A bet is a gamble that one of two possibilities to the game of poker hold true:

1.  "You have the best hand and you'll wager money on it" or

2.  "You have a poor hand, and you will fold if you are forced to wager on it".

Typically, players like to bet when they have a good hand. Players who don't have good hands are supposed to fold. Of course, if poker was so simple there would be no need to even think about betting at all. Most players play contrary to this idea and they often attempt to bet into a pot with bad hands (second best hands) and slow play the good hands (meaning they do not bet enough when they have the winning hand).

Don't fall into this trap when you are just learning to play. Stick to the winners and fold 90% of the time before the flop – if you can do that – only 5% of gamblers fold into the flop over 89% of the time – and they are the winners at the table. I know this is almost impossible to do but if you can do it you will definitely win money. As a matter of fact one of the top professional poker players in the world, Phil Hellmuth jr., gives all beginners a big tip by listing his “TOP TEN” playable hands in Texas Holdem as follows:

Here are other situations that if played properly can help you improve your game:

Example one: Blind-stealing

When you are in the dealer's position, and only you and the blinds remain in the game, a raise is often called "blind-stealing". This is because the blinds often fold, whereas if you didn't raise but simply called, the blinds would simply check. This is a very sneaky way to make a buck or two, but this strategy alone will never make you rich. It’s more of a way to end the game fast and have a new hand dealt.

Example two: The steal-raise

If you are last to act and all players have checked to you, and you start the betting so as to limit the number of players in the hand or better yet to hopefully win the pot by default. This strategy is called a steal-raise. Don't use this exclusively, as better players will be onto you quickly and begin check-raising against your hand. It is good to use a steal raise when you have an excellent drawing hand such as a nut flush draw. Players will tend to "check to the raiser". If you draw to your hand, you now have a larger pot to win. If you don't, you can always check, and hope the fifth card makes your hand.

Example three: The check-raise

Check raising is checking to your opponent, with the intention of luring them to bet, so that you can raise them back. Your intention is to lure them into a false sense of security so that you can raise them and increase the pot (remember, after one bet is committed, it’s more likely they'll commit to two anyway).

Example four: The opener

This reckless move is often done by people who bluff. It is when the person first to act raises, making all other players call two bets at once. It’s inteniton is to limit the number of players. Basically, this move amounts to a backwards steal-raise. The effect will almost certainly cause many players to fold, but the ones remaining will either be equally aggressive or truly have a great hand. This is also known as betting for information. This tactic is best used with few players in on a hand and is actually a good move when you have great cards.

Example five: Squeezing

Squeezing is a tactic only used in a short-handed game. It's betting when you have a good hand currently, and you suspect another player or players may be on a draw. For example, you have top pair with the best kicker. Chances are they won't make their draw (be it a straight or a flush draw, etc). Your goal is to limit their pot odds.

At the end of the day betting in Texas Holdem is an aspect of the game that is learned through experience and not usually taught in an online texas holdem web site, however it is safe to say that you should have some really good cards most of the time when you are betting … otherwise you may be an unhappy gambler.