The Ultimate 2023 Guide to Online Poker: Master the Game

The Comprehensive Guide to Online Poker: Learn the Rules, Strategies, Tips, and Terminology. Discover a detailed overview of poker games, explanations of different poker variants, access to free poker games, and top-rated online casinos for playing real money poker, all expertly reviewed and ranked.

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Overview

Casino poker games can be confusing for new players who are used to playing poker on television or online. These games require multiple players, a dealer, and specialized equipment. However, online casino poker games use similar winning hands and gameplay mechanics as offline poker games.

Players play against the house in these games using a random number generator. The house deals cards to the player and itself, and the player must form the best hand possible to beat the house. This makes casino poker a good option for learning the game without interference from other players. Our guide to online casino poker covers the game's history, the pros and cons of playing, and a glossary of terms.

We also provide information on online poker rules, tips for becoming a better player, and recommended online casinos with poker-friendly welcome bonuses. Additionally, we introduce 40 popular casino poker games and answer frequently asked questions about playing online poker.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Play from anywhere and at any time
Enjoy a wider variety of games and stakes
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Cons
Lack of face-to-face interaction
The increased temptation to play more

History

Poker, known today primarily for its popular version Texas Hold 'em, has deep roots in history dating back to the 1700s in France. Variations of the game can also be found in Chinese and Persian history.

Originally called Poque, French settlers brought the game to the United States during the American Civil War in the 1860s, and it quickly gained popularity. The version of Texas Hold 'em that is popular today was developed in the early 20th century in Texas but failed to gain popularity until it was introduced in Las Vegas by the Golden Nugget casino in the late 1960s.

The Inaugural Texas Hold 'em competition at Dune Casino helped to launch the game into mainstream success. The World Series of Poker, a major poker event created by the Binion brothers, helped to solidify Texas Hold 'em as the leading form of poker. With the advent of the internet, it gained global recognition and popularity.


Popular Terms

Here is a list of popular poker terms and their explanations:

  • Ante: A small amount of money that all players are required to put in the pot before a hand begins.
  • Blind: A forced bet used to create action and build the pot in particular poker games.
  • Burn card: A card that is dealt face-down and then discarded before the flop, turns, or river.
  • Call: To match the amount of a previous bet or raise it to stay in the game.
  • Check: To pass on betting when it is your turn but stay in the game without putting in more money.
  • Flop: The first three community cards that are dealt face-up in a game of Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
  • Fold: To give up your hand and exit the current round of betting.
  • Hole cards: The two face-down cards dealt to each player at the beginning of a hand.
  • Pot: The total amount of money bet during a hand.
  • Raise: To increase the amount of a previous bet to put pressure on other players.
  • Rake: A small percentage of the house's pot is taken as a fee for hosting the game.
  • River: The final community card dealt face-up in a game of Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
  • Showdown: The point at the end of a hand when all remaining players reveal their cards to determine the winner.
  • Turn: The fourth community card dealt face-up in a game of Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
  • All-in: When players bet all their remaining chips in a single move, they are considered all-in.
  • Bankroll: The total amount of money a player has set aside to play poker.
  • Big Blind: The larger of the two blinds in a poker game.
  • Small Blind: The smaller of the two blinds in a poker game.
  • Pot Odds: Pot odds are the ratio of the current size of the pot to the cost of a contemplated call.
  • Position refers to where a player sits at the table and when it is their turn to act during a hand.
  • Heads-up: A game or match in which only two players are playing.
  • Kicker: A kicker is the highest unpaired card in a player's hand.

For the complete list of all poker terms you need to know about, visit our Poker Terms Glossary.


Rules

The basic rules of poker include the following:

  • Players are dealt cards, and the goal is to make the best hand possible using those cards in combination with community cards.
  • Players take turns betting, with the player going first to the dealer's left.
  • The player with the best hand at the end of the final betting round wins the pot, which is the sum of all the money bet during the hand.

The ranking of poker hands, from highest to lowest, is as follows:

  1. Royal flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit
  2. Straight flush: Any five cards of the same suit in consecutive order
  3. Four of a kind: Four cards of the same rank
  4. Full house: Three of a kind and a pair
  5. Flush: Any five cards of the same suit
  6. Straight: Any five cards in consecutive order, regardless of suit
  7. Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank
  8. Two pairs: Two different pairs
  9. One pair: Two cards of the same rank
  10. High card: The highest card in a hand if no other hand is made.

It is also important to note that in the event of a tie, the pot is split among the tied players. Also, different variations of poker may have different rules and hand rankings. The most popular ones are Texas Hold'em and Omaha, but there are also many more games like Seven Card Stud, Razz, and Five Card Draw.

It's important to note that no one-size-fits-all strategy works in every situation. As you gain experience and improve your skills, you can adjust your strategy and make better decisions based on the case.

Tips

Mastering the Game: Expert Tips for Winning at Poker:

Getting Started

Transitioning to playing online casino poker doesn't have to be complicated. Our straightforward guide will make becoming an online casino poker player seamless and effortless, even if you have only played online slots or other non-card games.

1 Finding a reputable online poker site

Research different online poker sites and read our reviews to find a reputable and trustworthy site. Look for sites that are licensed and regulated, have a good reputation, and offer a wide variety of games.

2 Creating an account

Once you have chosen a poker site, create an account by providing your information and verifying your identity. Make sure to select a strong password.

3 Depositing money

You will need to deposit money into your account to play for real money. Online poker sites offer a variety of deposit methods - pick the one you are most comfortable with.

