Learn How To Play Poker
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker is one of the most famous card games ever. The history of poker can be traced back to the 15th century in Germany. However, the game as we know it today dates back to the 19th century and comes from America. Today, this popular game is played all over the world. Parties range from an evening of poker with friends to international tournaments. Poker has also become one of the most popular casino games.
There is more to this simple game than meets the eye. After all, the saying goes, “poker takes a minute to learn but a lifetime to master”. The game is not difficult to learn, but mastering the game well takes a lot of time. In this post, you can learn how to play poker; therefore, we recommend reading the full review, as then you will learn all you need to know about poker. From the rules of the game to tips for playing online, we’ll help you on your way to becoming a grandmaster.
Learn How To Play Poker – Play Poker Online
You can play poker just about anywhere. You can play a game with a deck of cards and at least two players. Still, nothing beats playing poker at a real poker table with other enthusiasts. You can go to a land-based casino to play, but nowadays, there is also the option to play online poker.
Playing poker at an online casino is easy. You can even participate in tournaments there. You can also try video poker or another variant. You don’t always have to deal with real other players, but you can play against the computer. This way, you can learn all the poker rules at your leisure.
Where Can You Play Poker Online?
We have found the following safe online casinos where you can play poker.
Welcome Bonus of 1000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 330 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 500€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 500€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 4600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 300€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3900 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 300€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker Rules
Before you start playing poker online or offline, it is, of course, vital that you know how the game works. There are many different variants, but they all have some things in common. You are dealt some cards, and the goal is to make combinations with the highest possible value. You can win the money put in the pot during the game with the best combination.
People talking about ‘poker’ often mean the Texas Hold’em variant. Texas Hold’em is the most played version of the game. Therefore, learning the rules of this variant is a good starting point. Here are the basic rules of the game of poker.
Learn How To Play Poker – The Basic Poker Rules
Poker is played with a minimum of two players and a maximum of 10 players. You play the game with one complete deck of 52 cards. Before the game starts, the first bets are placed. This is the start of the pot that will be played.
At the beginning of the first round, each player receives two cards. Which cards these are, each player keeps to himself. The dealer also places five face-up cards on the table during the game. These are the so-called “community cards”. Players can combine these cards with their cards to create the best possible hand combinations.
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker Card Combinations
Playing poker is all about the combinations you can make with the cards dealt and the cards on the table. It is, therefore, useful to know what options are available. These are all combinations, from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: an Ace, King, Queen and a 10 of the same suit. This is the highest hand value in poker.
- Straight Flush: five consecutive cards of the same suit. Of all possible combinations, this is the second-best hand.
- Four of a Kind: Five cards of the same rank. Do two players have a Four of a Kind? Then the player with the highest card value wins. For example, four aces win over four tens.
- Full House: three cards of the same rank + two cards of the same class. Again, the highest values win if two players have this combination.
- Flush: five cards of the same suit. They do not have to be consecutive in value. The player with the highest total value wins if two players have a Flush.
- Straight: Five cards consecutive in value of different suits. Again, the highest value wins if more than one player has this combination.
- Three of a Kind: three cards of the same rank. As with all the poker above hands, the Three of a Kind with the highest values wins if multiple players have this combination.
- Two Pair: Two times two cards of the same rank. The player with the two pairs with the highest combined value wins.
- Pair: two cards of the same rank. Do multiple players only have a few? Who wins then depends on the added value of the remaining cards in the players’ hands.
- High Card: One card with the highest value. In poker, this is the Ace.
Welcome Bonus of 1000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 330 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Play Poker With Real Money
It is common to play poker for real money. In all significant tournaments, large amounts are played. It brings extra excitement and adrenaline into the game. Who will take the pot home? After all, the money pot gets more extensive with each round because of each player’s bets. If you want to play Poker with real money, our suggestion would be Azur Casino, as they have one of the best Poker lobbies!
Playing poker for money is, therefore, extra exciting. How much you want to bet varies per player. Some players will spend a lot more money on poker than others. The most important thing to remember is that there is a chance that you will lose, even though poker is a game of skill.
Learn How To Play Poker – Bankroll Management
When playing poker, many people immediately think of risky bets, bluffing and a hefty prize pool. However, bankroll management is crucial if you want to play poker for money. It has nothing to do with how you play the game but with how you manage your money during the game.
