Poker is one of the most popular gambling games that depend on both luck and skill. Over the years, this game has managed to maintain its position thanks to a lot of factors, including the WSOP Championship, the lasting effects of Chris Moneymaker’s win, which changed the game forever, bringing millions of new players into the game, as well as the James Bond movie series. In addition, the non GamStop casinos made all the game variants widely available with a tip of a finger.
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Poker is so popular because it’s a social activity. Here, you play against other players, which is rarely the case with other casino games. Since poker is a competitive game, there’s actually no house edge whatsoever, and the casino acts as a host only. Hence, there is no built-in house edge. Everyone starts from the same point and has the same chances of winning in the long and short term. Therefore, poker is one of the very few gambling games that players can master. For example, WSOP has no equivalent in baccarat.
Poker is a game of skill and also luck. This means that the game is both in the player’s control but also not in his control, which makes the game enjoyable.
In terminology, “poker” refers to a large group of variations that are played with a pack of 50 cards. In all poker games, the goal of the participating players is to get the best hand at the table without knowing the opponent’s hand. Compulsorily, players must place bets in a common pot. The player remaining in the last round wins either because he has the strongest hand or because the other players withdraw. The winner gets the contents of the pot. Thus, he regains his bet and wins the bets of the losers.
Table of contents
How to Play Poker Online?
First of all, you have to master the general basics of poker, which are common to all the different poker variants. Although each type of poker has its own rules, nuances, and playing quirks, all variants don’t differ in the basics. In all forms of poker, the goal is to compose the strongest poker hand on the table. Whether you are a complete beginner or a really big poker fan, it is always important to pay attention to the rules. Don’t forget that forgetting one simple base will make you seem like a rookie, and thus, you will be easy prey for skilled players.
Let’s have a look at how to play poker online depending on the Texas Hold ’em rules which is the simplest form of poker ever:
- In the beginning, all players have to place initial bets on their hands before they get any card. Note that if you decide to withdraw later, you will lose this bet as well as all the subsequent bets.
- Players’ cards are dealt.
- Community poker cards are dealt, after which players bet again on their hands.
- The fourth card is dealt, followed by a new betting round.
- Now the players get the final card and then a final round of betting.
- As you can see, successive betting rounds will cause players with weak hands to withdraw, while players with strong hands will resume the final round, the showdown, in the hope of winning. Here, players expose and compare their hands to determine the winner(s).
How to Play Poker Step-by-step?
Now we will take you through a more detailed guide on how to play poker. Once again, we will apply this example to Texas Hold ’em poker. It’s worth noting that these steps can be applied to all poker variants:
Place Your Bet
Before the cards are dealt, players place their ante bets. It always starts with the player to the left of the dealer, starting by placing a small stake, while the player to the right of the dealer places the bigger bet.
At the end of the betting round, each player receives two hidden cards. After that, the player can decide whether to withdraw or continue playing by placing a new bet.
Community Poker Cards
Once the betting round is completed, the croupier deals three cards face up. Players can now get a better idea of their hand strength. After that, a new round of betting takes place. Obviously, a player who finds that the community poker cards give him an advantage will continue to bet on his hand, and players who feel that their hand does not match the community cards will drop out.
Turn
The fourth community card is the “turn”. This card is dealt to give players a chance to make stronger hands.
Hands Are Completed
The fifth community card is the river. Players who are still on the table can now see the final shape of their hands. Before the showdown, it’s time for one last round of betting.
Confrontation
In the last round, all remaining players expose their hands. Thus, the winning player(s) is determined. If no player gets a strong hand, the kicker, which is the highest card on the table, can be used to break ties.
Poker Hand Ranking | From the Highest to the Lowest
If you dream of participating in exciting duels at the poker tables in online casinos or real casinos, you must know the order of poker hands, what are strong hands, medium-strength hands, and weak hands. Furthermore, you should know how to break the tie in different situations. This way, if you have a good hand, for example, you can place more bets on it, but if you have a weak hand, it is better to fold and not place further bets because your cards are bad and probably weaker than other players.
