Poker is booming! It´s one of the few online casino games in which you can win huge amounts of money with a relatively small investment. That´s exactly why we reviewed the best online poker rooms that are available. Below you can find an overview of the internet´s best poker rooms!
Do you have the ambition to become the next Poker pro?
Poker, a card game, is extremely popular, and the game is played globally. Almost everyone speaks the language of poker, making a huge call on the river or bluff someone out of their hand. Until a few years ago, Poker was mainly played at online rooms like Pokerstars, Fulltilt Poker and Partypoker. But thanks to the rapidly growing industry, there are hundreds of alternatives available. We have done extensive research on the poker rooms, which provide players with the best possible gaming experience, and listed the standout online poker sites.
Poker is a strategic game in which odds are only part of the game, and with the right strategy, your chances of winning are enormous.
There are poker tournaments available in which you can win up to 200.000 -EUR with an investment of just 50,-EUR. Of course, it might be possible that you already know the basics of the game, but in case you don´t, we recommend you have a look at the basic rules of poker.
These online poker rooms have been thoroughly selected on the following criteria
- Quality software & amount of poker games available
- User-friendly environment
- Reliability and trustworthiness
- Licensing and Withdrawal speed
Our best online poker rooms
2. Pokerstars
£500 bonus + 50 free spins.
- Rated with 4,8 / 5
- 24-7 customer support
- Easy registration
Online Poker - the Basics
For players who are new to poker, we would like to give you a heads up on the basics of the game. Have a good look at them; they might be the reason that you have a huge advantage while playing in your favourite online poker room!
Each player gets dealt two cards face down, which only they can see. In the middle of the table, the dealer deals 5 shared cards, the player that´s able to make the best combination with 3 of the 5 shared cards using the 2 cards dealt to them earlier wins! However, it is possible to win the game by having other people fold their hands instead of waiting for the showdown of the 5 shared cards.
Poker Hand Rankings
Please have a look at the combinations you can make while playing poker:
1. High Card
When none of the 5 shared cards results in a hit for you, only the highest card counts.
2. One Pair
A pair consists of two cards with the same value, for example 6,6 or A,A. When you have hit one pair your other card sometimes also determines the outcome of the hand which is called the kicker. If two players have the same pair the kicker determines the outcome.
3. Two Pair
Two pair consists of hitting two pairs, meaning you have two cards of the same value.
4. Three of a kind
Consists of 3 cards all of the same value.
5. Straight
When you have 5 consecutive cards this means you have hit a straight.
6. Flush
When you hit 5 cards of the same type, for example 5 cards with hearts or 5 cards with spades.
7. Full house
A full house is a combination of three of a kind and one pair.
8. Four of a kind
With a four of a kind you have 4 cards of the same value e.g. K K K K
9. Straight Flush
A straight flush is a combination of a straight and a flush, meaning 5 consecutive cards with the same type, this is the second strongest hand in poker.
10. Royal Flush
In order to hit a royal flush you need to make a combination of 10-J-Q-K-A and they all need to be of the same type. A royal flush is the strongest hand in poker.
Actions
What to do when it´s your turn? You can choose from four options:
Fold
When you don´t have any faith in your hand and think your opponent is ahead of you it´s best to fold your hand and not invest any more money knowing you are behind.
Bet/Raise
When you have a strong hand or want to bluff someone out of their hand you can choose to raise the stakes and can choose how much you want to invest in your hand.
Call
When another player before you has already made a bet or call and it´s your turn but you do not want to raise you can always choose to just call the hand.
Check
When nobody has invested any money in the pot yet, and you don´t feel comfortable doing it yourself you can choose to make a check.
Poker and Positions
Your position is a very important part of the poker game. Decisions are often made depending on what position you have in the game. The best possible position to be in is being the dealer. This is the most favourable position you can have and makes you a lot stronger. Your position allows you to make decisions last. When you are in a favourable position, you can carefully observe your opponent’s decision in every betting round. This gives you a lot more information on where you stand.
