Poker is one of the most loved categories in casinos. While luck plays a role in the result, players must have the necessary skills to navigate the game. Players must go through a real learning curve before claiming themselves a “master” in poker, making it an enticing casino game.
If you are a rookie who wants to get good at poker, you can play poker online for a starter. Besides the obvious advantage of playing the game within the comfort of your room, the online poker market has developed rapidly over the past few years. Players get many exciting options to advance their poker skills.
Top Online Poker Games to Try Out
Of hundreds of online poker games available in the market today, the following are great for players exploring this game.
Video Poker Live
Developed by Evolution, this game is a great starting point for novices. It has the key characteristics of traditional poker. Video Poker Live’s main objective is to combine the best possible five-card hand.
Players can get up to 99 extra hands per round to get the rarer card combo, optimizing their winning chance. It means players can play a maximum of 100 hands in a single round.
Five paytables are available within the game — Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Double Double Bonus, Bonus Poker, and Tens or Better. The classic Jacks or Better is the default setting, but players can select their desired paytable at the start of the game.
Video Poker’s unique feature is the option to hold or swap your cards, which may be beneficial in getting the best card combo. Players can choose which five cards to hold and swap once the main hand has been dealt. They get the opportunity to exchange zero to five cards.
Casino Hold’Em Poker
BGaming’s Casino Hold’Em Poker is another friendly option for beginners. It has similar rules as the famous Texas Hold’em Poker. However, in this game, you are only playing against the house. It makes the game simpler to discern for novice players.
Players also win a fixed amount based on their card combinations. Because you are playing with RNG, there is no wait time when you want to play this game. You can immediately start.
However, the dealer must qualify for the game by having at least a Pair of Fours. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify for the round, you can get your wager back, but it does not substitute for a win — this situation is called a “push.”
Players can win more than the standard 1:1 amount if they get a stronger hand. For instance, getting a Royal Flush can earn you 100:1. This rare hand consists of A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
Caribbean Stud Poker
This game is a spin-off of the classic poker with added live dealer experience. Like Casino Hold’Em, this game is played against the house instead of other players. It means no bluffing is necessary for the game, making the online poker game suitable for people who are still starting.
The dealer qualifies for the round by having at least an ace or a king. Once you have decided to call, the dealer will reveal its entire hand. The player will win if they have a better hand than the dealer.
Players begin the game by placing an ante bet, a mandatory bet in any poker game. The player and the dealer will get five cards on the poker table. One of the cards on the dealer’s hand faces up, while the others face down.
The dealer will reveal all of its cards once the player decides. Payout amounts depend on the card, with Royal Flush offering the largest amount.
Side Bet City
This Evolution-produced poker game takes players back to the 1980s with its retro design. The game is ideal for players who only have a basic understanding of poker and are still exploring strategies.
Players love Side Bet City for its fast gameplay and opportunities to maximize wins via side bets. In the beginning, players get multiple betting options. They will choose to win with a three-card, five-card, or seven-card hand.
You also get the option to wager on “all lose,” which is also often called the “insurance bet.” An “all lose” bet offers a 0.7:1 payout.
The dealer will deal seven cards once the bet has been placed. It will reveal the three-card combination at first, then add another two cards to make a five-card hand. Lastly, the dealer will reveal the last two cards to make a seven-card hand.
Extreme Texas Hold’Em
This online poker game offers an immersive playing experience like other live games. The main objective of this game is to beat the dealer’s hand with the best card combination possible. However, you do not need to pay attention to other players in the lobby like the traditional Texas Hold’Em.
In this game, understanding the ranking of poker hands is valuable. It helps you decide whether you should raise or when is the right moment to raise. Each round is played with a deck of 52 cards on the table.
The game begins with players placing ante and blind bets. Initially, you also decide to place a side bet, the Trips Bonus Bet. This optional bet is based on the composition of your best hand, whether it will comprise three of the five community cards in addition to your two cards.
Players get two cards at the beginning and three betting windows — the turn, the flop, and the reveal. Throughout the game, players can raise the ante. The dealer qualifies for the game with at least a pair.
Triple Card Poker
This online poker game is suitable for beginners and pro players. Evolution’s live poker game gives players an authentic experience with professional dealers.
A strategy is required to optimize the gaming experience, but it is less demanding than most poker games because players only need to beat the dealer. For each round, the dealer can accommodate unlimited players in the lobby. However, it must have at least the queen high to play.
The main goal is to have a better three-card combination than the dealer. Players can also place several side bets, including pair plus and six-card bonuses, to maximize winning opportunities.
To win the pair plus bonus, players must land at least a pair on their hand. Players can win this bonus regardless of the dealer’s hand. Meanwhile, the six-card bonus is achieved when players make a winning five-card combination of their cards and the dealer’s. The combinations are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Three of a Kind, Flush, and Straight.
Tips to Improve Online Poker Strategy
As discussed, poker players cannot rely solely on luck. A good strategy is necessary to optimize the winning chance. As a beginner, you can follow these tips to improve your strategy.
Apply basic mathematics
Poker relies on the player’s understanding of basic concepts and probability. Learn to calculate the odds of your hand, the number of outs you have, and how to compare the data with the wager you are facing. It lets the player make an informed judgment rather than blindly guessing the opponent’s card.
Identify betting patterns
This tip applies if you are up against other players in an online poker game. Try to read your opponent’s poker strategy to guess their cards. It can be done by observing their betting patterns as the rounds go by. Beginners usually have difficulty making this observation, but things will get easier after playing poker for a while.
Play in ranges
A range refers to the entire scale of the player’s poker hands in each round. An advanced poker player usually anticipates that their opponent will display the entire range of poker hands. Instead of focusing on winning a single hand, a pro will determine which hand is the best. On the other hand, beginners typically put out a specific hand without much thought. Their main concern is to snatch a win.
Select the starting hand deliberately
A pro poker player usually passes on a mediocre hand and pounces on the so-called winning hand. Select a few premium cards to raise in the late position and fold most of your preflop holdings. Players can raise their A-A and K-K in an early position. Meanwhile, play small pairs, such as 2-2 and 3-3, only to gain value on the flop.
Fold when unsure
Keep in mind that poker is a mental game. Most of the time, players are so focused on securing a win that they do not read the table situation. It can result in further losses for the player. When you are unsure about the need to play the hand or fold, opt for the latter. There are other chances to win in the following rounds.
All novices are recommended to begin with a small stake as they are exploring the most suitable strategy. When it comes to playing online poker, always remember to choose a reputable casino that has been licensed by gaming authorities in your country.
These reputable casinos implement measures to make the gaming experience seamless and safe for players. It includes implementing responsible gaming policies. They also offer more payment options, from fiat money to cryptocurrency.
