Texas Hold 'em: The Order of Play
As with any game, there's a certain order that players must go through to properly compete against each other. One isn't going to find a "free for all" environment very often (read: never) when it comes to a card game, so understanding the rules of who goes / bets first, as well as the general playing order, is an important lesson to learn. Proper poker etiquette should definitely be followed here.
While different card games have different orders (for example, seven card stud, the highest showing hand usually bets) games like Texas Hold 'em have a rigid order that is always followed.
Who goes first?
Texas Hold 'em starts out with one player acting as the dealer (even if there is a fixed dealer). This person is identified with a dealer button, which rotates clockwise every hand. The two players to the "dealer's" left post blinds (small and big, respectively) to establish the initial pot. Hands are then dealt out in a clockwise manner, which means the cards start out with the person on the dealer's left.
After the hole cards are dealt, the player to the left of the big blind begins the pre-flop betting rounds, and the betting goes clockwise. Subsequent betting rounds are begun by the player on the dealer's left.
Position is important
There's an oft-used phrase in poker that states: "Position is Power". This is true, as early positioned players (those who must bet first) are more at a disadvantage than later players.
"Why is this", you ask?
Well, let's think about it this way: if a player is sitting near the end of the dealing order, they will have a greater opportunity to see how other people bet - it's very possible that several players may drop out before the last person bets. Will this change how that person bets? Perhaps so. Maybe with only one or two other people in the game, the person at the end sees it more favorable to gamble a little and shoot for that big hand.
Now, before you start to move as far away from the dealer as possible, there is also a small advantage in being early in the play order, as long as you play strong hands - starting out right off the bat with a strong play can intimidate the other players into folding, and that leads to a quick and easy win.
The rotation of positions
Also, bear in mind that the position rotates with the dealer button, so over the course of an evening (and the next day for you hardcore players), everyone will get their shot in the catbird seat. This means that when it's you that has the best position, try and use it to your greatest advantage, as it only comes around once every so often.
Good luck to you out there!
