The Basics of Online Poker

Poker is one of the world’s most popular casino games, with millions of players tuning in online or in person for poker globally.

Online poker is, for the most part, a variant of poker played on the internet. It’s not to be confused with video poker, though – the two game categories are similar but not identical. Online poker has been steadily growing in popularity in the past few years, all thanks to the fact that it allows players to enjoy a game that’s both fun and potentially profitable.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics in online poker, show the most popular poker games variants, hands and rules. Moreover, the guide also offers insight into ways to expand poker knowledge and proficiency, complete with tips for beginners.

What Is Online Poker?

Online poker is a digital version of the classic card game where players compete against each other for chips or real money.

The core rules remain the same as in traditional poker, but the game takes place on a computer or mobile device.

There are many types of poker games available online, but the most popular is Texas Hold’em, followed by Omaha and Seven Card Stud.

Unlike in live poker, online platforms offer players the convenience of quick gameplay, 24/7 availability, and access to global opponents. That is why online poker suits more players than live poker, because there are fewer limitations in terms of table limits, working hours, etc.

In majority of poker games, winning hands are composed out of 5 cards. How they are dealt depends on the game variety, but each features several betting rounds which give you a number of options as to the kind of action you can take.

Based on the quality of your hand, and an educated guess on what your opponents might be holding, you can see the game through until the “showdown”, or abandon it at an earlier stage to cut your losses.

Let’s have a look at the what you absolutely need to know before placing your chips on the table for the very first time.

How Online Poker Works

Before you start beating fellow poker players with a fierce poker face, you need to locate an online casino and join it. Here is the shortest way to start playing poker online for real money.

Getting start with poker is very simple:

1. Select a poker site – Look for a casino among licensed, reputable online casino platforms.
2. Create an account – Sign up or sign in if you already have an account. if you are new, complete the registration (it should not take more than 10 minutes).
3. Verify your account – Once you have joined, try to complete the KYC verification process as soon as possible to make the account more secure.
4. Deposit funds – Before playing games for real money, players must deposit funds to their accounts using secure payments like cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
5. Browse the lobby – Go through available tables, tournaments, or cash games to find online poker games. They are typically in the table game section.
6. Join a game – Select your stake level and game type, then take a seat at the virtual table. If playing online, everything is RNG so don’t expect live features.

Online poker rooms tend to offer an array of useful tools that help players, such as hand histories, stats, and chat features.

Once you have chosen the game you want to play, the rules are simple: get the cards dealt in your hand and try to form the best hand possible to win the round. Let’s discuss the rules and hand rankings more below.

Basic Poker Rules & Hand Rankings

Understanding poker hand rankings is crucial for poker success. In fact, it matters not only for poker, but for other card games too, especially those that might have poker-related side bets (like blackjack).

Here is an overview of all poker hand, ranked from highest to lowest.

Payouts depend on the game limits, as well as the amount that was staked during the game.

Card Dealing Rules

Card dealing is not the same in every poker variant. In fact, the type of poker determines the way the cards are dealt.

For instance, in Stud games, each player gets their own cards, some of which are face-up, and some hidden (private).

If you’re playing a Draw variant, you’ll get your own cards but also have an opportunity to exchange one, a few or all of them for new ones.

Games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker feature community cards, on top of your own. Community cards can be used to form winning combinations by any of the players sharing the same table.

Texas Hold’em is the most popular online poker variant, so it’s the most common version you’ll find at online casinos.

In Texas Hold’em, players are dealt two private cards (that only they can see) and can use them together with the five dealt community cards to form the best five-card hand.

Betting Rounds

Another part that is vital to understand is how the betting rounds work.

Namely, in each game round, there are normally several types of action you can take when it’s your time to act.

One is to Check, meaning you continue the game without placing additional bets. One can only do this if none of the opponents have made a bet during that particular round.

An alternative action to take in this situation is to Bet an additional amount, forcing other players to follow if they wish to remain in the game.

