I've never played and have NO idea about it, I do know my way around apack of cards, but the only card game I can play is pontoon....that is the one where you reach 21, right?

just kinda interested about the game.

Most of the poker we talk about here is a variation of 7 Card Stud called Texas Hold 'Em. It takes a minute to learn, but a lifetime to master....a wise man once said...LOL

A Texas Hold 'Em poker game goes as follows:

1. The betting structure can vary, but most games start with two players placing out a predetermined amount of money so there is an initial amount to play for. This is called posting the blinds. These players are the two to the left of the dealer.

2. The dealer shuffles up a complete deck of 52 playing cards.

3. Each player is dealt two cards face down. These are called your hole or pocket cards.

4. Then there is a round of betting starting with the guy to the left of the two who posted the blinds. This round is usually referred to by the term pre-flop.

5. The amount betted depends on what kind of game it is.

6. Much like most games of poker, players can check(pass on betting, but stay in the hand), raise(Raise the mininum bet required by the next player), or fold(quit the hand).

7. After the betting round ends, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called a burn card. This is done to prevent cheating. EVERY turn of the card on the board is preceeded by a burn card.

8. The dealer then flips the next three cards face up on the table. These cards are called the flop. These are communal cards that anyone can use in combination with their two pocket cards to form a poker hand.

9. There is another round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

10. After the betting concludes, the dealer burns another card and flips one more onto the table. This is called the turn card. Players can use this sixth card now to form a five card poker hand.

11. The player to the left of the dealer begins another round of betting. In many types of games, this is where the minimum bet size doubles.

12. Finally, the dealer burns a card and places a final card face up on the table. This is called the river. Players can now use any or all of the five cards on the table or the two cards in their pocket to form a five card poker hand.

13. There is one final round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

14. After that, all of the players remaining in the game begin to reveal their hands. This begins with the player to the left of the last player to call. It's called the showdown.

15. The player who shows the best hand wins! There are cases where players with equal hands share the winnings. In this case, the two winners "chop" or split the money in the pot.

It's difficult to learn to play Texas Hold 'Em in the traditional setting of a casino's poker room without losing to experienced gamblers. Thankfully, you can practice all you want for free with online poker rooms.