How to Play Texas Hold’em Online: A Quick Beginner’s Guide
What do you look for when you play online poker? We’d be willing to bet that you’re on the hunt for a thrill. That heart-racing, edge-of-your-seat kind of thrill. The kind that makes you hold your breath. The kind that makes your blood course through your veins. You get the idea. If that’s what you’re into, you need not look any further than Texas Hold’em. It’s one of the most popular forms of online poker and one of the main pillars of the web casino industry. And for good reason. Not only is it one of the most exciting, but it’s also one of the games with some of the biggest cash prize opportunities.
If you’ve got dollar signs floating around your head, we’ve got something you’ll love. This guide features some of our top tips for playing zone poker online, specifically Texas Hold’em online. With these tactics, you’ll be one step closer to dominating the tables at Ignition Casino.
But first, buckle up for a quick history lesson. Don’t worry – this one is way cooler than any you ever took in a classroom. Let’s take a look at how this killer game took the world by storm.
From Offline to Online: The History of Texas Hold’em
Before you could ever play online poker, it was typically played in card rooms. Some were attached to casinos while others weren’t. Texas Hold’em is thought to have been invented in Robstown, Texas, but it made its way to Las Vegas in the early 1960s. It started at the California Club before spreading to the Golden Nugget. Eventually, the game moved to Vegas Strip casinos, such as Stardust and Dunes. Unlike draw poker, Texas Hold’em offers players more betting opportunities and more room for clever strategy. Of course, you’ll inevitably see some not-so-clever strategy as well, but we don’t recommend you follow that.
The father-son duo, Benny and Jack Binion, loved the game so much that they offered to host a championship event entitle the World Series of Poker. They chose Texas Hold’em as the preferred poker game that entrants would play. From there, Texas Hold’em boomed even more in popularity, through the early 1970s. Over time, it caught the attention of the press, receiving TV coverage and worldwide fame. When Internet gambling rose to prominence, it came as no surprise that Texas Hold’em was the game of choice for many online poker players.
Understanding the Game: How Texas Hold’em Works
Now, let’s move on to the meat and potatoes. How does Texas Hold’em actually work?
The game starts with each player at the table (two to nine seats is the standard) receiving two cards. The player to the left of the dealer then antes up for the small blind. The player to the left of them antes up for the big blind. The amount of the big blind is double the amount of the small blind.
Next, a new round of betting kicks off. Each player starts by assessing their starting cards and deciding whether they want to participate in the hand. Players with high pairs will often raise in this round, which is known as the pre-flop round. By raising early, they’re encouraging their competitors to fold, which helps them snatch an easy pot. Players in late position have a competitive advantage, though, because they get to see how all their opponents act first. This allows them to play a wider range of cards.
After the pre-flop round, the dealer sets down three community cards. In Texas Hold’em, this is known as the “flop.” Another round of betting follows. All players have the choice to check, bet, or fold. Any player can raise another. In no-limit Texas Hold’em, you could even raise an opponent for their entire chip stack. If you’re keen on high stakes, this could be the play for you.
Next, the dealer places another community card (the turn) and the players complete another round of betting. Finally, the last community card is dealt (the river) and there is one last round of betting. All players still standing must show their cards. The best five-card hand wins the game. Remember that players can use any combination of their two pocket cards and the community cards to make this hand.
Get Into the Game: How to Play Texas Hold’em at Ignition
Keen to get a taste of the action? We love to see it. Thankfully, getting your head in the Texas Hold’em online game has never been easier than with Ignition Casino. Start by launching the Ignition Casino site or app. Enter your game preferences and then choose your stakes. For instance, do you want a small blind ante of $1 or $100? Choose wisely depending on your bankroll! Next, choose the number of players you want to face off with. Once you’ve done all that, you can grab a seat right away. With Ignition Casino’s Quick Seat, there’s no waiting, just playing.
If you really hate waiting (which we can totally relate to), try out Zone Poker online. Whenever you fold, you’re automatically redirected to a new table with a fresh deal. Zone poker online offers fast-paced, action-packed fun. What more could you ask for?
Starting Strategies for Texas Hold’em
When you’re just starting out in your online poker career, you need to remember that hand selection is key. Avoid playing hands that have a low chance of winning, and you’ll already be a step ahead.
Position is also super important. If you’re in late position, you’ve got a powerful upper hand. You’ve already seen other players’ actions, so you can base your next move on that. Did they check? Place a bet to put the pressure on! Did they bet? Raise them to make ‘em sweat.
In no-limit Texas Hold’em, you’ve gotta know when to get out and fold. Sure, you might have a top pair, but that doesn’t mean you should dump your entire stack. Watch out for traps and monitor raises for your opponents. Are they betting their whole stack? Odds are, they’ve got a crazy strong hand. Like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson kind of strong. No shame in backing down from a showdown with the likes of him. Finally, if you face a bad beat, don’t sweat it. It happens to the best of us. Just step away to give yourself the time you need to calm down. 
Playing for Big Money in Ignition’s Texas Hold’em Tournaments
Finding online poker tournaments? Couldn’t be easier. Fire up our site or mobile app. Check out the top section for the Sit-and-Go Tournaments and Scheduled Tournaments buttons. Browse away until you find a tourney that tickles your fancy. Whether you’re keen for a little prize or a whopping $100k mega jackpot, there’s something for everybody. Once you’ve decided, register to secure your spot. Once the competition starts, you’ll automatically be taken to your table.
After that, there’s only one thing left to do: let the games begin.
Good luck, legends!
