Online poker meshes strategy with chance to create a unique gaming experience that is exciting and rewarding. In the past, recreational players could only play the game in card rooms, casinos, and kitchen tables. But nowadays, you can play poker for real money online.
If you would like to find out more about playing poker online, read on. We have created a game guide that covers all you need to know about this classic casino game. We have also listed the best online casinos with real money or prizes so can start playing!
Play Online Poker Real Money Here
Poker Links
- Play Poker for Real Money Here
- Why Play Online?
- How We Choose the Best Casinos
- Top 5 Online Poker Sites
- How to Play
- Variations
- Tips and Tricks
- Play Live
- Free Games
- Is Playing Online Legal?
- FAQs
Why You Should Play Poker Online
Although poker is mostly based on luck, there is an element of strategy involved. By keeping a cool head and working on your bluffing skills, you can pull off the impossible. Online casinos allow you to test your skills in online poker tournaments, which are held regularly.
Virtual casinos also provide you with access to variations that aren’t readily available at all brick-and-mortar casinos, including:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha
- Five Card Draw
- Caribbean Stud
- Three Card Poker
How We Choose the Best Online Poker Sites
Nobody wants to get duped by a fake gambling site. So, we put every online casino we come across through a strict review process to ensure it is safe. Here are some of the key areas we focus on:
- Safety – is the poker site regulated by online gambling governing authorities? Are the games regularly tested for fairness?
- Bonuses – nowadays, every casino offers you a bonus for signing up. However, only some are worth taking. Is this offer worth it?
- Payout Speed – nobody wants to wait forever to get their winnings. If a poker site makes you wait several months for your money, avoid it.
- Games – not everybody is keen on playing the same variations. So, casinos need to offer a variety of poker tables with high- and low-stakes betting options.
- Mobile Poker – more than 38% of all casino gaming is done on mobile, so a site needs to be compatible with the platform.
Top 5 Online Poker Sites
1. Bovada
We usually recommend Bovada for sports betting, but the site has a thriving casino too, and it is filled with poker games. The sportsbook and casino hosts poker tournaments regularly with massive prizes.
2. Lucky Red Casino
Lucky Red Casino is one of our favorite poker sites. The casino is powered by Realtime Gaming and has many variations on offer, including Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Caribbean Draw, and Pai Gow Poker.
3. BoVegas Casino
BoVegas is also powered by Realtime Gaming and offers players access to all the most popular poker variations. Also, some of their bonus offers can be used on table games.
4. All-Star Slots
All-Star Slots offers players hours of fun with interesting poker games. Expect swift deposits and withdrawals, and so much more at this wonderful poker site!
5. Exclusive Casino
Exclusive Casino has bonuses, games, and everything else you could ever want from a poker site. You can even play the game with live dealers and players if you like!
How to Play Poker – Step-by-Step
Playing a real poker online game is very easy. We have created a short how-to-play guide that focuses on the basics to get you up to speed.
Step 1: Choose your variation
Pick the game you would like to play. There are two types of games:
- Ring games
- Tournaments with prize pools
You can join ring games whenever they like, but online poker tournaments are only available for a limited time. Both of these games also feature pot limit (games have a fixed limit on how much you can bet) and limitless options.
Step 2: Place a Bet
All poker variations start with you placing an ante (a bet) before the game starts. Once every player bet has been recorded, the round will start.
Step 3: Get your cards
Depending on the variation, you will be dealt with between two to five cards. Your next move is based on the score of your hand. You can either bet, raise, call, or fold.
Step 4: Showdown
Showdown rules vary across variations. The gist of it is that cards are revealed, and you find out whether you have won.
Poker Hands Explained
Poker Games Online: Variations
There are loads of poker variations available. Here are some of the most popular:
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is a community card game often used in tournaments. It is easy to learn and but quite volatile too, so it is not for everyone.
Three Card Poker
Also known as 3 Card Poker, three card poker is played with three cards. Thus, hand combinations are adapted to fit the gameplay. Although it is loved for its fast-paced nature, the game does not offer great payouts.
Seven-Card Stud
Although this variation is not as popular as it once was, loads of players still enjoy it. The game features no community cards and all betting limits are fixed. This means volatility is lowered.
Omaha Hold’em
Omaha Hold’em is popular with European players due to its fast nature and high betting limits. Players get four cards, and while the rest are community cards.
Five Card Draw
Five Card Draw is the most traditional variation of poker. Players get five cards and try to make the best hand possible. The game is heavily reliant on bluffing.
Play Poker Online for Money: Tips and Tricks
Lots of poker players are interested in becoming pros. So, here are some tips to help you reach that goal:
Fold If You Are Unsure
If you are unsure about the quality of a hand, rather fold than risk it. You don’t want to go into a showdown with a pair of twos, especially if there is a chance your opponent could have a straight flush or better.
Take Poker Seriously
Gambling is a serious business. If you want to make money, you need to understand how hands work and constantly refine your strategy.
Be Realistic
You will not win every game of poker you play for real money. Be prepared to face some losses as it is a part of gambling.
Best Online Poker Free Games
Free online poker is a standard at casino sites. There are many reasons to try free games instead of cash, including:
- Free games allow you to practice new variations at no risk.
- You get the chance to practice strategies at no risk.
- You get to keep playing even when your bankroll is bust.
Is Online Poker Legal?
Many players would like to try poker online but are held back by whether it is legal. The answer to this question is dependent on the gambling regulations in the state you live in.
It is legal to play online in some states, whereas, in others, it is not. So, you need to check with your state legislator before playing online. Here are some states that have legalized online poker for real money:
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Nevada
Check out our other games pages:
Online Poker – FAQs
Yes, you can. It is one of the games most commonly available at casino sites.
If you play at any of our recommended online casinos, we can assure you that the poker is not rigged. That stated, if you choose to play at a blacklisted or even seedy-looking casino, we cannot guarantee that you stand a fair chance of winning.
The best online poker sites are:
1. BoVegas
2. Lucky Red
3. Irish Luck
4. Supernova
5. Golden Lion
It is suggested that No-Limit Texas Hold’em is the best variation to play in terms of profitability.
Yes, in some senses. Online players tend to be a little more frugal, so they don’t place big bets as often. They are also likely to play more hands due to opportunities to use tracking software.
There is no definitive answer to this. Some responsible gaming experts believe that it is 100% luck and others believe that it is about 38% skill and 62% luck.
There is no way to win every poker round you play. There are some strategies to ensure to lessen the odds, but that’s about it.
It is estimated that less than 10% of players are profitable. So, you shouldn’t go into games thinking that you are going to win every round.
Yes and no. If you like playing poker, then yes, it is worth playing. However, if you are looking to make money, you’ve got to come to terms with the fact that you will lose a lot of money.