After those cards have been dealt, the player to the left of the Big Blind can call the best, raise it or fold. Next, every player is dealt two cards, known as “hole” or “pocket” cards, face down. The player to the left of the dealer must post the Small Blind - and the player to the left of the Small Blind must post the Big Blind, which is normally double the amount of the Small Blind. Most Texas Hold ‘Em games use a two-blind structure, which means that there are two forced bets by two players. However, if you keep these notes in mind, even your first hand will go smoothly. That way, you'll have a more patient crowd to play with. If you're playing Texas Hold ‘Em, you'll usually find yourself surrounded by eight or nine other players - so if you're just learning how to play poker, it might be less daunting to bring friends along to the casino and more or less take over a table. Discover more about how to play Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha & Omaha Hi-Lo Split and Seven-Card Stud Poker. Whether you're playing a table game at Wheeling Island, or a friendly hand with your buddies, there are a few poker basics you need to understand before the first card is dealt.