Why Play Poker?
Poker is more than just a game. It’s a lifestyle, an identity, and a sport. People who enjoy playing poker are usually passionate about the game and take their time learning all they can about it. Poker is a game of skill that requires strategy, math skills, and reading the other players.
For many poker players, It’s a great game to play as an intellectual challenge. Poker can be played at a wide range of stakes, allowing players from any financial background to compete no matter what their budget. This is particularly the case if you are playing at an online poker site. You can play for as little as a few Euros or as much as several thousand.
When you play online poker, the reasons become even more appealing. It offers a convenient and accessible way of gambling without having to leave the comfort of their own home. In addition, online poker can be played by anyone at any time of day or night – as long as they have an internet connection.
How To Choose The Best Online Poker Sites
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced poker player, there is no shortage of online poker sites to choose from. Some things to consider when choosing an online poker room are what bonuses are offered, does the poker site get good reviews and how much traffic it gets. We’ve already found the best sites with the best bonuses, so we’ve done all your homework for you. But as they say, knowledge is power, so it’s always worth understanding the factors that make up the best online poker sites.
Poker Site Reviews
At BetSquare, we are very mindful of what sites we recommend to our visitors. We do our due diligence to ensure that they are the top online poker sites to suit beginners and experienced poker players alike. We look for online pokers sites with a consistent track record, fast withdrawals and generous welcome bonuses. We’ve put the spotlight on our two favourite online poker sites so you can find out all the information you need before signing up. You’ll learn more about their bonuses, customer service, payment methods and more. Read our PokerStars Review Here and our PartyPoker Review Here.
Traffic to Online Poker Sites
For many people, the traffic to an online poker room is one of the most important considerations when deciding where to play. A busy site means there are more players and higher stakes for you to beat. How busy the site is has a significant impact on how it is experienced by players because the greater the amount of traffic, the greater the number of tables available from which to choose. At huge sites like PokerStars or PartyPoker, you’ll find hundreds of poker tables available, allowing players to select a stake that matches their budget or preferences.
Bonuses Offered by the Best Online Poker Sites
The best online poker site will give you a bonus when you make an initial deposit, as well as one for referring other people. You should take advantage of these benefits because it means more money in your pocket. Bonuses are not limited to just first-time depositors either; you’ll find new promotions and rewards at your chosen online poker site happening all the time.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
One of the biggest benefits of online poker over traditional bricks and mortar poker rooms is that you have a wide range of payments to deposit and withdraw your winnings.
Payment methods include:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Paysafecard
- ecoPayz
- PayPal
- Direct Bank Transfer
- Apple Pay
and more.
Depending on your payment method, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 3-5 business days to receive your funds.
How to Get Started at an Online Poker Room
The first step to getting started is to find a reputable site to play online poker. You can skip this step by choosing one or even both of our recommended best online poker sites. Ensure that you click through our link to receive a healthy welcome bonus!
On the online poker site’s home page, there will be an obvious ‘join’ button to click on; you’ll then be asked for some personal details such as name, address, email address, date of birth etc.
You will also be required to choose a username and password. Ensure the password is strong and be aware that your username will be on display when you play in the poker room, so choose your name wisely!
The next step is downloading the client software, which is a simple step by step process and very straightforward. Once downloaded, you can deposit some money into your account and claim your bonus. The bonus might require a code to unlock, so make a note of it. Also, ensure you read the terms and conditions to understand any special requirements.
You can then visit the lobby of the online poker site and choose how you want to play. It might be a little overwhelming at first if you are new to poker, but you will usually find free play games to get you started. Once you have found your feet, you can check out other options such as ‘Instant Play ‘Cash Games’, ‘Sit and Go Poker’, and ‘Poker Tournaments.’
Types of Poker Available at the Best Poker Sites
Many people are aware of Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but there are many other poker games as well, some of which are popular in different regions or countries than others. The difference between these games comes from the number of cards dealt to players, the betting structure and what combinations can form a winning hand. Some examples include Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud, and Razz.
