Poker is a card game that dates back centuries. Whether in the back room of a bar, at a flashy casino in Las Vegas, or online, poker has always been and always will be, a major hit. When it comes to online poker in the US, casinos provide RNG table games, video poker, and live casino tables for you to choose from.
Whether you’re new to online poker or if you’re just greasing the wheels after some time off, we’ve broken down the basics of online poker for you in this article. We’ve also included a list of BettingLadies.com’s most trusted partners to get you started.
What is Online Poker?
Poker is a game of both skill and chance, and despite the fact that there are several variations out there, the basic rules remain the same. You’ve got a hand of cards (typically 2 – 5) and the Community Cards, which are the face-up cards the dealer places on the table.
The aim of the game is to create the best hand possible with what you’ve got plus the Community Cards. If you have a good hand, you can call or even raise. Any chips you place on the table are representative of real money, so, just as in a land-based casino, you can win real money if you are successful in collecting the pot. If you think there’s no hope, you can fold without taking any financial risk.
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Founder, BettingLadies.com
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How to Play Online Poker
So, you’ve signed up to a casino and are ready to start playing online poker. Here’s how to do it:
- Make your first deposit and claim your welcome bonus, if any.
- Choose a poker table and take your seat (you may need to pay a Buy-In fee).
- You can place your first bet as soon as the Community Cards are dealt.
- The dealer deals the next card. You can either fold or raise at this point.
- The final card is dealt, followed by the final betting round.
- Everyone reveals their cards and the player with the best hand takes the pot.
Rules of Poker Online
The aim of online poker is to win the pot. You can do that by creating the best hand or by bluffing so your opponents fold. Once you’ve got your cards, you can make a bet or decide to pass. The dealer then reveals the second card, which is where you can call or raise, and a third during the final round.
We get that all this jargon can be confusing for new players, so here’s a deeper dive into the ins and outs of online poker.
Poker Terms
Part of learning how to play online poker is learning the jargon. Knowing what’s what helps you understand what other players are doing, and, more importantly, what actions you are able to take to improve your hand or win the round. This is why we’ve included a list of common online poker terms. Keep in mind that this is just to help you get started – there’s much more for you to learn out there.
| Term | Definition |
| Action | One’s turn to act during a hand. |
| All-In | A bet where players put all their chips into the pot. |
| Blind | The player sitting directly to the dealer’s left or right. |
| Bluff | To pretend players have a better hand than they actually do. |
| Bubble | A tournament term to describe the person who just missed a prize. For example, if there were 50 prizes and Charlene finished 51st, Charlene is the bubble. |
| Buy-In | The amount players need to pay to participate in the online poker tournament. |
| Call | To put in the minimum amount of chips necessary to stay in the game. |
| Check | To pass the turn for that round. |
| Draw | Calling or raising during a round in the hopes of collecting the cards required to complete the current hand. |
| Fold | To give up and end the round while losing any bets previously placed. |
| Limit | A game structure where there is a maximum bet and raise. |
| No-Limit | A game structure with no maximum bet and raise. |
| Pot | The center of the poker table that contains all the bet chips. |
| Raise | To bet more than the minimum amount required to play, thus forcing other players to call in order to continue. |
| Sit Out | When players choose to leave the table for a few rounds. |
| Split Pot | When the final pot prize is split between two players due to identical hands. |
Poker Hands
Now that you’re familiar with the jargon, it’s time to have a look at the types of hands you can win with. We’ve listed them in the descending order, meaning the Royal Flush is the highest possible hand you can have.
| Hand | Definition |
| Royal Flush | 10-J-Q-K-A of the same suit |
| Straight Flush | Five cards of the same suit in consecutive order (for example: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of diamonds) |
| Four-of-a-kind | Four of the same card value (for example: eight of diamonds, eight of hearts, eight of spades, eight of clubs) |
| Full House | One pair together with three-of-a-kind (for example: King of hearts, King of clubs, three of spades, three of diamonds, three of hearts) |
| Flush | Five non-consecutive cards of the same suit (for example: three of hearts, eight of hearts, Queen of hearts, two of hearts, Jack of hearts) |
| Straight | Five consecutive cards of different suits (for example: seven of hearts, eight of diamonds, nine of clubs, ten of hearts, Jack of spades) |
| Two Pair | Two pairs of the same card value (for example: Jack of hearts, Jack of clubs, 8 of hearts, 8 of spades) |
| One Pair | One pair of the same card value (for example: Queen of spades and Queen of diamonds) |
| High Card | Five unrelated cards of different suits (for example: K of spades, 7 of hearts, 6 of clubs, 8 of spades, Q of diamonds) |
Different Types of Online Poker
Poker has developed plenty over the years, which means that you’ve got a world of variations to choose from. Depending on the online casino you sign up to, you’ll find different games in the table game, video poker, and live casino sections.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most popular online poker variants:
Texas Hold’Em
As the most popular variation of poker, you’ll find Texas Hold’Em at all the best online casinos in the US in both regular table game format as well as in live casinos. You’ll play with five cards and the rules are quite simple, which makes drastic changes in the stakes quite common. Some of the game’s features include turn, flop, preflop, blinds, river, and showdown.
