Your Ultimate Guide to Online Poker in 2023

Dive into the exciting world of online poker by learning the ins and outs of this timeless classic. Pick up handy tips, discover expert insights, get a clear overview, partake in free poker games, learn obscure terminology, and more in this in-depth guide.

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Overview

Poker is one of the most beloved casino games, both online and in brick-and-mortar venues. This admiration comes mostly from the fact that poker is an elegant mixture of skill and luck. Not only can you trick your competitors into making mistakes, you can fake your way to the very top. When you mix your wit with a bit of luck, you can make unforgettable plays that leave your fellow punters dumbfounded.

Online poker, however, is a multi-layered cake that you need to explore one layer at a time. Completely digital online poker games are based on RNG (random number generators), which give random results in the form of random cards. These are audited by third-party agencies, so you can rest assured that they are completely random and fair.

RNG works in combination with various deck counts, with some casino poker games featuring more decks than others. Each additional deck increases the house edge, which is not in your best interest. Moreover, some casino poker games, especially tournaments, have minimum deposit and wagering requirements that you need to meet.

Wagering requirements are also the main drawback of casino poker bonuses, which range from your typical welcome bonus to the more elite cashback offer. Knowing which bonuses to claim and how to maximize them is a skill that few master in time.

And as if all of that was not enough, you also have to take into account the various rules and mechanics that different online poker games use. Each poker title is slightly different, so it is crucial that you are familiar with at least the basics. Join us on this comprehensive online poker review and learn all of this and more!

Pros & Cons

Pros
There are countless game variants
You can play free poker
There are plenty of bonuses
You can use skills to win
Cons
It consumes more time than slots
You cannot use facial features to trick others

History

The history of poker is incredibly complex and rich, with roots stretching back several centuries. While the exact origin of poker is highly debated, there are some factual events that give us a rough outline.

Poker’s story began in the 16th century when it was far from its modern variant. It had the form of various card games that were popular in Europe. The card games were very similar, with elements of bluffing and betting. The French called this precursor to poker “Poque”, while the Spanish called it “Primero”.

The game evolved over time and hit the shores of North America in the 18th century, courtesy of French settlers. It spread rapidly among American colonists, with several variations emerging from the melting pot of America.

The 19th century saw an explosion in poker’s US popularity. The game became widespread in gambling houses, saloons, and especially riverboats. This is where several betting formats that we know and love today developed.

The American Civil War was instrumental to the rise of poker as it was played by soldiers in their downtime. This is also where the game of "Draw Poker" can find its roots.

As the 19th century rolled to a close, poker became more standardized, with specific hand rankings and rules emerging. The concepts of a “straight” and a “flush” appeared.

The game simply picked up steam in the 20th century, with the 1970s seeing the start of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. This incredible event has been bringing the very best poker players from around the world together. Note that their poker variant of choice is Texas Hold 'em.

Poker has never been as big as it is today, which is mostly thanks to the prominence of online casinos. There are countless poker websites and tournaments out there, with a recent shift into the exciting worlds of VR and AR gaming. While Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha reign supreme, you never know what the poker rounds of the next few years will look like.


Popular Terms

You simply cannot compete in an environment such as a poker table unless you are familiar with the various terms and phrases that poker players use. We recommend that you check out the following breakdown and ensure that you are never left scratching your head.

  • Blinds - These bets are forced upon the two players that sit left of the dealer. The small and big blind, as they are called, are paid before the start of each poker round. They help start pots and get the betting going.
  • Bluff - A deceptive or misleading action or statement that creates false impressions regarding the strength of your hand. It requires a great deal of observation to execute flawlessly.
  • Buy-in - This is the entry fee that a punter has to pay in order to partake in a poker game or tournament.
  • Community Cards - These are cards that are dealt face-up and in the center of a poker table. They are shared among all players and used to form winning combinations.
  • Hole Cards - Occasionally referred to as hole cards, these are given to each punter. They form winning combinations when combined with community cards.
  • Flop - The second round of community cards in games such as Texas Hold 'em and Omaha. It sees three cards being simultaneously revealed after the first round of betting.
  • Flush - A poker hand comprised of five cards of the same suit that do not bear a sequential order. A great example would be five hearts marked as 2-5-8-J-Q.
  • Pair - A pair on poker is comprised of two cards of the same rank, such as two Kings or two 7s. Most poker variants consider a pair to be a basic winning hand.
  • Pot - This is the sum of all wagers that have been placed in any given poker round. The punter with the best hand at the end of a hand wins the entire pot.
  • Rake - This is a small percentage of each pot that the casino or poker room takes as a hosting fee.
  • River - The fifth and last community card in games such as Texas Hold 'em and Omaha. It appears after the fourth round of betting, and it completes the community card lineup.
  • Round of Betting - A phase in poker where players take turns calling, raising, checking, or folding. You can expect several such rounds of betting per poker game.
  • Royal Flush - The highest-ranked poker hand that is comprised of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit. It is very rare and completely unbeatable.