Here are a few of the different games you are likely to find at an online poker site.
Texas Hold'em Poker
There are many real money online poker game variations, but Texas Hold’em is the version most people know about and play. It’s typically the first poker variant that newcomers to the game learn because it’s relatively easy to learn, and it can be found at pretty much all online poker rooms.
Texas Hold’em Poker also has some of the widest variations of betting structures. As a result, it can accommodate any player with different bankroll sizes or levels of risk tolerance.
It’s based on five community cards, and two hole cards dealt to each player, and where players can use any combination of these seven cards to create the best hand.
The first three rounds of betting are called ‘pre-flop, ‘flop,’ and ‘turn.’ or ‘fourth street’ After these rounds, there is another round of betting called ‘river’ or sometimes just referred to as ‘fifth street’. After that, it’s the showdown; the players remaining in the game reveal their hole cards, and the dealer determines the winning hand. The pot is won by the poker player who has the best combination of five cards.
Omaha Poker
The second most popular real money poker game after Texas Hold’em is Omaha. Like Texas Hold’em, it is a ‘flop’ game in which community cards are used. However, in Omaha poker, you are dealt four hole cards rather than two. When you make your poker hand, you must use two of your hole cards and three of the community cards. Otherwise, the game is played out the same with the same card rankings as Hold’em and the same betting action, namely the preflop, flop, turn and river. If you’ve already played Texas Hold’em before or vice versa, the rules should be easy to follow. What will change is the strategy you use, though positioning is important with both games.
Five Card Draw Poker
5-Card Draw is one of the most straightforward poker variants and also one of the oldest. Before the World Series of Poker and movies such as Casino Royale and Rounders made Texas Hold’em famous, 5 card draw was the poker game everyone played. If you are a fan of old cowboy movies, this is the game that you’ll see them playing at the saloon.
When it comes to hand rankings, Five Card Draw follows the same rules as all other poker game variations. With Royal Flush being the highest hand achievable. Unlike Hold’em and Omaha, there are no community cards; this is a ‘draw’ poker game that allows the players to improve their card hand by trading part of it during the game.
As with most online poker games, 5 card draw starts with a forced bet. The players are then dealt 5 cards and have the opportunity to bet or fold on these cards. This is followed by the draw round in which players trade the cards they don’t want with the dealer in exchange for the same number of new cards. There is another round of betting before the showdown, where the player with the highest-ranking 5 card hand wins.
Seven Card Stud Poker
Stud poker doesn’t have community cards, and you can’t trade in your cards for new ones. The pot in Seven Card Stud Poker is won by the player who has the best five-card poker hand out of a possible seven cards.
To begin, each player is required to contribute an ante to the pot. The players are then dealt two cards face down and one card that is face up. The first betting round begins (fourth street), and the players are dealt another card face up. The second betting round (fifth street) continues in the same fashion, with another card being dealt face up. Sixth street, the third betting round, each player is dealt one more face-up card. The next betting round is the river, and the seventh card is dealt but this time face down. There is a final betting round before the showdown. The winner is the player with the best 5 card poker hand.
Razz Poker
You should understand how to play Seven Card Stud Poker before you play Razz. In Razz, the objective is to make the worst possible card hand in order to win the pot. The best or worst card hand (depending on how you look at it) you can achieve is 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace. Aces are always low in Razz poker. As with Seven Card Stud Poker, seven cards are dealt during the game, and the best low five-card hand wins the game.
Ways to Play Poker Online
There are three main ways to play poker; you can play in a cash game, sit n’ go or online poker tournament. The rules don’t change for any of them, just the format. Of course, you don’t have to decide to play just one way; there’s no reason why you can’t have fun playing at all three.
Cash Games
A cash game is the most common type of poker played online. The games are usually more casual than tournaments but still require skill and strategy. Cash games are poker games played for cash stakes, meaning that there is no prize pool or tournament entry fee.
