hold’em?

No Limit Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular poker variants played in the 21st century. Many aspects have led to its popularity in the first half of the 2000s. These factors include the simple nature of the game (the rules of the game can be learnt in minutes), the rise of poker games online and big poker tournaments being played on television leading to greater mass appeal.

As the name makes it clear, No-Limit Texas Hold’em is played with no limitation to rules. This suggests that the number of raises is limited and so are the betting amounts. At any given point of time, every player can bet as much as they want including the chips they currently hold.

Another important poker strategy about No Limit Texas Hold’em is that each player is dealt two cards privately and the player must do the best hand they can using these private cards in addition to five community cards. The community cards are made available to each player. To know more about how to play No Limit Texas Hold’em, keep reading below.

What are the Hand Rankings for No Limit Texas Hold’em

If you plan to start playing No Limit Texas Hold’em online, you need to be aware about the different card combinations and hand rankings. A very important point that needs to be kept in mind is that in No Limit Texas Holdem, a player gets at their disposal seven cards to make up their five-card hand- two-hole cards along with five community cards that are spread out on the board. These cards are as follows:

• Straight Flush

In order to have a straight flush, a player needs to have five cards in numerical order, all belonging to the same suit. So, when the five cards come together in a straight and flush, the player is holding a straight flush in their hand. If there arises a situation that two players are holding a straight flush, then the player with the highest card is declared the winner. An ace-high straight flush is referred to as the royal flush because it is the best hand a poker player can have.

• Full House

Two cards of one rank and three cards of another come together to form a full house. Full houses are ranked in a descending manner- three kings beat three queens and two deuces beat two fours. When two players hold the full house, the player with the highest three-of-a-kind ends up winning the pot.

• Four of a Kind

This indicates four cards belonging to the same rank. Four aces are the strongest four of all kinds possible. On the other hand, four deuces are the lowest combination. In Texas Hold’em, two players often hold the same four-of-a-kind. In such a scenario, the player who is holding the fifth-highest card will end up winning the pot.

• Flush

Flush refers to five cards of the same suit- hearts, spades, diamonds or clubs. When two or more than two players hold a flush, the player who is holding the highest card wins the pot. When two players hold identical highest cards, the immediate next powerful card is used to determine the winner.

• Three of a Kind

A three-of-a-kind combination comprises cards belonging to the same rank. Out of all the combinations, three aces are considered to be the most desirable. Kickers are used to determine the winner when two players hold identical three-of-a-kind.

• Two Pair

When there are two players who are holding two pairs, then the player who is holding the highest pair emerges as the winner. When two players hold the same highest pair, the second-highest pair wins.

• Straight

When five cards come together in such a way that they form a numerical sequence, then the player is holding a straight. When two players hold the straight, the player who is holding the highest card becomes the winner. An ace can function both as the highest and the lowest card.

• One Pair

Two cards belonging to the same rank with two aces being considered as the highest pair and two deuces as the lowest. When two players have in their capacity the same pair, one or more of the kickers are used to determine who is the winner.

• High Card

When two or more than two players are holding high card hands, the player who shows the highest card ends up winning- deuces are the lowest and aces is the highest.

Also read: How To Play PLO ( Pot Limit Omaha )

No Limit Texas Hold’em Rules

There are three basic rules of how to play No Limit Texas Hold’em. These are:

• The game of No Limit Texas Hold’em features many betting rounds
• Players are provided around two private and about five community cards
• The highest hand for No Limit Texas Hold’em poker is required in order to declare a winner

How to Play No Limit Texas Hold’em?

As a first step to learning how to play Texas Hold’em, you need to know how to bet in Texas Hold’em No limit. The game starts with forced bets which are called blinds. The player who is seated to the immediate left side of the button will post the small blind and the player to the left will post the big blind.

Texas Hold’em is played amongst a maximum of nine players. With this starts the betting rounds and the communal cards.

Betting Rounds and Communal Cards

• As mentioned, the first round of betting begins with the person who is seated to the left of the big blind. Every player is given the option to call, fold, or raise in turns with the action moving in a clockwise direction around the table.
• The first round of betting comes to an end when the biggest bet is equalised by one or more than one player. If the raise called by one player is not called by any other player, then the pot is won by the raiser without the need to reveal the cards. This rule is applicable throughout a hand.
• The second round of betting starts after a flop- three cards that are face up and dealt right in the middle of the poker table. The three communal cards are made available to each player and it is to be utilised with the two private cards in order to make the best five-card hand game for poker.
• The third round of betting happens on the turn- with one card being dealt face up right in the middle of the table. Similar to a flop, the fourth community card is made available to all the players who are remaining in the hand.
• After the completion of the third round of betting, the final round of betting takes place on the river in which the fourth one- one card is dealt face up in the middle of the table which is again made available to each and every player in hand.

Showdown

Once the bets have been called in the fourth and final round of betting, players remaining in the hand enter the showdown stage of the game. The last player who calls a raise needs to reveal their cards. If no bet was called during the last round of the betting, the player positioned to the left of the button has to reveal their cards first.

In the end, the winner is the player with the best five-card hand. If multiple players reveal identical hands, then the pot is shared amongst them equally. Once the pot is awarded to the winner or winners, a new hand for No Limit Texas Hold’em poker begins.

Conclusion

Whether you are a complete amateur or an enthusiast, the best way to gain sufficient knowledge about No Limit Texas Hold’em Poker is by playing it for free on a reliable and verified platform. And what better way to do this than getting your hands on the first games poker app? Download first games poker app and play as much as you want without any cost. Brush up your skills, gain knowledge of the poker strategy ways, build your confidence and even stand the chance to win some money online in the form of chips. Get to enjoy all of these benefits just from the comfort of your home.