Howdy cowboy, how about a game of online poker? There are many good options for playing poker online – both multiplayer games and the casino variants. Here, I’m going to walk you through some of the possibilities. Hold on to your hat, and let’s get dealin’!
Best Online Poker Sites
If you are looking to get in on the action of online poker, you have come to the right place! I’m Bernie and I will guide you through the steps to choosing the best poker sites that support the hottest games. Learn poker rules, pick up useful poker strategy tips, and discover poker terms that will pave the road to a thrilling and rewarding online poker experience.
With our guide, you will learn everything you need to learn how to play poker and have a secure experience online. Ready to get started? Take a look at some of the best poker sites we have listed, all of which present secure access, trusted games, and excellent betting options for real money play. Within minutes, you can create an account and play some of the most popular games anywhere online.
Brief history of poker
As one of the oldest card games being played today, poker has a long history. Many historians believe that this game started being played as long as 10 centuries ago, though the types of games have drastically changed over time. Today, you can find thrilling variations of poker online and will also learn that many of the leading developers of software are working to design new versions of the game.
For hundreds of years, poker has been played around the world with French, English, and even Egyptian colonists having a history of playing this card game. The poker we enjoy today is an enhanced version of those old games, offering new poker rules, more betting options, special game features, and better chances of winning.
How Bernie recommends and evaluates the best online poker sites
When choosing the best online poker sites, Bernie takes many things into consideration. He wants to ensure you have the best possible experience playing at legal sites that feature some of the most popular game variations available. Read on to learn how the listed sites meet Bernie’s criteria. Check these out before you register at an online poker site.
- Trustworthiness: All listed casino sites hold a valid license to operate from a trusted jurisdiction, ensuring fair games and player protection at all times. Only sites with current and valid licenses are promoted for poker online real money play.
- Bonuses: Watch for the best-paying bonuses. Bernie makes sure to hand select sites that feature amazing bonus deals. With these, you can benefit from deposit bonuses as well as poker no deposit bonus offers to get started with real money games. He also watches for sites that feature recurring promotional offers.
- Game variety: You will want to play poker online at a site that has many variations. This will be determined by the software powering the site. The best sites will have many game variations and multiple betting options that will cater to all of your gambling needs.
- Mobile friendly: With so many players engaging in mobile gambling, Bernie makes sure that all listed sites provide mobile access. This is either through the use of a provided app for Android and iOS devices or with an instant-play format, allowing you to use any operating system to access poker games on the go.
- Support: In the event that you need assistance with your account, game access, poker rules, bonus redemption, or anything else, customer services is essential. Time has been taken to review the support options to ensure you can contact the support team using different methods and get a fast and friendly response.
- Design & innovation: Site design and visual presentation will enhance the gaming experience. Bernie watches for sites that use the latest technology to deliver a large selection of games while ensuring the site is easy to navigate but fun to play at. The design of a site does not impact gameplay but can create a realistic feeling for poker enthusiasts.
Online Poker Rules: The basics
When playing online poker, you will want to develop some skills based on the variation you are playing. These games combine skill and lick to create the best players. Before you get started with any version of online poker, you need to review the poker rules that are being used. These will be different for each game type and some gams have added betting features or even side bets that can be played.
Many online casinos will offer game tutorials. These are beneficial if you are a new player and are still learning how to play poker. Here, we provide you with a basic overview of poker rules and also discuss the different poker hands you will encounter.
Read about Poker Rules!Bernie gives you quick poker tips
Assuming you have already taken the time to learn poker rules, positions, and hand rankings, you can use some of these easy tips to be a better player, even if you are completely new to the game. First, start with low stakes games until you become comfortable. As your skill level increases, boost the bet amount. Avoid playing at multi-table games or events until you have mastered a single version of poker. Another beneficial tip for new players is to take time to learn poker odds. This will help when you are trying to understand the price to pay in comparison with the win amount that is available.
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Poker variations – Different poker games
Online poker is a game that combines skill, luck and strategy. That’s what makes the game so exciting!