Rules

If you want to have a truly incredible poker gaming experience, you need to know exactly what the objective, gameplay, and card rankings of poker are like. While the game requires some getting used to, it is an unforgettable adventure that everyone should partake in.

The primary objective of any poker game is to win chips or money from other players by either bluffing your way to victory or having the best hand during the showdown phase. Speaking of poker phases, check out the following breakdown of gameplay.

  • Poker is usually played with a standard deck of 52 cards, with at least two and up to 10 players. Note that these facts depend entirely on the poker variant at hand.
  • Players are given face-down or hole cards, while the table is also populated by face-up or community cards. The number of these also depends on the variant at hand.
  • The game is played in rounds, with each round consisting of betting and checking. These actions are followed by the reveal of community cards and additional betting rounds.
  • Punters can freely fold, check, bet, call, or raise. However, if the player before you has raised, you are forced to call or fold. Note that excessive raising can annoy your fellow punters.
  • Betting continues until active players either fold or call the highest bet.
  • Once the final round of betting is over, players reveal their hole cards, and a winner is determined. Different titles handle ties differently, with most simply splitting the pot or adding another community card to the table.

Hands can be unintuitive, especially if you have never played poker before. We have, therefore, prepared the following handy breakdown of poker hands from the highest to the lowest.

  • Royal Flush - The highest-ranked hand in poker consists of an A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
  • Straight Flush - Five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 8-9-10-J-Q or hearts.
  • Four of a Kind - Also known as “Quads”, it consists of four cards of the same rank, such as four Aces.
  • Full House - Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three Kings and two 7s.
  • Flush - Five cards of the same suit, regardless of order.
  • Straight - Five consecutive cards of different suits, such as 4-5-6-7-8.
  • Three of a Kind - Also known as “Trips” or “Set”, it consists of three cards of the same rank, such as three 9s.
  • Two Pair - Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as two Jacks and two 6s.
  • One Pair - Two cards of the same rank, such as two Queens.
  • High Card - When there are no pairs or better, the highest card determines the winner. If two players have the same high card, the next-highest card wins, and so on.

Strategy

You will inevitably come across poker strategies when researching this amazing casino game online. We want you to be prepared by showing you the various poker strategies that you might encounter. Moreover, we will give you an objective look at their effectiveness.

Starting Hand Selection

There is no point in retaining weak or undesirable hands unless you are a master of bluffing. While you can always choose to play them for fun, they have small chances of actually winning.

Bluffing

You cannot play poker without bluffing at last once. Bluffing can be great if you know how to do it in moderation. Too much bluffing can make you completely untrustworthy and even an annoyance.

Table Selection

A beginner should not dive head-first into high-stakes tables and other high-end competitions. He or she should stick to lower-stakes tables that have room for learning and garnering experience.

Game Selection

Not all poker games are made equal. Explore your casino’s game library and be very selective with prospective titles. There are plenty of simple games for beginners, such as Texas Hold ‘em, and complex ones, such as HORSE. Note that the latter is a mixture of Fixed Limit Hold 'em, Fixed Limit Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz (Seven Card Stud Low), Seven Card Stud (High Only), and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, so it is notoriously difficult to play.

Aggression

Aggressively betting and raising instead of being passive and calling can help you push your fellow punters into unpleasant situations. However, it can also make you the primary target of the entire table.

Varying Gameplay

Do not stick to one betting pattern. Always mix up your gameplay with unconventional or even odd bets. While this can lead to some losses, it will help you trick your opponents later down the line.