The amount you have set aside for playing poker is your poker bankroll. So this is not the money in your bank account or that you expect to get in the future. It’s all about the money you’re willing to spend playing poker.
It is crucial that when you want to build a bankroll, you decide how much money you are willing to risk. For some, it could be 10€/$ and for others, 1.000€/$ or more. No matter how much it is, you can see it as a starting point for building your poker money.
Poker Bankroll Management Tip
The most important thing to remember is: Never deposit more money into your account than you can afford to lose. However, if you play well and build more experience, you can grow your bankroll.
The Gambling Tax on Poker Winnings
What about gambling tax and prize money won? If you play with a poker provider with a valid license, they are responsible for paying the gambling tax. You do not have to pay tax on your poker winnings as a player.
Welcome Bonus of 500€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Advantages of Playing Online Poker
Online poker offers many advantages. Below we explain the most considerable benefits in detail.
Poker anytime, anywhere.
Thanks to the internet and online casinos, you can play online poker whenever and wherever you want. Players are no longer dependent on the opening hours of land-based casinos. You can always log in to one of your favourite gambling sites and sit at a virtual poker table.
Free play possible
If you play poker for money, you can win real money. However, make sure you know the game’s rules well before doing this. You can also lose money. It is, therefore, an excellent option to play poker for free first. This lets you know the game well before you start betting real money. This is often not possible in a physical casino or tournament, but this is almost always possible online.
Try out new game variants.
Online play also offers the opportunity to try out new game variants. Want to try something different than the usual Texas Hold’em? At online casinos and poker sites, there are many different game variants that you can try.
Well-known variants such as Three-Card Poker, Omaha and Five-Card Draw poker are offered in almost every casino. At some providers, you will even come across variants such as Razz Poker, Follow the Queen and HORSE. Online there is always a new game variant to try out.
Welcome Bonus of 500€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 4600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker Bonus
In addition, when you play online poker, you can claim bonuses. Most online casinos offer various bonuses that you can make good use of as a player. This way, you can increase your bankroll when you make your first deposit. This usually doubles the amount of your first deposit.
Think, for example, of a welcome bonus when you create an account, or a reload bonus when you make a new deposit. With such poker bonuses, you receive extra play money and can keep playing for longer.
An online casino bonus can be a great way to boost your bankroll, but there are almost always wagering requirements and other conditions attached to it. There are many different poker bonuses, and the offer differs per provider. It is, therefore, important that you carefully read the wagering requirements so that you know which conditions you must meet to have your winnings paid out.
Learn How To Play Poker – Online Poker on Your Mobile
Thanks to advanced technologies, mobile poker has become very accessible. Virtually all online casinos use software that works well on desktop and mobile devices. So you don’t need a computer to play online, but you can simply play from your mobile phone or tablet. Mobile poker can be played from both Apple and Android devices. All you need is a stable internet connection. This means that you can also easily play on the go.
Learn How To Play Poker – How do you play online poker?
Step 1: Choose a reliable poker site or casino
The first choice you have to make is which site you will play on. Always check that the poker site or online casino has a valid license. It is also essential that they have an excellent range of games. You can also always read our reviews to find the best provider for you.
Every player is different, but some poker sites are better suited to beginners than others. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you choose a poker site with lots of easy cash games, freerolls and recreational players at the tables.
Step 2: Create an account and make a deposit
Before you can start playing poker for money, you need to create an account. This is a simple process that will only take a few minutes. Then you go to the online checkout of your chosen site to make a deposit. Click on ‘deposit‘ and choose a payment method you are familiar with. Good to know: If you want to play free online poker, it is often possible to play without an account in demo mode.
Step 3: Choose which poker game you want to play.
Now it’s time to play. Choose your favourite poker variant or try out a new game. The best poker sites have a wide variety of poker games, so there is often plenty to choose from. Are you not that familiar with the different poker variants out there? Below we discuss the most popular variants that you can encounter online.
Learn How To Play Poker – Online Poker Variants
There are numerous variants available online. Usually, the basic rules are the same. Once you master those, you can also quickly understand the other online poker variants. Below we discuss the most popular varieties.