There are several kinds of poker. They differ with regard to the number of cards used, the betting sequence, and game play. In some poker rules, it is the highest hand that win, while in others, it is the lowest. Others yet are split games where both the highest and the lowest hand can win. Below you can read about a few of the most popular poker games:
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold ‘Em is the most widespread form of poker, and the one that is played in all the big tournaments. It’s where the big money and the big fame is. Are you ready to reach for the deepest pods with superstars like Gus Hansen, Nguyen and Peter Eastgate? Check or fold!
Omaha Hi/Lo
Omaha Hi/Lo also known as Omaha/8 and Omaha 8-or-better, is probably the most popular form of poker after Texas Hold ‘Em. Its poker rules are different from many other games in that players can choose to aim at assembling either the highest or lowest possible hand. It takes a lot of daring to go for the lowest possible hand!
Five Card Stud
Five Card Stud is one of the oldest kinds of poker, and likely had its origins in the American Civil War. Five card Stud isn’t that popular anymore. Oddly enough, Five Card Stud is still played a lot in Finland under the name sökö. But Finland is a pretty strange place, too!
Five-Card draw
Five Card Draw is often considered the simplest form of poker. According to its poker rules, the player is dealt 5 cards Face Down, one at a time. The objective is then to assemble the best possible five-card hand. This kind of poker was used as the basis for video poker, which today is much more popular than Five Card Draw itself.
Poker terms and phrases
Poker terms will play an important online poker experience. You need to be familiar with the popular phrases that are used when sitting at a table. For those of you that are just getting started, here is a list of the top 10 poker terms you will hear. Every good player will have a complete understanding of these terms and will know how they apply to playing the real money games that are featured at leading casino sites.
- Action: This term refers to the players’ action at the table and whether they are betting, raising, folding, or calling
- All-in: This means you are placing all of your remaining chips in the pot to continue playing the hand.
- Bluff: This is a term that means another player is trying to convince others that they have a strong hand when it fact it is a weak hand.
- Buy-In: The minimum amount needed to enter a real money poker game.
- Call: When you call, you will be betting the same amount that he last player bet.
- Check: If there has been no betting by players before you, you can check which means you are passing and not betting.
- Fold: If you have a weak hand that cannot be improved, you can fold the hand to end the game and you will forfeit any chance of winning.
- Kicker: The card with the highest value in the hand that is not paired or used to create a ranking hand.
- Open: The act of placing the very first bet in a poker game.
- Pot: This is the total amount of all antes, blinds, and bets that have been made.
Poker online multiplayer
Online poker multiplayer had quite a boom in the early 20th century, and it’s still popular. Nothing beats competing against another human being, testing out your strategy and your ability to make proper decisions under pressure!
Unlike online casinos, which seems to pop up like mushrooms during autumn, online poker sites are fewer but more long-lived. The reason is that poker is community-based: You play against other players, and if there is nobody to play with, it doesn’t matter how great a new site looks or how many different tables there are.
Below, I describe some of the best sites for multiplayer online poker. It’s mainly Texas Hold ’Em that is played, but if you are lucky (and can find an opponent), Omaha Hi/Lo can also be found. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the bonuses offered to new players!
Pokerstars
Of all the various online poker sites out there, Pokerstars reign supreme, and I think it will continue to do so for quite a long time. But what makes Pokerstars the better online poker site? It’s simply:
- Stronger community: Pokerstars have a lot of users. There’s always someone new to play with!
- Daily tournaments for everyone – from high rollers to penny players
- Free sign up bonuses: Try at no cost!
- They are a leading worldwide promoter of online poker culture
- The Pokerstars school teaching new players how to play
I guess the above points speak for themselves. Anyone interested in online poker should try Pokerstars at least once. End of story!
Bwin Poker
Bwin Poker is another big, worldwide online poker site. What sets Bwin apart from the competition is the sites focus on cash backs as well as the very deep pots that can be competed for. Bwin is also worth visiting because of its Omaha tables. This is actually one of the few places where you can play Omaha multiplayer poker!