The most common form of cash game played online is No-Limit Hold’em, but other variations exist as well, like Pot Limit Omaha and Fixed Limit Hold’em.
The primary advantage of cash games is their flexibility; if you want to play for 10 minutes or you want to sit down for a 5-hour online poker session, it is entirely up to you.
Sit n' Go's
When you play poker in a sit and go tournament, you usually play against a group of six to ten other players, but they can be much larger. Sit and Go tournaments will typically be completed in less than an hour, making it simple for players to participate without committing a significant amount of their time.
Sit n’ Go’s begin as soon as a sufficient number of participants have registered. . They are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no set schedule.
The buy-in is fixed with all players getting the same amount of chips. Anyone who loses all of their chips is eliminated from the competition. The prize money, which is made up of the buy-ins of all players, is awarded to the last two or three players remaining at the table.
Poker Tournaments
An online poker tournament is a competition where players are eliminated over the course of several rounds or hands until one player emerges as the winner. Poker tournaments come in various formats, including Satellites which are Tournaments that award satellite seats into larger events and MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments).
An MTT can be played as a freezeout game, where players put up their buy-ins at the beginning of the game, and there are no refunds if someone loses all his money. Alternatively, an MTT can be played as a rebuy tournament, where players get to keep what they win after each round but can purchase additional chips during breaks between rounds.
Tournaments can be amazing fun and if you are the winner, extremely lucrative. The downside is that they can be very time consuming, so if you have a busy lifestyle, you might find it difficult to find the time to compete in them.
Online Poker Tips
Here are 10 quick tips that might help your bankroll go further:
- Find a reputable online poker site such as PokerStars or PartyPoker that offer the best game selection and bonuses.
- Make sure to use an online poker site with a large player base for increased competition.
- Begin by play in low stakes games as they are less intimidating for new players.
- Practice with other players in freeroll tournaments before you start playing for real money.
- Try out different types of poker games until you find one you like.
- Know when to fold – if you’re not getting any cards that will improve your hand, it’s time to stop playing.
- Keep track of all your wins and losses and analyze them later for trends in play.
- Try not to get too emotional while playing; stay calm and collected.
- Set a budget for yourself, don’t go over it.
- Always look for ways to improve your skills, such as by watching instructional videos on YouTube or reading poker books or articles about the game.
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Online Poker Rooms FAQs
What is the best online poker room?
Typically this will come down to personal preference; the bigger sites will give you more options when playing poker online with more tables available and the widest range of poker variations. Our top sites for playing online poker are PokerStars and PokerParty both are secure established sites that are great for anyone from newbies to poker pros.
How much cash do I need to get started?
You might be surprised how little you need to get started playing at real money online poker sites. It can be much cheaper than playing at land-based poker rooms. With a starting budget of 50 to 100 Euros to deposit, this should be sufficient to last an extended period of time as long as you keep off the high-limit tables! Don’t forget you can also make use of your welcome bonus to top up your bankroll.
How do I know if an online poker site is legit?
If you’re looking for a poker site to play at you need to know that it’s trustworthy. You want the security of knowing that your information is kept safe and secure and that your money is handled with integrity. The good news is that there are a lot of great sites out there. We have reviewed all the best online poker rooms for you to choose from. You might have a preference regarding the one you would like to play at, but what they all have in common is that they are legitimate and reputable poker sites.
Do poker rooms accept cryptocurrency?
The increase in the use of cryptocurrencies has resulted in several dedicated crypto-poker sites appearing. Many established poker sites now accept bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as a valid deposit and withdrawal method. However, there are a few untrustworthy poker sites that take advantage of cryptocurrencies features to scam new players. Due to the nature of cryptocurrency and its lack of regulation, it is best to approach any crypto poker site you are unsure of with plenty of caution.
Lisa Cheban
Lisa works as a content writer and specializes in delivering top tier i-gaming content which is why her articles and blog posts are always very engaging and informative. Well spoken, and does her research very well in an industry where transparency, honesty and constant follow up is a rarity.