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Texas Holdem

Sample Hand

Betting: Stakes $1/ $2.

Pocket Cards

• PLAYER 1: 2♣, 8♥
• PLAYER 2: K♥, 3♣
• PLAYER 3: Q♥, Q♣
• PLAYER 4: 7♥, 8♣
• PLAYER 5: A♠, J♦
• PLAYER 6: 5♥, 6♦
• PLAYER 7: K♦, a♣

FIRST ROUND (remember there is no checking allowed in first betting round):

• PLAYER 1: Folds. The cards are too low, unsuited, and can’t make a straight.
• PLAYER 2: Bets $1 to see the flop, although with a 3 kicker it’s not very promising.
• PLAYER 3: Raises $1. The Queens are a very strong starting hand.
• PLAYER 4: Folds. Although the 7 and 8 have a straight potential, the betting from Player 3 scares him off.
• PLAYER 5: Calls the bet with two high cards.
• PLAYER 6: Folds for the same reason as Player 4.
• PLAYER 7: Calls the bet and raises another $1.
• PLAYER 2: Folds. The 3 kicker is too low to contend with the betting strategy.
• PLAYER 3: Calls the raise.
• PLAYER 5: Calls. He’s a little worried that Player 3 and Player 7 have a high pair, but he likes Jack with the Ace kicker.

THE FLOP: J♠, 3♠, 10♦

• PLAYER 3: Bets $1. Still feeling good with the Queens since there is no higher card in the widow.
• PLAYER 5: Calls. He now has a pair of Jacks with an Ace kicker. As far as he knows, he has the high pair since there is nothing higher in the widow; still Player 3 and Player 7 could have a higher pair.
• PLAYER 7: Raises $1. He likes his King-Ace, there is the potential straight, and he sees the Jacks as the highest possible pair. He has also been playing aggressively and he wants to maintain his presence.
• PLAYER 3: Calls the raise. He still likes his Queens but is slightly worried. Player 7 bet aggressively from the beginning, so it’s possible he has a pair of Jacks in the hole, but Player 3 knows Player 7 may also have a King-Ace. If Player 7 holds a pair of Jacks, his three of a kind would win, but if he only has a pair of Jacks, Player’s 3’s Queens will beat it.
• PLAYER 5: Calls the raise. Slightly worried that picture cards will appear on the turn.

THE TURN: J♠, 3♠, 10♦, 2♣Remember,the bet doubles in the last two rounds.

• PLAYER 3: Bets $2. Feeling good with the Queen since the 2♣ helped no one.
• PLAYER 5: Calls the bet since nothing has changed.
• PLAYER 7: Calls the bet for the same reason as player 5.

THE RIVER: J♠, 3♠, 10♦, 2♣, Q♦

• PLAYER 3: Checks. Knows that it Player 7 bets aggressively, then he’s probably got the straight.
• PLAYER 5: Folds. Knows that his pair of Jacks is most likely beaten with the Queen.
• PLAYER 7: Bets $2.
• PLAYER 3: Calls.

WINNER: Player 7 with flush straight.