Online Poker

Online Poker

Online poker has been popular in Europe for many years. It is of course very nice to play a game of poker with friends or participate in a poker tournament in a casino. However, you also have plenty of choice when it comes to online poker. For example, play video poker at an online casino or play with real fellow players in an online poker room. You can read all about poker here, for example play a free game to practice. Or choose an online casino where you can play all kinds of poker games and win real cash prizes. For the novice player we will explain the game rules and the more advanced player can find reliable casinos here and tips to improve his game. Below we have put together a table of contents that can help you to end up in the right place on this page.

Poker Game Rules

There are many different forms of poker, in this article we will discuss the rules of the most common Poker variant Texas Hold’em. Each round of play begins with the dealer dealing the cards. Immediately after the dealer you come across the position small blind, next to it is the big blind. We’ll go into this a little more deeply in a moment. The dealer shares each player first one card and then the second card. The dealer places the pile of cards face down on the table. At the start of each round of play, the small blind and big blind are required to make a bet. The values ​​of these are agreed in advance. In poker tournaments, these values ​​can be increased as the tournament progresses. Usually the small blind is half the value of the big blind.

Once these mandatory bets have been placed, the fellow players can indicate one by one whether they want to call in the first Poker game round. The order followed is clockwise. The value they must bet is equal to that of the big blind. Now the player with the small blind is asked what they want to do. This player can choose to place a bet equal to that of the big blind to enter a game round. The small blind can also raise the bet. When the bet is increased, the fellow players again have the choice to call in the poker round or to fold. The dealer now takes one card from the deck and places it next to the deck of cards. This card also remains turned over, players are not allowed to see this card. Knowing which card is no longer in play gives you an unfair advantage in poker. This turned over card is also known as the fire card.

Now the dealer places 3 cards next to the pile of cards, this is done with the values ​​up. The small blind is the first to move. When it’s your turn in poker you have the choice to raise, check (meaning do nothing) or fold. After the player in the small blind position has made a choice, it is the next player’s move. If the bet is raised but you don’t want to go along with this raise, you only have the option to fold. When you are also convinced of your cards or maybe you want to bluff. Then you also have the option to increase a fellow player’s raise even further. Other players now only have the choice to call or pass. In this way you can also put your fellow players firmly in a game of poker. That’s what makes poker so much fun! It’s not just about the value of your cards, but also how you play your cards. After the 1st round is over, a 4th card is placed on the table, this happens after first one card has been burned (upside down next to the pile). This 4th card is also known as the river. This game round takes place in the same way as the previous round. The 5th and last card is called the flop. This last round is also played in the same way as the 1st round.

Poker card values

Check out the Poker card values image below:

Play poker for free

Try a game of online poker for free below. In this poker game you do not play against other players but against the online casino. Because you can play this game unlimited and for free, it is a good way to familiarize yourself with the card values ​​and combinations. View the online casinos below if you want to play a game of online poker for real money. There are various welcome bonuses to collect as a new player.

Game Tips

Some of these tips only apply if you play online poker in a so-called poker room or play poker in real life. These are these tips that have to do with reading the opponent and strategies. The other tips can be used if you play poker in an online casino.

Start with low stakes

To master the game of poker first, it is wise to start with low stakes. If you don’t make the right decisions, you’ll find out on your own, but it won’t cost you that much. Only increase your bet if you really understand the basic rules of the game.

Practice for free first

Try a few games of online poker for free first. Maybe it’s just a little different than you’re used to when you play poker with your friends or in the casino. On this website we offer various poker games for free, so you can practice before you start playing with real money.

Read about strategies

Especially if you play poker in a tournament or in a poker room, it is wise to be well aware of the various strategies that are available. A good poker strategy can really help you make better choices in the game.

Watch poker matches on TV or over the internet

You only really learn how to play poker well when you understand the choices the poker professionals make. Poker is an official mind sport, there are also regular big poker tournaments on TV with the best players. For each game round you can see exactly which cards the players have and what choices they make. Watching poker matches via TV and the internet is therefore ideal for improving your game.

Don’t lose yourself in the game

Also in poker there is a danger that a player is no longer in control and makes radical or hasty decisions. This is also known as tilting in poker. Someone then no longer has the self-control to work properly. The player then makes hasty and ill-considered decisions. For example, by thinking, it doesn’t matter anymore I’ve already lost anyway. The moment you think this, you should really scratch your head. Self-control is very important in poker, make only well thought out decisions. If you find yourself losing control, stop playing.

Calling to see the next card

Another common mistake is that players call an opponent’s bet when they have nothing themselves, and only want to see the next card. This is not wise, base your choice to call on the cards in your hands and the cards on the table. In some cases you can look for a card once, but don’t make a habit of going with every raise.

Calculate the statistics

Poker is math, every poker hand can be calculated back to percentage percentages that indicate the chance of winning against the opponent. If you want to know how these percentages are built up, watch a Poker broadcast on TV or via the internet. Here you can learn a lot about the odds of poker. There are also tools available over the internet that allow you to calculate your odds based on the cards on the table and the cards in your hand.

Be patient

Sometimes it’s good to sit back when the cards you get aren’t the ones you’d like to see. It can sometimes be wise to pass a few rounds if nothing decent comes along, who knows, luck will turn again.

When in doubt fold

Just like taking a test at school, often the first thought that comes to mind is the right one. If you’re hesitating to go along and the first thought you had was quitting, pass this poker hand. Doubting for too long will not help you further in the game. If it is now the case that you should have gone along. Then let go of this thought as soon as possible, because it will not help you further in the game.

How can you bluff?

Bluffing is really nothing more than pretending you have a better hand than your opponent. Bluffing is a fun part of the game of poker, it means you don’t always have to have the best hand to win. You can still win by playing smart and bluffing at the right time! Make sure you don’t do it too conspicuously, because it can cost you dearly. Most players who bluff during a game of poker do so from time to time. If you then won because your opponent does not call and folds, it is wise not to let your cards go. Or maybe it’s part of your strategy to trick your opponent into thinking you’re bluffing next time. While you may have good cards.

Poker bluffing

Game of chance or skill?

During the poker craze in Europe a lot of discussion has arisen whether poker is a game of skill or a game of chance. After all, you can certainly try to influence the outcome of the game by your own behavior in the game. In addition, you can of course calculate your odds based on the playing cards you have in your hand and what is on the table. The Supreme Court has finally decided that poker is a game of chance. This also applies to most other European countries, they also see poker as a game of chance. The discussion is mainly supported by the strict rules that apply when it comes to offering “online” games of chance. If by law poker had been a game of skill, it would make a big difference in how far the game is covered by the law and applicable rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I play online poker? You can play online poker in an online casino or poker room. The difference is that you play against the dealer at an online casino and against fellow players at a poker room.
  • Can you get better at playing poker? Yes, with a lot of practice you can eventually make better decisions in the game. In the end, you can better see what a good time is to stop or continue another round of the game. You will also become better at reading your opponent. However, Poker remains a game of chance, so you cannot influence which cards will be dealt.
  • Is it possible to play poker for free? Yes, on this website you can play a number of poker variants for free. This way you can practice and discover the possibilities before you decide to play for real money.
  • What poker variations can you play in an online casino? In an online casino you can play live poker, Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker or video poker.

By Filip Mishevski

As a person that has been involved in the gambling industry for over 5 years, Filip knows all the tricks and trades of online casinos and casino games. He’s here to provide you with the best content and help you have a fun gaming experience. His specialities include online slots, gambling regulations, casino game strategies, bonuses and promotions and much more.