Although there are dozens of poker variants in UK online casinos, all of these variants have the same hand ranking. This means that you will only learn to arrange poker hands once.
A poker hand is always made of 5 cards. The hand includes the combination of the player cards and community cards in any order. Each hand can be defeated by hands higher than it in the ranking, and it can defeat hands lower than it in the ranking. Let’s start explaining poker hands; we’ll start with the strongest hands in descending order all the way to the lowest:
Note There are no differences in hand ranking among the poker variants. Texas Hold ’em poker hand is the same as in Omaha or Stud variants, for example. |
Royal Flush
As the name makes clear, the royal Flush is the highest hand in poker ever. This means that no other hand can outrun it. This hand consists of Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. All of the identical suits. When a player has a Royal Flush, it is always a life event as the probability of getting a Royal Flush is only 0.00015%. If you come across this hand, try to place as higher bets as possible on it because it is unbeatable. However, if the miracle happens and another player gets a royal flush hand, the highest rank at the top of the sequence wins. However, statistically speaking, it is impossible for two players to get a royal flush in the same game since it is already the rarest combination in poker.
Straight Flush
Straight Flush is the second best possible hand according to standard poker hand rankings. Only the royal Flush outranks the Straight Flush. To make a straight hand, you need to get five cards of the same suit, which must also be in sequential order. However, this hand is not formed with strong cards; a straight flush can be formed from lower cards. Statistically speaking, a standard deck of cards contains 36 straight flush hands. However, Straight Flush is still one of the rarest hands you can make in poker because its probability is only 0.00135%. Since this hand is one of the rarest and strongest of all poker hands, if you get it, try to place as many bets as you can because you are likely to have the strongest hand at the table.
Four of a Kind
Exactly as the name indicates, this hand consists of four cards of the same rank or suit and a kicker. For example, four aces, four threes, or four jacks.
As you can see, a hand of four of a kind has a very advanced ranking. So, it is one of the rarest in poker, which also makes it invincible. The probability of getting any four cards of the same suit is only 1 in 4,165 on average, which is 0.02%. As already mentioned, if there are two or more players holding a hand of four of the same kind, the player with the highest single card wins. However, in most cases, you will win the round because this hand is already rare. So, if you find yourself about to make four of a kind, bet everything, as you are likely to be the winner in the end.
Full House
The full house is also known as the “full boat” and the “full hand”. This hand is the fourth best poker hand to lose only to four of a kind, straight cards, and royal Flush. A full house consists of a combination of one pair and three of the same kind. For example, if you have three jack cards and two queen cards, you have a full house.
If you play poker regularly, you will likely have a full house more often. This hand is not as rare as the previous three. So, it can be evaluated as a medium-strength hand. The probability of getting an entire house is 0.14%. If you have this hand, you must be careful when placing your bets, and it is best not to risk everything because you may lose to a player who has a full house higher than you.
Flush
Flush is also a medium-strength hand. This hand contains five cards that are all of the same suit and not all of a sequential rank. Note that this hand ranks lower than four of a kind and a full house. However, it is the fifth best hand, after the Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, and the Full House. The probability of obtaining a flush is 0.20%. This means that it is not rare, and it is possible to draw with one or more players. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest card wins. If both players have the same card, the player with the second-highest card wins, and so on. Therefore, it is important to proceed with caution. Furthermore, you have to be extra careful if your Flush consists of low poker cards. In this case, you are very likely to lose ties.
Straight
The straight is the sixth highest of all hands. This hand consists of five cards of any suit, in sequential order. The probability of getting this hand is very high at 0.39%. Thus, this hand is not rare at all. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest card is the winner. The best street hand ever and indomitable is from ace to ten.
A straight hand is weaker than four of a kind and stronger than three of a kind. Compared to other straight hands, this hand is so powerful that it can beat all the hands below it in the poker hand rankings.