4 Choosing a game

Browse the available games and choose one that you would like to play. Popular online poker games include Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and Razz.

5 Understanding the game rules

Before you start playing, make sure you understand the rules of the game and the different types of hands you can make. Our site has poker help and FAQ guides that can provide more information about the game rules.

6 Playing the game

Once you understand the rules, you can start playing. Follow a betting strategy and make decisions based on the cards you have and the actions of the other players.

7 Withdrawing money

When you are ready to withdraw your winnings, go to the site's cashier section and request a withdrawal. Ensure you understand any applicable fees or restrictions before requesting a withdrawal.

8 Continuously learning and improving

Read books, watch tutorials and learn from the guides on our site to improve your game.

Terms

Our comprehensive glossary of online poker terms will give you a thorough understanding of the game, enabling you to keep up with the jargon used by more experienced players and fully participate in the game.

Poker Glossary

Poker Types

Explore a wide range of casino poker games from around the world with our information about the most popular ones:

Ante Up 21 Blackjack

A variation of blackjack where players must pay an ante before each hand, and the goal is to get a hand with a value of 21 or as close as possible without going over.

Poker

A card game where players combine their cards and community cards to form the best hand and win the pot.

Live Poker

A version of online poker played with real live dealers and players as opposed to the regular online version.

Pai Gow

A Chinese gambling game played with tiles instead of cards. The goal is to create two hands out of four tiles that beat the banker's two hands.

Red Dog

A card game where players bet on whether the next card will fall between the value of two previously drawn cards.

Texas Hold 'em

A popular version of poker where players use two-hole cards and five community cards to form the best hand.

Live Texas Hold 'em

A live version of Texas Hold 'em played in live streaming with real players.

Bullfight

A card game played with a Spanish deck of 40 cards. The goal is to win tricks and have the highest point total at the end of the game.

3 Card Poker

A variation of poker where players use only three cards to form their hand and can make additional bets on certain hand combinations.

Caribbean Stud Poker

A casino table game where players play against the house rather than each other. Players use five cards to form their hands and can make additional bets on certain combinations.

Live Caribbean Stud Poker

A live version of Caribbean Stud Poker played in real-time with live streaming.

Cyber Stud Poker

An online version of Caribbean Stud Poker

Poker Ride

A casino table game where players build the best five-card hand possible using community cards and their cards.

Hold Em High

A variation of Texas Hold'em where players are dealt four-hole cards instead of two and have to use the best five-card hand from the six cards.

Tequila Poker

A casino table game where players make a standard poker hand using four hole cards and five community cards and also have the option to play a separate "Tequila" hand using their hole cards only

Let It Ride

A casino table game where players make their best five-card hand using three cards dealt to them and two community cards.

Side Bet City

A casino table game where players can make side bets on certain hand combinations.

Stud Poker

A poker game where players are dealt a mix of face-up and face-down cards and must use the best five-card hand possible.

Live Stud Poker

A live version of Stud Poker played in the live-streamed video.

2-7 Triple Draw

A version of draw poker where players aim to make the lowest possible hand and can exchange up to three cards in three rounds of betting

2-7 Single Draw

A version of draw poker where players aim to make the lowest possible hand and can exchange one card in one round of betting.

8-Game Mix

A game where players are dealt two hole cards and must use one and only one of them in combination with five community cards to make their best hand.

Badugi

A draw poker game to make the best hand of four cards, with the lowest being an Ace.

Fast-Fold Poker

A type of online poker where players can fold their hand and immediately be dealt into a new hand, rather than waiting for the current hand to finish.

Five Card Draw

A traditional poker game where players are dealt five cards, can exchange up to five cards, and aim to make the best hand possible.

HORSE

A type of poker where players rotate through different variations of the game, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-card Stud, and Seven-card Stud Hi-Lo.

Irish Poker

A variation of Texas Hold'em where players are dealt four-hole cards and must use two of them in combination with five community cards to make their best hand.

Open Face Chinese Poker

A Chinese gambling game played with cards. The goal is to make three hands with increasing value and beat the opponent's three hands.

Pineapple Poker

A variation of Texas Hold'em where players are dealt three-hole cards but must discard one before the flop.

Razz

A variation of Seven Card Stud where the goal is to make the lowest possible hand.

Short Deck Hold 'em

A variation of Texas Hold'em where the Deck contains only 36 cards (2 to 5 removed) changes the ranking of hands and the probability of certain cards being dealt.

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FAQ

Online poker is a digital version of the popular card game played over the internet. Players can participate in cash games and tournaments, and the gameplay is similar to traditional poker played in person.

The legality of online poker varies depending on the location. In some countries, it is entirely legal, while in others, it is illegal or only partially legal. Therefore, checking the laws in your country before playing online poker is essential.

To start playing online poker, you must find a reputable online poker site and create an account. You will also need to deposit money into your account to play for real money.

Many different online poker games are available, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Razz, and Five Card Draw.

Many online poker sites offer free-to-play versions of their games, which allow players to practice and learn the game without risking any money.

Online poker sites offer a variety of methods for depositing and withdrawing money, such as credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.

Reputable online poker sites use random number generators to ensure that the cards dealt are truly random, and third-party companies audit them to ensure fairness.

Many online poker sites offer bonuses and promotions, such as welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and loyalty programs.

When choosing an online poker site, you should look for a site that is licensed and regulated, offers a wide variety of games, has a good reputation, and offers fast and secure deposit and withdrawal options.

Some tips for playing online poker include playing tight and aggressively, managing your bankroll, and reading your opponents. Additionally, it's crucial to learn and improve your skills continuously.

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