How to Play Poker at an Online Casino
As online poker continues to become popular, more and more players are indulging in poker for fun and for the chance to win real money. If you are new to poker and wondering where to start, you are in the right place. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the basics of how to play poker so that when next time you play online, you will have the skills you need to win the game.
Different Variations of Poker
Normally, when people talk about poker, they usually mean Texas Hold ‘Em, a game that has become extremely popular over the past decade. However, there are many variations of poker, the main types being community card games, stud, Omaha, and draw. The basic rules are the same for each one; however, there are certain rules that a player needs to learn about all the games individually.
Basics of Poker for Beginners: Learn the Art of Taming the Cards
Before starting to play, each participant is required to contribute to the ‘pot’ which contains chips representing real money. Each player is dealt a hand, which they keep concealed from the other players. After the cards are dealt, players can place bets depending on the type of cards they have in their hand. When all the betting rounds are finished, the player with the maximum number of cards after everyone has folded, or the player with the best cards at the end of the game wins.
If you are new to poker, you should know how to bet properly and learn how to create a strategy for yourself in order to win. For this purpose, you should be aware of the significance each card holds in a poker game. The basics things that each novice player should know about poker cards are:
- Suits: There are four suits-Spades, Hearts, Diamond and Clubs. All these suits carry equal value.
- Cards: There are cards of thirteen ranks using each of the four suits. Some of these ranks include Ace, Queen, King, Jack, and Deuce, whereby Deuce is the smallest and Ace is the highest.
Types of Hands
Regardless of what poker you are playing, the type of hand is the same in all games. Below are a few examples:
- Royal Flush: It contains five consecutive cards of an identical suite in numerical order, and comprises Ace, Queen, King, Jack and ten. Because there are four suits of diamonds, hearts, clubs, and spades, there are only four probable royal flushes that can be dealt.
- Straight Flush: It contains five consecutive cards of an identical suit, but does not comprise of the royal cards. For example, 5s-6s-7s-8s-9s would be a straight flush.
- Full House or Full Boat: It contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example3c-3s-3d-6c-6h would be a full house.
- Four of a Kind: Also known as a squad, a poker hand with four cards of the same rank and one card of another rank (the kicker), such as 6c-6h- 6d-6h-Jh.
Betting Terminologies
Before working out your poker strategies, it is imperative that you know poker betting terminology such as:
- Ante: The minimum amount you must stake to get started.
- Blinds: Funds generally in the form of chips that are placed on the table before the cards are dealt. There are typically small and big blinds.
- Raise: When the player wants to increase the table bet.
- Check: If no new bet has been made and the player doesn’t want to raise, they may “check”.
- Call: When a new bet has been placed, a ‘call’ indicates that the player wants to match the raised amount.
- Fold: It occurs when the player gives up on the hand when it is their turn.
- Bluffing: Is where the player acts and bets in a way which is not related to the actual value or strength of the player's hand.
Here are some tips to get you started...
Learning How to Play Poker Online
Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular online poker games, played by the majority of players. Below sets out how to play Texas Hold’em:
The players to the left of the dealer enter a big and small blind. These are necessary bets made to initiate the game. The big blind is the minimum wager amount whereas the small blind is just half that amount. These bets are termed as blinds since the cards are hidden from each player. The aim of these blind bets is to make sure that there is some money in the pot to begin the game.
Two hole cards are dealt to each player. The players are required to keep their hole cards to themselves so that they can refer them later during the round. The player who is left to the small blind starts the first betting round.
Betting occurs in four rounds, these are:
- First, when the hole cards are dealt.
- Second, when the first three community cards are dealt, known as the Flop.
- Third, when the fourth community card is dealt with face up, known as the Turn.
- Fourth, when the fifth community card is dealt, known as the river.
During the betting rounds, the player can check, call, raise or fold. A showdown occurs when the remaining players show their cards. Players should make their best hands by using five cards i.e. their hole cards and the community cards.
Summary
Millions of poker enthusiasts around the world play to win huge stake pots, worth of thousands of dollars at online casinos. Whether you are experienced or a novice player, playing poker games online will keep you both interested and thrilled, especially if you join a poker tournament!
Why not implement this how-to-play guide and play online poker for real money now!