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is undoubtedly the most popular poker variant in the world. You can play it in almost all online casinos. The rules are simple. Each player is dealt two face-down cards. Then five cards are dealt face-up in three phases. Later, an additional single card and a final card are added to the deck to increase the chance of better hands. Each player looks for the best five-card poker hand.
Omaha
The origin of this game is unknown, but it has roughly the same rules as Texas Hold’em. Four cards are dealt to the players. Players must make the best hand using two cards plus three of the five community cards. The difference between Omaha and Texas Hold’em is that you are dealt two pocket cards in Texas Hold’em and four in Omaha. The poker combinations in Omaha and Texas Hold’em are the same.
Seven Card Stud
Each player is dealt two face-down and one face-up card in this variant. The player with the lowest exposed card pays the opening bet. Then the standard bets follow. During the following rounds, a new card is dealt to each player. In total, each player is dealt seven cards. During the showdown, all remaining players show their face-down cards. They then choose five of their seven cards to play as their hand.
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is unique because you play directly against the dealer instead of against the other players. Both the player and dealer are dealt five cards each. If the player’s hand manages to beat the dealer’s hand, the player wins 1:1. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, your bet will be refunded. Often there is a progressive jackpot in the game, leading to extra excitement.
Pai Gow Poker
The object of this game is to beat the banker. It is represented by the casino or by one player at the table. There is also a joker in the game for added entertainment. You are dealt seven cards which you then have to split into a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The joker can be used to complete a straight or flush. You can also use the joker as an ace.
To win Pai Gow Poker, both of the player’s hands must beat the banker. If one hand wins, but the other loses, it’s a draw, and the stake is refunded.
Welcome Bonus of 300€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3900 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Video Poker
Video poker is a kind of mix between poker and a slot machine. It is similar to the traditional poker game, but some crucial differences exist. The goal of video poker is to make the highest possible combination. However, you always play video poker on the computer. Your payout is also determined by your poker hand.
Because you are not playing against other players, the gameplay differs from the abovementioned variants. It is more straightforward and an ideal poker variant for a beginner. You are not dependent on other players and their hands, but your only goal is to make the best possible poker combination yourself.
How do you play video poker?
Step 1: First, you place your bet, and then the game starts. Then you are dealt your first cards and are given a choice of which cards you want to keep.
Step 2: You can trade cards at each draw to improve your hand. You can exchange as many or as few cards as you want. This is the most significant difference from other poker games.
Step 3: The cards you don’t want are immediately replaced by new cards. The player receives a payout if he has made a winning hand.
Step 4: After you have received your payout, you can choose to place your next bet and start the next game. Or you can select a different video poker variant for a change.
Welcome Bonus of 300€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Video Poker Variants
In most online casinos, you will find a lot of variants of video poker. These games differ in terms of minimum and maximum bets and the game type. The best-known video poker game variants are Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Joker’s Wild. In addition, you can also play multi-hand poker games. You can do this up to 100 hands at a time. If you are going to play with several hands, you will, of course, need a much larger budget.
In addition, there are also different payouts per game. Therefore, always compare the payouts if you are not sure which video poker game you want to play. For example, see how much a particular variant pays for each hand, such as a Royal Flush, a Straight Flush and a Four of a Kind.
Then there are video poker games with progressive jackpots. If you form a Royal Flush, you will win the jackpot. A percentage of every bet placed on the slot machine is added to the jackpot. That way, the amount you can win continues to grow, and you can win massive amounts.
Learn How To Play Poker – Live Online Poker
Playing poker at an online casino doesn’t mean you only have to play against the computer. Live casino games offer the perfect middle ground between playing online and in a land-based casino.
In a live casino, you play online but with a real croupier. You see these via a live stream so that you can play in real-time. The croupier deals with the cards, and you play directly against the casino. Several well-known software providers offer live poker games so that you can choose from all kinds of variations.
Welcome Bonus of 1000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 330 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker Strategy
Playing poker is about more than just a bit of luck. It is not a simple game of chance but more of a skill game. It is, therefore, essential to make informed decisions during the game. Make sure you have a good reason to check, raise or fold. There are several factors to watch out for, and you can adjust your strategy accordingly. First, learning the pros and cons of the different positions at the poker table is essential. You can play more expectantly or proactively, depending on your position at the table.
