Texas Hold 'Em Poker: Fundamentals For Winning

"Texas Hold 'Em," one of the most popular poker games played today, is the subject of this excellent instructional video. Six people sit at the table while a narrator explains the mechanics of the game, and offers all-important lessons in strategy. The game is simple to play: each player is dealt two cards face down; the dealer then turns three cards up in the middle of the table (these community cards are known as "the flop"), followed by a sixth and then a seventh card. In other words, two cards are hidden and the other five are played by everyone. Sound hairy? It is. But host Jim Gough takes viewers through the various combinations of opening hands, and examines the odds at every stage of the game. The keys, of course, are knowing when to fold, and never playing scared, but rather than simply enumerate these basic principles, Texas Hold 'Em Poker does a good job of demonstrating them. Sure to be popular. Highly recommended. (Available from: Fifth Street Video, 473 Schooner Way, Seal Beach, CA 90740; 1-800-562-6104.)