Book 3
Staying North of the Border: Texas Hold’em
Contents at a Glance
Chapter 1: Just Tell Me How to Play: Texas Hold’em Basics
The Order of Play
Understanding Who Deals: The Dealer Button
Dealing the Cards
Posting Blinds
Betting: Just the Lowdown
Grasping the Importance of Your Bankroll
Following Poker Etiquette
Chapter 2: Beginning with Two
Grasping the Importance of Position
The Hands You Should Play, by Relative Position at a Table
Considering the Players in a Hand
Identifying Hands You Should and Shouldn’t Play
Using “Fold or Raise” to Make a Call
Chapter 3: Flopping ’Til You’re Dropping
Fitting or Folding
Betting the Flop
Calling a Bet
Raising the Dough
Check-Raising
Getting a Free Card
Chapter 4: Taking Your Turn
Watching a Hand Fill Out
Keeping Track of the Action
Chapter 5: Dipping in the River
Final Betting
Showing a Hand … or Not?
Watching for Mistakes
Chapter 6: Playing the Players
Classifying Players
Looking for Tells
Zeroing In on Specifics
Chapter 7: Bluffing: When Everything Isn’t What It Appears to Be
Bluffing Basics
When to Bluff
Who to Bluff
The Semi-Bluff
Getting Caught — Now What?