Three of a Kind
A three-of-a-kind hand occupies the sixth position in the list of poker hands. This hand consists of 3 poker cards of the same rank, and the remaining two poker cards are of two different ranks. The 3-3-3-A-K hand is three of a kind. This hand can easily win over two pairs, one pair, and high hands. However, she can also be easily defeated by any of the above-mentioned hands. This means that this hand is very risky. So, it is always best to bet on the lowest possible values.
Two Pairs
The name says it all, a couple’s hand consists of two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank and one card of the third rank (kicker). It consists of two pairs of poker cards of equal order – such as AAKK or JJ55. The probability of getting this hand is 4.75%. If two or more players hold the pair’s hand, the hand with the highest pair wins. In the rare case that two or more players have an identical pair, the player with the highest kicker wins.
One Pair
One pair, or simply a pair, is a hand that includes two cards of one rank and three other ranks (kickers). This hand ranks lower than a couple and higher with a high card. As you can see, this hand is weak and doesn’t give you an edge at the table, but if you’re hopeful until the end, you can keep playing until the showdown round to see if any player has a higher hand than you.
In order of poker hands, this hand is the eighth best possible hand. The best pair are myrtle and king. There is only one hand under the rank of one pair, the High Card. The probability of getting this hand is 42.2569%.
High Card
When a player fails to make any of the above hands, the highest card plays. Assuming the highest card on the table is the Queen, the player with that card wins. If two or more players are tied in the high card, the side cards are compared.
Kicker
A kicker is a card also known as a “side card”. This card is not used to determine the hand rating but is used to break a tie. In other words, the player with the best hand wins, but what happens when no player gets any poker hand?! In this case, it is the side card that decides who wins.
Note You can also start trying out free poker games to know what beats what. Over time, this will become second nature to you, and you will develop into an experienced player. |
What are the basic rules of poker?
Now that you have learned how to play poker and the hand ranking, it’s time to learn the basic rules that are common to all poker variants at non GamStop casinos.
Blinds
All poker variants, including video poker, have blinds. If you are a gambler, then you will know this rule since it is common to all slots, baccarat, poker and blackjack games. The principle of blinds is very simple: you place a bet before participating in the game. If you win, you get it back, and if you lose, it goes to the winner, but since poker has multiple bets, most forms of poker usually have big and small blinds. This bet cannot be avoided if you want to keep playing; Just wish you had a good hand when it was your turn to get the blinds, and then the blinds would be simple for you.
Decks
Historically, a single standard 52-card deck was used in poker games. Until now, one deck of cards can still be used for fun games with family and friends. However, both non GamStop casinos and traditional casinos use 5-8 decks to prevent players from predicting cards as well as to prevent cheats and scams.
Rake
Rake is the alternative to House Edge. This term refers to the certain percentage that the casino takes from the pot or the total value of the tournament buy-in to generate profits. Rake rates range from 3% to 10%, and of course, it cannot be avoided whether you decide to play online or at land based gambling venues.
Poker Chips
Chips are the amount of money required to bet. In other words, the minimum and maximum value of the bet is on the table. The number of poker chips required varies greatly depending on the casino, the variant you are playing, and whether or not you are playing in a tournament. Fortunately, it is easy to check these things easily by clicking on the (i) button in the game before you start betting on it.
People
The number of people who can play at the table varies from game to game and casino to casino. In theory, more than 20 people can play at a single Texas Hold’Em table. However, in practice, non GamStop casinos prefer to have fewer players at the table to make the pace of play faster.
Cards
The number of community cards and the number of cards for each player varies based on the variant you are playing. Make sure, before you start playing, that you understand all the rules of your chosen genre.
Overview of All Available Poker Types
There are different types of poker that have evolved over time. Since poker is already an ancient game, it is not surprising that there were dozens of variants already invented from the sixteenth century to the present era. In the next part, we will give a brief about the most prominent poker games that you can find in non GamStop casinos.