888Poker
Ah, good ol’ 888poker. 888 is a really lucky number, you know? And it’s hard not to feel lucky with 888poker’s no deposit poker bonus. The game selection includes Texas Hold ’Em and Omaha Hi/Lo, and the site features weekly free rolls for satellite tournaments and lots of other events. This site is really friendly with mobile phones, too!
Live casino poker
Several versions of casino poker games are available as live dealer games, including the famous Casino Hold ’Em. Played with a live dealer, this game is as entertaining as it is rewarding. In my opinion, it’s much more fun than blackjack and baccarat! Here are some of the types of games you can encounter on a live casino.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is also known as double hand poker and is inspired by a Chinese dominoes game called Pai Gow. Mostly, this kind of poker is played as a casino game with quite a heavy house edge. Nevertheless, it’s entertaining and exotic!
Red Dog Poker
Red Dog Poker is not poker probably speaking, but a card-based chance game akin to in-between. This game is not found that much more on land-based casinos, but it is quite frequently offered on online casinos.
Casino Hold ’Em
Casino Hold ’Em is another variant of the poker game suited for the casino setting. It was developed sometime in the 90ies and quickly took the world by storm, probably because of the high payout percentage and the captivating gameplay!
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud is a great game – except for your wallet! Having a game of Caribbean stud is relaxing, and if you are playing with a live dealer, they will often take time for chit chat and shenanigans between the rounds. What’s not to like?
Oh well, in spite of Caribbean Stud being a joy to play, chances are that your mood will be less uplifted once you leave the table. The payback percentage of Caribbean Stud is only 94,776%. You shouldn’t let this worry you though: If you play the game with optimal strategy, there will be plenty of wins to be had!
Video Poker online
Video poker machines became popular in Las Vegas sometimes in the 90’ies, and they quickly took the world by storm. These machines offer easy to play variants of different online poker games. People love them because it’s a cozy game that can be as fast or slow-paced as you like. The money prizes are fantastic too and hitting a Royal Flush on a poker machine could win you 400 your bet back!
Thanks to game developers like Play N’ Go, it’s also possible to play video poker online. To me, the best casino to do it at would be InterCasino. Here there’s a very good selection of video poker machines, and the casino is also famous for giving its customers ‘the real deal’ when it comes to VIP treatment. If it’s video poker you’re looking for, give it a go!
Choosing the right poker site for you
Now that you have some background on the game of poker and know how to get started playing online poker, you will want to find the best site that meets your needs. If you are new to the game, be sure to take some time to practice poker strategies and skills using the free games that are featured at leading sites. With some time and patience, you can become a great player and start taking home some of the large paying pots! If you are ready to jump right in, find your new poker online site using our list of reputable and trusted online sites at the top of this page.
Frequently Asked Question about Poker
To play online poker, first, you need to signup at one of our sites. You can play for free or make a deposit to start playing for real money. The games follow standard poker rules, just like those used at land casinos.
To win in poker, you must be familiar with poker rules and pick up some game strategies to use. Practice with free games until you have the needed skills and they place your bets to have the chance to collect pot payouts.
Yes, it is possible to make a living of poker. To be able to win, you need to work on your poker skills. Read more about strategies here.
You can surely play online poker for free. In fact, we recommend this to all new players. Free poker games will not offer real money payouts, but they do offer you the time needed to master skills and learn how to play poker using the provided rules. The free games are exactly the same as real money games without the financial risk.
There are many poker variations to enjoy online Each casino site will have different games based on the software developer used. You can even find great variations at online poker rooms. Some of the popular versions of the game include Texas Hold Em, Casio Hold Em, Omaha Poker, Pai Gow Poker, and Caribbean Stud Poker.
No. Online poker games are fair and provide equal chances at winning. Being a winner will be determined by your skills that have been developed and what game strategies you choose to use when you play. The best poker sites offer audited games that are tested for fairness on a regular basis.
Finding the best poker site is quite simple. Bernie has done the legwork and has provided a list of sites that are licensed and offer fair and fun games. The best sites offer multiple betting options, many game variations, and you can even benefit from some poker bonuses that can boost the bankroll.