Positioning Bets

Be very careful when setting the size and timing of your bets. Betting too much can frighten opponents while betting too little can give them unfair odds to call.

Tips

We want you to have the best possible online poker gaming experience, which is why we have thoroughly investigated the world of poker and prepared the following handy tips.

Kicking Things Off

Starting something new is always daunting, especially if it involves risking your funds. We want you to start your online poker journey with minimal stress, which is why we have prepared this simple step-by-step guide to your next online poker adventure.

1 Pick a Reputable Poker Site

It is crucial that you always join a reputable poker site that is renowned for honoring payouts and going the extra mile for its patrons. We suggest that you check out our recommended poker sites and join the best today.

2 Set a Bankroll

Bankrolls are crucial to your long-term success and healthy gambling as a whole. A budget should be set before you even start playing, and you should never surpass it. Keep potential bonuses and their wagering requirements in mind when setting up a bankroll.

3 Focus on Table Position

Choosing later table positions is a huge advantage, as it helps you make informed decisions and evaluate your fellow punters. Make the most of your position and pressure your opponents whenever possible.

4 Stay Patient

Poker is all about patience. You may lose a few hands in a row, but that does not mean that you will end up losing your entire bankroll. Implement fresh strategies, do something unexpected, and never get emotional.

5 Always Withdraw

While keeping funds in your casino account might seem intuitive, it can easily lead to instinctive gambling and other problematic behavior. We recommend that you always withdraw after a gaming session. Note that this also opens up the door to claiming a new bonus when redepositing.

Terminology

You never know to what lengths your fellow poker players will go to confuse or trick you. This is why it is crucial that you are familiar with all the major lingo and slang, especially that which borders on jargon. Check out the following glossary and learn more.

Poker Glossary

Poker Variants

Check out this selection of the most popular casino poker games and see if they align with your playstyle, needs, and wants.

Ante Up 21 Blackjack

This blackjack variant forces players to play an ante (starting) bet before they receive cards. It often comes with bonus payouts for various card combinations.

Poker

This is the run-of-the-mill variant that you will find in every guidebook and online poker casino. While some titles have nuance mechanics and exciting features, most stay true to the original.

Live Poker

Live poker in the online sphere revolves around high-tech streams that are beamed directly to your device from brick-and-mortar casinos or specialized studios. It features a real dealer that manages a game as they would in real life.

Pai Gow

Punters receive seven cards each in Pai Gow Poker, with the goal of creating two poker hands consisting of five cards and two cards. The subsequent hands have to beat the dealer’s hands. If only one hand wins, the round is considered a draw.

Red Dog

Sometimes referred to as Acey Deucey, this simple poker game has punters bet on whether the third card will fall between the values of the initial two cards. Its fast and straightforward gameplay is incredibly exciting.

Texas Hold 'em

The king of online poker is a simple poker game that sees players receiving two hole cards and using five community ones to forge the ultimate hand. Some casinos refer to it as just “Hold ‘em”, so take that into account when exploring the game library.

Live Texas Hold 'em

Most poker games are available in live mode, which is also the case with Texas Hold 'em. The gameplay remains the same; the only difference is that a real dealer is involved.

Bullfight

The heart of Bullfight are two bet boxes that belong to the Red and Black Bull, respectively. Each of them receives five cards, with the scoring being akin to baccarat and the winning point being closest to 9.

3 Card Poker

This casino poker game is based on players beating the dealer with a three-card hand. The gameplay is very straightforward, with round wrapping up quite quickly.

Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker has players compete against the dealer with the goal of forming the best possible poker hand. This gives participants a sense of camaraderie.

Live Caribbean Stud Poker

A poker variant akin to Caribbean Stud Poker, with the simple difference of featuring a live dealer. Note that there is also an attractive royal flush progressive jackpot involved, as well as various side bets.

Cyber Stud Poker

This is essentially just online poker with the potential of a progressive jackpot looming overhead. The progressive jackpot is triggered by a royal flush, with the dealer’s hand being a deciding factor. If his hand does not qualify, your winnings are reduced.

Poker Ride

The objective of this poker variant is to complete a hand with a pair of tens or better. The game is focused solely on community cards, with an exciting option of placing side bets that can snag a progressive jackpot.

Hold Em High

Hold Em High is very similar to Texas Hold 'em, with the main difference being fixed betting limits. Note that the hand rankings and gameplay are the same.