Texas Hold’em – The Easiest Poker Version
Texas Hold ’em is the most popular variant of poker ever. Also, it is often seen as the easiest to play due to its simple goal; to attain the strongest hand of 5 cards. If you are a beginner, this game will be perfect for you. Also, if you are an experienced poker player, you will find a wide range of great tournaments that you can participate in and get huge profits.
The game starts when players place their ante bet before getting their cards, creating a pot. Each player receives two cards face down at the beginning. Once you’ve seen the cards, you get to engage in the betting round. Next, the croupier deals with the five community cards. So, you know what your hand is. The goal in this game is to use the hole cards and community cards to make the best possible combination. The player with the highest hand in the showdown round wins the pot.
HORSE – The Most Versatile Poker Game Ever
HORSE is a multi-game form that accommodates five different poker games in rotation. In other words, HORSE is not such much a poker variant in itself but rather a collection of the most popular poker variations. The acronym HORSE refers to the five poker disciplines that make up the game:
- H – Hold ’em
- O- Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz
- R- Seven Card
- S- Stud
- E- Eight or Better (Stud Hi/Lo)
At the end of each round, the dealer presses a button that completely changes the game type. In fact, the name of the game says it all:
There is also another format of the HORSE, HOSE. This game includes all the previous variants except for the Razz game.
7 Card Stud Poker – Fun and easy to learn
Before Texas Hold ’em became the most popular variant at non GamStop casinos, 7 Card Stud was the one that held this position. However, over the past years, the popularity of this variant has drastically decreased, and it has become very rare to find it in both traditional and online casinos alike.
Omaha Hold ’em – The Second Incarnation of Texas Hold ’em!
As the name makes clear, Omaha Hold ’em is derived from Texas Hold ’em. So, if you have mastered the rules of Texas Hold ’em, you will not have any difficulty understanding the rules of Omaha Hold ’em as the rules are identical, except that players get four cards instead of two.
Omaha Hi/Lo – Fun Game But Requires More Ingenuity
Omaha Hi-Lo is one of the most popular and fun forms of poker. In this game, the “high” hand is determined, just as in all other poker games, according to the basic hand ranking. However, this game also rewards low hands, and this point requires further explanation.
First, it’s worth noting that the cards you use to make a high hand don’t make a difference when you create a low hand.
Second, the low hand consists of any sequential cards under eight. This means that the best low hand is (A-2-3-4-5) while the worst hand that can be considered low is (8-7-6-5-4). It’s also worth noting that if your bottom five cards are straight or flush, it doesn’t matter in the low hand.
As you can see, Omaha Hi/Lo requires a lot of dexterity because here, the player has two missions (forming a strong hand and a weak hand). However, mastering this game can open the door to huge profits against players who are unable to shake off the mindsets of Texas Hold ’em.
Pai Gow Poker – The Only Poker Game That Uses Dice!
Developed in 1986, Pai Gow Poker is derived from the domino game in which groups of dominoes are arranged in such a way that they appear very complex. The goal here is not to have the highest hand ever, but the objective of pai gow poker is to attain two poker hands that can beat the two hands of the banker.
At the beginning of the game, the dealer shuffles the cards and then distributes them to the players. Each player gets seven cards face-down and must create two hands, High and low. In this version, the dice are used to decide which player to place a bet.
Video Poker – A Great Mix of Slot Machines & Poker
One of the most popular forms of poker in non GamStop casinos is video poker. This game is very popular because it combines the gameplay of slots and the rules of poker. Video poker does not use dealers, cards, or shuffles. It is a battle between the man and a computerized console. In video poker, just like any other type of poker, all of the winning combinations are based on the standard poker hands. The video poker paytable provides info about the winning hand combinations along with the amounts they pay out.
Unlike slot games, players can interfere in video poker games by keeping strong cards for the next round and exchanging others to gain new cards that may help them form a winning hand. Some of the best video poker games that you can find at non GamStop casinos are:
- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
- Jokers Wild
- Bonus Poker
- Tens or Better
- Aces and Faces
The game begins when the player loads the game with a minimum of 1 to 5 coins in the game to make his bet. After that, 3-7 cards will appear on the screen. Players can choose whether they want to discard some or all of their cards. If you already got a poker hand, you will get a payout according to your hand rank and the game’s paytable.
