Initially, it may seem a little confusing but Hold 'em will get simpler. This is a game of skill and luck. It is played using big and small blinds.
These are forced bets by two opposing players. Antes can also be used over and above the blinds like used in traditional poker. The dealer will get what is called the "button" which indicates who the dealer was.
The button will change, rotating clockwise as each hand goes on. You have to know who the dealer is at all times. This is because the small blind is made by the player to the left of the dealer.
The amount is usually half of the big blind. The big blind is made by the player to the left of the small blind. This must be equal to the minimum bet.
Tournament Hold 'em might use the blind structure on occasion. And this could increase as the game progresses. There is never any telling what will happen there.
The idea of the game is to get rid of players until there are just two players remaining. This is called 'head-to-head' and the game will change depending on the blinds. The dealer will post the small blind and the opponent will place the big blind.
The dealer plays first, before the flop. When the flop is over, the dealer will go last for the remainder of the hands. There are a few types of Hold 'em, limit, no limit, and pot limit hold'em.
Limit hold 'em is the most highly favored. This type of hold'em bets and raises in the first two rounds of betting and must be equal to the big blind (small bet). The next couple rounds of betting are called the turn and river.
The bets and raises must be equal to twice the big blind (big bet). No-limit hold 'em is the kind of hold 'em that you would see if you were to catch the big tournaments played by celebrities. Players can bet or rise as they please with this type.
This is including any amount over the minimum raise up to all of the chips that the player holds at the table. This is called an all in bet. At a minimum the raise must be minimally equal to the big blind.
If a player desires to re raise, he must raise the minimum amount of the prior raise. The raise or re-raise has to equal the amount of the previous raise. If not, the first raiser can not raise again.