Each position has its pros and cons. For example, if it’s your turn later in the game, you’ll have more insight into how the other players behave. Watching the other players ‘ playing behaviour is another good strategy. For example, you can keep an eye on their betting patterns and observe how quickly they check or raise. Many experienced players may be able to put on a strong “poker face”, but it is still possible to recognize their “tells”.
The Bluff
If you’re bluffing, you’re pretending to have a better hand than you have. This is possible because the players do not know which cards the other players have. It is a commonly used strategy.
In practice, you bet aggressively to give your fellow players the impression that you have good cards. The aim of bluffing is to make the other players choose to fold. The fewer players left, the more chance you have of winning the pot.
You can still win with a less strong hand if you bluff convincingly. In poker in an online casino, bluffing is a lot more difficult because you can’t see the other players.
Learn How To Play Poker – The Poker Software
If you play poker online, you can play strategically in other ways. Since there are a maximum of 52 cards in the deck, it is possible to calculate your odds on certain cards. You can then adjust your bet accordingly.
You can do these probability calculations yourself. Today, however, that is no longer necessary. There are several apps and software that can do this for you. The use of poker software helps both new and experienced poker players to the game.
Poker Odds Calculator
For example, there are poker odds calculators. They do precisely what the name suggests: calculating your odds on certain cards. This way, you know very quickly whether you should play a hand or not. Commonly used poker calculators include Pokercruncher and Flopzilla.
Heads Up Display
Other commonly used poker software systems are Heads Up Displays (HUDs). HUDs are tracking software. They thus provide insight into the other players’ statistics and playing behaviour.
When you install this feature, you will see this information next to the names of the other players. You can adjust your strategy based on this information. Hold’em Manager and Pokertracker are some of the most commonly used HUDs.
Welcome Bonus of 500€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 4600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker tournaments
Since poker is so popular, it is not surprising that many tournaments are held worldwide. The most famous tournament is the World Series of Poker (WSOP). This tournament pits the world’s best poker players against each other. Qualifying tournaments are held in which players can qualify.
Poker tournament prize money
The most prestigious poker series also involves a lot of prize money. Multiple millions can be won in the WSOP Main Event. In 2021 the winner, Koray Aldemir, took home no less than 8 million. The “Buy-Ins” (the amount a player pays to participate) in these tournaments are relatively high. This often concerns amounts from 1500€/$.
Online Poker Tournaments
You don’t necessarily have to travel to a physical location or pay a high buy-in as an online poker fan. Numerous tournaments are also organized online. You can join wherever you are. You can find many low buy-in tournaments online.
Another advantage is that there are more choices in terms of the poker games that are played. The significant tournaments often only play Texas Hold’em, but online you will also find other variants that are played in tournament form.
Welcome Bonus of 500€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
Learn How To Play Poker – Poker Tips
If you are planning to take your first steps in the online poker world, there are many things to consider. At first glance, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. To help you on your way, below you will find several poker tips that will help you take your first steps as an online poker player in a smooth manner.
Make sure you know the rules well.
You don’t need to become an expert to succeed at online poker, but it is helpful to grasp the rules first. Most poker sites have comprehensive guides to all poker rules. Please read these carefully before placing a bet.
Choose the correct poker variant.
You must choose the correct variant when you start playing poker. Some poker variants are more suitable for beginners than others. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are good options for beginner poker players. These poker variants are relatively simple to learn to play.
Try a free poker game first.
Don’t have much experience playing poker yet? Practice before you bet with real money. Most online casinos allow you to practice different games in a free demo version.
You don’t have to bet with your own money yet. This is an excellent way to learn how the game works without running the risk of losing money.
Decide how much you will bet.
Managing your bankroll is crucial in poker when you want to play with money. Bankroll management is not only a matter of starting with the right amount of money but also of making sure you never exceed your limits while playing. To determine how much you want to bet and stick to it. Especially with cash games, it is good to stick to a specific bet amount. This makes it easier for you to manage your money and harder for your opponents to estimate you.
Where Can You Play Poker Online?
Welcome Bonus of 1000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 3600 Casino Games
🃏 Over 330 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 2000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 2700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 200 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 2000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 5700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 230 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 10.000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 5700 Casino Games
🃏 Over 230 Video Poker Games
Welcome Bonus of 1000€
📱 Mobile Friendly
🎰 Over 4200 Casino Games
🃏 Over 300 Video Poker Games