Video Poker games have modern features, including exhilarating sound effects, in-game bonuses, gambling rounds, and free spins. Players can bet on this game starting from just 0.1 cents. Moreover, non GamStop casinos offer their customers a lot of excellent bonuses and promotions that you can use to play video poker for a longer period of time and get bigger profits as well.
Poker Variants Summary
“Poker takes five minutes to learn but a lifetime to master.” – Mike Sexton |
Previously, we discussed the most prominent poker game variants that you can find in non GamStop casinos. As you can see, poker is a very diverse card game, and although it is easy to learn, it takes a lifetime to master. Poker games include different tactics and special strategies and techniques.
If you are looking for quick entertainment, then video poker games will be right for you. If you want to enjoy the excitement of real gaming, then you should bet on Texas Hold’em game. In case if you feel the urge for a change, you can try other forms of poker like Card Stud Poker 7, Omaha Hol’dem and Pai Gaw Poker. However, Hi-Lo requires more dexterity and focus. Once you have mastered all the poker variants, you can try HORSE as it offers great variety and attracts professional players as well. See a new comparison post on Forex and Poker.
Play Poker on Your Smartphone
According to Netimperative, nearly two-thirds (64%) of total website traffic came from smartphones. This means that online gamblers are gradually moving from using desktop devices to hand-held devices. Therefore, no modern casino can refrain from offering a flexible platform that is compatible with all types of smartphone operating systems. Moreover, there are plenty of premium casinos that have developed their native apps that you can download to your device so that you can access your favourite games with the click of a button.
Whether you decide to enjoy playing through the browser or the casino app, unfortunately, you will not find the full range of games available. For example, if a casino offers a game library of 4,000 games, its mobile version will only host 2,000 games. However, you still have a chance to enjoy the most popular games on your smartphone or tablet.
Mobile poker games fit all screens, so you don’t need to zoom in or out when playing. Moreover, these games have a lot of features. For example, you can play in battery-saving mode if you are far from the charger. You can also choose to play in landscape or portrait mode. The sound effects also add special fun when playing, so it is best to play with a headset.
All mobile poker games run flexibly on both smartphones and tablets without clutter or crashes. In terms of platform functionality, you can easily make your deposits and withdrawals as all the payment methods are available. As a rule, all promotions are available to smartphone users, from welcome bonuses to daily bonuses and monthly offers.
8 Basic Poker Tips Every Poker Player Should Know
“We all start out as losing poker players.” – Anonymous |
All beginnings are difficult. The same goes for starting to learn poker. Whether your goal in playing poker is entertainment or professionalism, you definitely want to win all the time or, in other words, you want to win whenever there is a chance.
From the previous explanation, you will surely have a good idea of what to do and what to avoid when playing poker at non GamStop casinos. For example, when you have a strong hand, you must be bold in placing your bets, and when you have a medium or weak hand, you must be careful with each new bet. If you decide to play video poker, you should choose the title with the RTP. In the next part, we will give you the most important tips that we wished we have known when we started playing poker. Learning these simple 8 tips will hopefully make your journey much easier by avoiding the pitfalls that many rookies fall victim to.
Choosing the Right Casino
For novice players, all non GamStop casinos look the same. However, they are not at all! Although games selection may be quite similar, casinos without GamStop differ in bonuses and promotions, payment methods, smartphone compatibility, customer service, and many other factors as well. Therefore, it is important to research to find out the best casino to sign up for.
Through our website, we provide you with all the information you need to know about all reputable non GamStop casinos. Moreover, if you are still a beginner, you need to make sure that the casino of your choice offers free poker games that you can access before opening a new account or making your first deposit.
