Texas Hold 'Em is one of the most popular card games in America right now, and this article explains the basic rules of the game.

Number of Players

A good game of Texas Hold 'Em requires at least six players. Although more can be added depending on the size of a given table, and the endurance of guests, it's a difficult game to play with fewer than six.

To begin, take out a standard 52-card deck (Texas Hold 'Em does not use jokers) and place one card for each player face down on the table. Each player should draw a card. The highest card drawn will be the dealer and other players should sit immediately to his left in descending order.

As in most card games, the role of the dealer is to deal the cards, but Texas Hold 'Em is unique in that it does not require an ante for each hand.

Instead, to the immediate left of the dealer is a player known as "little blind," who posts an initial bet, and to his immediate left is a player referred to as the "big blind," who posts a bet twice as large before the first cards are dealt.

Blinds are set by the house and vary depending on the wealth of those seated around the table. Typically, the opening blind will be $1/$2, which means the little blind must place a $1 bet to start the game.

These positions rotate after every hand, and with six players a given individual only has to be the big blind 1/6th of the time.

The value of blinds increase as the game continues according to rules set by the house. Typically the blinds will increase with increments of time, such as every 20 minutes, or with the number of hands played.

First Deal; First Bet

After the blinds have been placed in the betting circle, the dealer gives each player two cards face down. Each player then views the cards and decides whether or not to bet.

A player essentially has three options at this point: bet, raise or fold.

Betting begins to the left of the big blind player, and each bet must be at least as much as that placed by the "big blind."

For example, in a $1/$2 round, the first bet must be at least $2. If the player chooses to bet, he can place $2 in the betting circle. If he chooses to raise, that raise must be in increments of $2.

If the player is unsatisfied with his cards, he folds and waits for the next hand.

If the little blind or the big blind choose to fold, they automatically lose their initial contributions. The little blind must match the big blind, or any subsequent raises, to continue playing.