Texas Hold 'Em
  
  The layout for Hold 'Em varies from other poker games in that there are typically ten players at a Hold 'Em table as opposed to the eight players in other variations of poker. This is because there are less cards used per player. Hold 'Em uses "blinds" to get the betting going, typically the player on the immediate left of the dealer is forced to bet 1/2 of the minimum bet and the player to his immediate left is forced to bet a minimum bet. This takes checking out of the first round of betting. You only have three choices: Call, raise or fold. Note: This causes the pot to build at a greater rate and a player finding himself alone with the blinds in a late position may raise, trying to scare the blinds out and therefore stealing the blind bets.    
  The game begins with each player receiving two cards, face down. Then the dealer turns three cards face up in the center of the table. These cards are community cards and will, like the two to follow, be used to complete everybody's hand. At this point (referred to as third street, sometimes "the flop") there is a round of betting. Now the dealer turns up one additional card, followed by another round of betting (referred to as fourth street). This is follow by the dealer turning up the fifth and last community card (known as the river or fifth street). Here we get the final round of bets and the showdown.    
  Simple huh?    
  Now we come to a few tips. The target game is $1 to $4 limit in a Casino or a public card room. The players that you will find in the typical public game with these limits are about average, i.e., mostly competent players (you need some confidence in your game just to walk into a public card room and sit down — saves embarrassment) with perhaps a couple of really good players — you will have to be the judge. We are also assuming that the table is full (or at least 8 players). If the table is short, you will have to adjust your play accordingly (it is usually right to tighten up your game when playing at a short table, but watch for the opportunities that are created by players getting tired of short action and betting/bluffing wildly).    
  Please Note: These "rules" are highly simplified, and won't apply exactly in most situations, but they will keep you out of serious trouble. The target game is a pretty loose affair; bluffing is mostly useless (with the exception of raising in late position in the attempt to steal the blinds), and marginal calls will probably fail. Play Tight!    
  On Third Street: If your position is 1 through 7, you will stay in the game with a pair of Kings or better, or any two parts of a Straight Flush over 8. You will fold anything else. If your position is 8, with no action before you, you can stay with a pair of Queens or two parts of any Straight Flush. In position 9 (small blind), with no action before you, you will probably raise the pot and try to chase the remaining players. If you have one (or possibly two) in before you, you will stay with any pair higher than 10s or any face card with any suited second card. If you are in position 10 (big blind), with no action, you will collect your pot, otherwise see positions 1 through seven. Note: All of these are referring to the two cards that are dealt to you, not including the three cards on the table.    
  On Fourth Street: If your hand hasn't improved, fold unless you have a pair of Ks or higher or four parts of a high flush (including community cards).    
  At The River: If you don't have a complete hand, fold.    
 
Required Reading
    
 

As always I advocate a complete education. Some of the best books that I've found on Hold 'Em are: All three of Nelson's books on Hold 'Em: Poker - Hold 'Em: Book One ,Poker - Hold 'Em: Intermediate and Poker: Hold 'Em, Advanced. The best guide to "tells" and advanced play: The Body Language of Poker: Mike Caro's Book of Tells and Caro's Fundamental Secrets of Winning Poker.

There are many more books on the subject, available through our Bookstore.