Casino Terms and Conditions
Everyone loves the fun of playing, but no one likes to know the terms that go into that fun! Each online casino has a set of terms and conditions that define the nature of the relationship between it and the player, the limits of the fair use of bonuses and promotions, the cases in which the casino is entitled to confiscate the player’s earnings, as well as ways to resolve various disputes. Although no one wants to waste time reading the terms, this doesn’t mean those contractual requirements are gone! You must read the casino terms and conditions carefully before agreeing to them tacitly.
Select Your Game
Once you have chosen a casino that is right for you and that has clear terms and conditions that are free of detours, you should take a look at the game package available and make sure that it matches your requirements as a player – Do you enjoy playing video poker? Or Texas Hold ’em is your favourite?
Once a player decides on one of the variants, he will face another question: is it better to play cash games or multi-table tournaments? In cash games, the player needs a certain amount to participate in the table. In multi-table tournament games, the player pays a fixed amount to participate.
Determine Your Skill Level & Bankroll Amount
If you decide to start your poker career, you should choose the right games/tournaments for your skill level. Although the high stakes games are always tempting, they are not at all suitable for novice players and can drain their bankrolls at lightning speed – no player certainly likes to be a moron or get so many bad beats in one gaming session.
The biggest problem that professional players can also face is playing for too long or playing tired. They may not be fully conscious of that, but, undoubtedly, their appearance tells if they play when not fully mentally alert.
You should also choose the right games for your bankroll amount. For example, if you decide to start your career with a balance of less than €100, you should choose games/tournaments with a maximum entry fee of $2. This way, you can enjoy playing for a longer period and make up for your losses. As for tournaments, all players should always be careful because participating in these tournaments may consume a large part of their money.
Bankroll Management
The topic of bankroll management is essential for every poker player, not just for beginners. Whether you are a beginner or a professional gamer, you definitely have a budget and want to use it in the best possible way to have an enjoyable and profitable gaming experience. Besides being a responsibility, it is also part of the game. Remember that when you get a bad hand, you must fold before placing more bets on your bad hand. Therefore, it is wise to risk smart.
Dealing With Downswings
What every poker beginner needs to learn as quickly as possible is that poker is also a game of chance. Despite the amazing skill part it contains, you won’t be able to change your bad cards. Thus, there is a very large variance in poker, as in any other gambling game or even any sport. If you follow the events of the WSOP tournaments, you will know what we mean, the best players in the world can suffer huge downs. However, your main skills are to deal with bad luck, not bet emotionally or aggressively.
Continuous Learning
Once you learn the basics of poker, you can’t stop! No player can be proud of being an indomitable poker pro. You need your whole life for that. Behind the basic rules, there are very complex strategies and tactics that you have to master fully. To improve your poker results, you can try different games, read books about poker, and watch educational videos on YouTube.
Subscribe to Poker Forums
If learning and reading books are boring for you, you can sign up for one of the online poker forums. Through these sites, you can find a great learning environment and lots of members with whom you can exchange ideas. Most likely, memberships to these sites are free. Members can easily take advantage of the content provided by the most professional players.
Conclusion
Poker is a truly unique gambling game. Although it does not entice players to get the jackpot like slots and does not have the momentum of roulette, it does contain a large part of skill and strategy. Moreover, poker is the only game that does not have a house edge. Thus, all players have the same chance of winning. Non GamStop casinos include a huge selection of poker and video poker games. Remember that most of these games are available as free poker demo versions that even don’t require you to create a new account. If you want to know more about these attractive sites, you can read our reviews about them.
FAQ About Poker Games at Non GamStop Casinos
Texas Hold ’em. This game is the most popular poker variant ever, and you can find it in all online and traditional casinos alike.
Although poker is often regarded as a game of luck, there is a substantial amount of skill involved in understanding probability and game theory.
In all poker variants, the most powerful hand you can ever have is the Royal Flush.
The Flush can be considered a medium-strength hand as it is beaten by Royal Flush, Street Flush, Four of a Kind, and Full House. However, this hand can beat Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pairs, One Pair, and Kicker.
You can get great bonuses for video poker games. However, you don’t get bonuses for live games or other poker variants.