This is an article which aims to provide a brief overview of the betting patterns and protocols for Texas holdem. It is not meant to be the authority on all betting patterns or to provide a full analysis of the system. The confines of a small article do not allow for such extensive analysis. This is a taster designed to give you the readers some inspiration to take up Texas holdem, even if it is done as a pastime without the possibility of earning a major income.

Bets can vary in size but they are usually blind when you are playing Texas holdem. Blind bets can be described as those that are arising out of the action of a couple of participants. Alternatively it is possible to use the Antes system which involves an additional betting protocol to the one described above. In the online versions, there is a mechanism to represent the dealer function. These are set up in the fashion of a knob so that they can be twisted to indicate what type of bid which is being placed on the screen. Once the players have understood and applied these initial functions and roles, then the game can begin at a slightly more complicated level.

The game is mainly cumulative and progressive such that after extensive play, the situation can arise that only two players are left in the loop. This then changes the dynamics of the game because it is no longer a group and Texas holdem provides specifically for these with a new set of rules that are applied at this stage. The dealer controls the game at every stage and when they notice that there is potential for a dual play off, they will start signaling by changing the betting patterns and allowances.

There are various rules that govern the way in which bets are raised and the maximum levels that are allowed. A detailed study of Texas holdem is required before one can fully understand the operation of all these systems and bets. However it is suffice to say that there is a very distinct difference between the limited and the unlimited betting pattern. With the limited patterns, there are rules which prevent excessive rises in the stakes and therefore control the final outcome in terms of the maximum level of winnings that is possible. The unlimited betting pattern has no controls and people can go quite high from one stage of the betting to the next. This type is really for the professionals and those with great experience.

Some casinos also take a somewhat liberal approach to the rules and may allow particular customers to go beyond the limits as a result of having known them for such a long time or if it is believed that generally they have more experience than all the other players at the table. I suppose that each establishment will want to imprint its own version of Texas holdem depending on how they perceive the best way of making money from their casino business.