Omaha Hi-Lo
Two or more players participate in the Omaha Hi-Lo poker variants. The objective remains the creation of the best hand in order to take the pot. A counts as both the highest and lowest value in this game, which can change your hand in an instant. Omaha poker comes in other variations like Omaha 8-or-Better and Omaha High. Each version has its unique rules and features.
7-Card Stud
You’ll typically find between 2 and 8 players on this version of online poker. The game is divided into four sections: the setup, the bring, betting rounds, and the showdown. You won’t find any Community Cards when playing 7-Card Stud. Another difference from classic poker is that 7-Card Stud uses ante and bring-in bets instead of blinds.
5-Card Draw
As the simplest form of poker, 5-Card Draw is what we recommend beginner players start off with. The aim, as in any poker game, is to create the best hand possible. You’ll be given five cards that you can discard and exchange by drawing from the top of the deck. Since there is only one round, you can only do this once. Players then reveal their cards and the best hand takes the pot.
Online Poker Tournaments
Many players in the US enjoy participating in online tournaments, which is why you’ll find them at many online casinos. You’ll find plenty of different types, some of which we’ve listed below for you:
| Feature | Definition |
| PKO (Progressive Knockout) | A bounty tournament that adopts a knockout structure. So if Denise is knocked out when playing against Laura, Laura collects half the bounty and receives the other half as an add-on to her own bounty. |
| Sit ‘n Gos | These tournaments can be in single-table form (STT) or multi-table form (MTT). The starting point is when all seats have been filled. Sit ‘n Go prize pools are typically divided between 10% and 20% of competitors. |
| Bounty | A tournament where a percentage of your original buy-in goes towards the final prize pool. |
| Rebuys | Tournaments that allow you to purchase new chips when yours finish. You can also top up your chips at set intervals. |
| Freezeouts | Tournaments that end as soon as players run out of chips. |
Top Tips for Online Poker
Although there is no magic formula that will help you win at online poker, there are a few things you can do to improve your odds.
Eliminate Distractions
Remove your social media notifications, close your chat apps, and switch the TV off. You want to be totally focused on what’s going on in the online poker game as it’s not just about what you do, it’s also about what other players do, and you want to be totally focused.
Start With Low Stakes
This tip is especially good for beginners as low stakes allow you to learn by doing. You’ll familiarize yourself with the rules and you’ll pick up tricks along the way. Online poker works differently to in-person poker, so you’ll want to get used to the software before going all-in.
Know When To Fold
Recognising when it’s the end of the line is a crucial part of online gambling in general. Do not keep raising if you have an impossible hand. Save your chips for when you have a better hand and thus a better shot at winning the central pot.
FAQs
Can I play in online poker tournaments?
Yes, of course you can. Many online casinos in the United States offer their players poker tournaments. These can come in many shapes and forms, so be sure to check the rules and whether there is a buy-in before committing.
Can I win real money when playing online poker?
Most definitely. Any real money bet has the potential to give you a real money win. Although there is no foolproof way of winning real money, having a strong strategy in place and knowing when it’s a good idea to call, raise, and fold are good ways of improving the odds.
Which is the best online poker variant?
The best online poker variant depends on your personal preferences. If you’re a novice, we recommend you start out with 5-Card Draw as it’s the easiest version of poker. You’ll be dealt five cards which you can exchange once before placing your final bets.
Can I play online poker with casino bonuses?
Most certainly. Many online casinos in the United States offer players bonuses that are specifically for online poker. You can use these bonuses to familiarize yourself with different variations before choosing which one to stake real cash on.
How is online poker better than land-based poker?
The basic rules of poker are the same, regardless of whether you’re playing online or at a land-based casino. The differences are seen in the speed, timing, and the software providers use to run the games.
