Free Online Poker
Poker Software and Online Holdem Games
Texas Holdem Poker has become one of the most popular card games in the past ten years. It seems like everyone is playing now.
And you want to play too.
... but you don't want to look like a fool learning how to play texas holdem poker.
No sweat, I will show you the best software and programs you can free get to learn texas holdem poker.
First for Windows XP and Vista you should try PokerTH. This free poker program lets you play against 6 computer opponents or other people with the software on your network or online. I highly recommend it since it is free and easy to use. Download.
Once you have gotten familiar with the game, you will want to graduate to one of the free online poker rooms that you have seen on TV. While all the major online poker sites are reputable and good, I can only recommend Doyle Brunson's site, Doyle's Room. Doyle's room is the best free online poker site I am aware of. The integrity of the people behind the project, the fun factor of playing with Doyle himself and the best online poker software make it my favourite place to play.
There you may even play against Doyle himself. Look for the screen name TEX_DOLLY.
Before you play with PokerTH you might want an explanation of some of the common terms you will find in texas holdem poker.
First, hold cards are the two cards that you start with. These are the major indicators of how strong your ending hand will be. Try not entering pots with bad hands like 2-7 or 3-8.
After you have your hole cards there is an opening round of betting.
After the opening round of betting comes the flop. On the flop three community (everyone can use them) cards are dealt. You know have a full 5 card poker hand and a very good idea of how strong your ending hand will be.
There is one round of betting on the flop, then an extra card is dealt. Usually by the time you have seen the flop you know where you will stand. If you do not have a strong hand (high pair, straight, flush, 2 pair etc), I suggest folding here while you are learning online poker.
This card is called the turn or fourth street, depending on who you ask. Most people know this as the turn, so that is the terminology I suggest you use. If you are still around during the turn, you better have a good hand.
On the turn there is another round of betting, followed by the final card.
The final card is called the river or fifth street. There are no more cards to come. Now there are five community cards and your two original hole cards. You pick the five best cards in total and that is your strongest hand.
Then there is the final round of betting. Anyone still in the hand here either has a really good hand, or thinks they have a really good hand or they are bluffing.
Now that you know the basic flow of free online poker, I suggest you try Doyle's Room or use the PokerTH software.