Tequila Poker

An interesting take on poker that involves elements of blackjack and poker. You are tasked with forming the most substantial five-card hand, with the card points determining winners.

Let It Ride

This straightforward poker variant has you place bets and decide whether to withdraw or “let it ride”. Hands are formed from three-hole cards and two community ones.

Side Bet City

Side Bet City is a fast-paced poker game with straightforward betting options. The dealer sets the stage for 3, 5, and 7 card hands. Punters then bet on which card will lose, with the option of No Win always being on the table.

Stud Poker

Stud Poker is composed of various poker games, including Seven Card Stud and Razz. Players are given a mix of face-up and face-down cards, with the goal being besting the dealer.

Live Stud Poker

It's a poker game very similar to Stud Poker, with the main difference being a live dealer. Note that there are also side bets and the odd chance to trigger a progressive jackpot.

2-7 Triple Draw

It is an interesting poker variant that focuses on forming the lowest five-card hand possible. This type of poker is referred to as lowball poker.

2-7 Single Draw

The essence of 2-7 Single Draw is the same as 2-7 Triple Drawn, with the main difference being that there is only one drawing round.

8-Game Mix

It is a mixed poker game that revolves around eight different poker variants. The variants in question are 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold 'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold 'em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.

Badugi

A lowball poker variant that has players aiming for the lowest four-card hand with different suits. Note that the strongest hand cannot have duplicates, neither suit nor rank.

Fast-Fold Poker

Sometimes referred to as Zoom or Rush poker, this variant allows you to fold your hand immediately and jump to a new table with a new hand without waiting. Note that this is not ideal for beginners.

Five Card Draw

It's a classic poker game that has punters aiming for the best five-card hand imaginable. Players can discard three of their five-hole cards, with the hands being based on two-hole cards and five community ones.

HORSE

This mixed poker game is comprised of five different poker variants, namely Hold 'em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Stud Hi/Lo. Each round belongs to one game, which makes following gameplay insanely difficult for beginners.

Irish Poker

It's a community card poker game akin to Texas Hold 'em, with the main difference being the betting structure. Rounds start with four-hole cards and end with only two-hole cards. Hands are made in combination with five community cards.

Open Face Chinese Poker

A popular poker variant that has players build hands by placing cards face-up on the table. There are 13 cards per player, with a total of three hands being constructed.

Pineapple Poker

This take on Texas Hold 'em sees players receive three-hole cards, with the mandatory task of discarding one before the flop.

Razz

Another lowball poker variant that has players shoot for the lowest five-card hand. They have two hole cards and five community ones at their disposal.

Short deck Hold 'em

Another variant of Texas Hold 'em that removes certain cards, such as 2, 3, 4, and 5, from the deck. This leaves 36 cards, with 2 going to every punter and 5 constituting the community deck.

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FAQ

If you play at licensed, regulated, and audited online casinos or poker rooms, then the game is definitely not rigged. We suggest that you join our recommended online casinos that guarantee a safe and secure gaming experience.

Yes, you definitely can! Real players are present in various poker rooms. Some poker platforms even host special competitions that pit you against your fellow poker punters.

You can definitely find plenty of online poker games with real dealers. These dealers either host conventional poker games or offer a unique player-vs-dealer experience.

We would say that these are the highest-ranked casinos on our list of poker recommendations. Said venues excel at banking options, game selection, customer support, ambiance, and more.

Yes, there are plenty! You can find every casino bonus under the sun, including deposit matching, no deposit, welcome, free tournament ticket, cashback, and even reload bonuses. However, never claim a bonus without exploring its terms and conditions first.

You can expect a nearly endless supply of variants. Not only do poker games branch off into exciting genres such as Texas Hold 'em or Omaha, but they also offer different themes, mechanics, and bonus features as titles within these genres.

We highly recommend Texas Hold ‘em due to its simple rules. You can even play it in free and demo mode at select poker venues.

If you are a beginner, sure! There is no shame in playing it safe, especially if you are unfamiliar with the game in question.

If you are a beginner, most definitely. However, if you are familiar with online poker and have some hands-on experience, there is no reason why you should not taste high-limit online poker. Note that high-limit online games are far more costly than conventional or low-limit ones.

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