When you’re holding a low value hand and your chances of winning are poor, you can choose to Fold, discarding your cards and removing yourself from the game.

While you’re still in, and one or more players make a bet during a certain round, you can Call by matching the amount(s) they have staked.

And finally, you can Raise by matching the highest bet made, and making an additional bet on top.

In general, every round has four betting rounds:

1. Pre-Flop – After players receive their two hole cards, the first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
2. Flop – Three community cards are dealt face-up in the centre of the table. Players get a second round of betting.
3. Turn – Dealer deals a fourth community card. Then, another round of betting follows.
4. River – The fifth and final community card is dealt. The final round of betting takes place.

After the river betting round, if more than one player remains playing, they get a showdown. The showdown is the final part of the game where the best hand wins the entire prize.

At any stage, players can fold, call, raise, or check depending on the situation and table position.

Forms of Online Poker

There are four ways to enjoy poker online for real money.

You can either play cash games – which are regular online poker games in the lobby – or join tournaments.

Casino tournaments are a fantastic way to enjoy the game, and there are several types of casino poker tournaments.

You can join standard tournaments, where you are required to pay an entry fee to compete, or play a freebie (although these are rarer for poker). There are also Sit & Go tourneys, which are tournament events that are smaller in size. They start when a set number of players have joined the event.

Whatever option you choose, make sure you have set a budget and are sticking to it without overspending.

Tips for Beginners

Advanced poker strategy is for players who are more versed in the art of poker. If you are new and are barely just beginning the adventure, try to follow these four easy tips:

Small stakes are better

Start with smaller bets and then gradually increase it as you become more comfortable with playing poker. Build confidence and proficiency before investing big bucks.

Bankroll management is your mantra

Set up a budget that you are adhering to no matter what. Don’t bet what you cannot afford to lose.

Choose low-stake games with minimal distractions

For beginners, focus is the main struggle, especially if they launch noisy live poker tables. Pick games with minimal interruptions where you can concentrate on gameplay.

Try hands slowly

And whatever you do, don’t try to play too many hands. It’s okay to Fold if you notice that the round is not going how you want it to go. Always play responsibly.

Is Online Poker Legal and Safe?

Although poker is played in all parts of the world, different countries have different rules and laws for online gambling. What is more, poker and other casino games don’t necessarily have to fall under the same category of gambling, so it’s critical to inspect the rules of one’s country thoroughly before playing poker online.

The best way to ensure that poker is allowed in your country is to check the licencing and legislation. Moreover, before entering an online casino, check whether the casino is correctly licensed to offer the games and gambling services they are offering.

Lastly, check the game’s game supplier, as that is another way to ensure the safety of and legitimacy of the game in question.

Conclusion

Online poker is an exciting and rewarding version of the card game. The main benefit of playing online is accessibility –  it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

With a bit of practice, understanding of the rules, and smart bankroll management, you can enjoy poker at the biggest online casinos in the world. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, online poker is a game of strategy, so understanding the rules and building skill is important. It’s also a gambling game that you can easily lose yourself in, so please try to have fun, but also play responsibly.

FAQ

• Is online poker rigged?

No, online poker is not rigged. Like all online casino games, it uses RNG to generate unpredictable sequences that allow you to play poker that is fair and safe.

• How much can I win?

That depends on the chosen game, table limits, and wagers staked on a specific round.

• What is the best hand in poker?

Royal Flush is the best hand in poker. You can see the entire list of poker hands above.

• Do I have to pay the ante bet?

Ante bets are forced bets that are required at the start of the round. They are common in Draw and Stud poker games, but you are not very likely to see them in poker variants with blind bets (such as Omaha and Texas Hold’em). So no, you do not have to pay the ante bet in every single poker variant, but if you are playing a type of poker that features the ante bet, you will have to pay it to participate in the round.

• Is online poker the same as live poker?

No, it’s not. Nor is it the same as video poker. Online poker is a game of poker that is played against other players, while video poker is more or less a version of 5-card poker similar to solitaire, where players play against the house.