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Texas Hold 'em is, if not the most played, by far the most popular of all Poker variations. It has become a sensation throughout the western world, with entire television channels dedicated to round-the-clock Texas Hold 'em news, tournaments, and events.

Online casinos offer Texas Hold 'em in differing variations depending on where you play. Places like Golden Casino (link) and Rushmore Casino (link) have house versions of Texas Hold 'em - often called Casino Hold 'em or Caribbean Hold 'em - where you play against the dealer.

Other casinos require you to download their software before playing, such as CarbonPoker (link) where you can play in friendly games, or tournaments against other real players. If you are a beginner and want to start playing Texas Hold 'em at any online casino, read on to find out how to play.

A game of Texas Hold 'em is often played with six or more players. The first round begins by a player being designated as the dealer, with the small blind bettor to the left of the dealer, and big blind bettor to the left of them. The dealer, small blind, and big blind, will rotate clockwise at the beginning of each new round.

The first cards will then be dealt to each player: two cards facing down. Each player may look at their cards before they decide to bet.

To continue to play the hand, each player must make a wager equal to the amount of the big blind, or, if a raise is called, equal to that amount. Every player will call, raise or fold until the first round of betting is complete.

Next, the first set of community cards is dealt. Three face-up cards, known as the flop, will be placed in the centre of the table, and may be used by each player to create the best possible winning hand. At this point in the game, most players will decide whether to continue, or to fold.

Another round of betting begins before the turn card is dealt. After the fourth card is played, another betting round is played, however this time the minimum wager is usually doubled.

After every player has called, raised, or folded, the fifth and final card - the river - will be dealt, and a last chance to bet will be available to all active players. When bidding is complete, every player still in the game will be required to create the best possible hand from their two hole cards, and the five community cards in the centre of the table. All active players will then be required to reveal their two cards, and a winner will be decided.

Payouts in Texas Hold 'em are quite often straightforward, with the winner receiving the contents of the pot.

However, on a draw the pot will be split equally between each player with the same highest hand.

Additionally, in a round where one player has gone all-in while other players are still bidding, a second pot will be played which only the active bettors can win; even if the player going all-in wins, they may only take the first pot, with the second to be given to the active bettor with the second-highest hand.

A game of Texas Hold 'em can be played over a short or long period of time, depending on the amount of chips being used or skill level. In some cases, such as CarbonPoker, the games are open-ended. Players can find a table that suits their needs (e.g. amount of chips required to buy in) and then play for as long as they choose, or until they run out of chips. Playing at online casinos against the dealer is great fun to practice, but the real winnings lie in competing against other players.