gambling-logo
Home / Online Poker Guide

Online Poker Guide

Author: Preston Davis | Updated: May 28, 2023

Look no further if you want to learn how to play online poker! This blog post will teach you the basics of poker strategy. We'll also give you tips and tricks to help you win more often when playing online. Playing poker can be a lot of fun, but it's important to remember that it's also a competition. With the right skills and knowledge, you can become a winning player and take your game to the next level!

How to Play Online Poker

Let's start with a summary of poker rules. Texas Hold'em is the most popular type of poker; therefore, we'll use it as an example. At the beginning of each round in Hold'em (also known as “turn”), each player gets two cards to face down (also known as “turn”). These three community cards are well-known to everyone at the table.

After the flop is played, a single “turn” card is placed on top. After another round of bets, a final “river” card is placed on top of the turn to create the best possible 5-card poker hand using your two-hole cards and five community cards.

Here are the standard poker rankings of winning hands:

  1. Royal Flush: The royal flush is the best possible poker hand. It comprises five consecutive cards of the same suit, ranked from 10 to ace.
  2. Straight Flush: A straight flush is five cards of the same suit that are consecutive in rank. The only thing that can beat a straight flush is another straight flush with higher-ranking cards.
  3. Four of a Kind: When you are playing poker, and you have five cards, one of which is the highest card on the table or in your hand, that card completes your five-card hand.
  4. Full House: If you have three of the same value card in different suits and a pair of the same rank in two suits, you have a winning hand. The hand with the higher or highest value three of a kind is the winner.
  5. Flush: In poker, the flush is a hand of five cards of the same suit. The flush is won by the hand with the highest card. If two players have flushes, the one with the highest card wins.
  6. Straight: A five-card hand with sequential values and more than one suit. The ace can rank either high or low, but not both on the same hand.
  7. Three of a Kind: A poker hand with three cards of the same rank in three different suits. The two highest available cards other than the three of a kind complete the hand.
  8. Two Pairs: Two different sets of two cards of matching rank. The highest-ranked card in each set completes the hand.
  9. One Pair: A pair of cards of the same rank in different suits is called a “pair.” The rest of the hand comprises the three highest-ranked cards available.
  10. High Card: This is the worst hand. The best card in this hand is the king of spades.

10 Online Poker Strategy Tips to Improve Your Game

Poker Tip #1: Keep an Eye on your Opponents.

Staying mindful of your opponents is a huge part of playing online poker: paying attention to how they bet and thus better grasping their hand strength and informing ideal decisions at the table.
This is especially important in online poker, as the platform makes reading your opponents' faces impossible. In this environment, you'll need to pay attention to betting patterns and aim to read hands to the best of your ability.
Nevertheless, try not to get too caught up in trying to read your opponents. Remember to also focus on your hand and make the best decisions accordingly.
It’s also important to keep in mind that even the best poker players on the planet can't read their opponents each and every time. Sometimes, you'll need to guess and hope for the best!

Poker Tip #2: Play for the Long Run

Online poker is a marathon, not a sprint. Remember to stay patient and play for the long run if you want to find success.
Don't let setbacks—unavoidable in real-world play—discourage you. The odds will not always work in your favour, but you will prevail more frequently over time with the right mindset. After all, poker’s a long-term endeavour that requires many hands to learn how to win in a realistic setting.
Don't try to make up for any losses with risky bets, and remember to always “keep calm and carry on” if you want to play well over the long run.

Poker Tip #3: Know When to Hold ‘Em and Fold ‘Em

Yep, the classic Kenny Rogers song wasn’t wrong. If you're holding a losing hand, never be ashamed to give up; it's the smart thing to do. There's no point in chasing your losses and trying to win back money you've already lost, as you'll only lose more money in the long run.
In these situations, it's better to cut your losses and move on to the next hand. You can't win ‘em all, but you can certainly lose ‘em all if you're not careful.
As frustrating as folding is, it's an integral part of poker.

Poker Tip #4: Master Your Skills

To become a winner in the world of poker, you’ll need to master your skills. Online poker is a skill-based game; the better your skills, the more money you'll make.
You can improve your poker prowess by reading books and watching videos about poker strategy. Many online resources, such as online poker forums, can also help (and are often free!), allowing you to glean feedback and advice from other players.
Remember, practice does make perfect. The more you play, the more often you’ll make the

Poker Tip #5: Choose Your Hands Carefully

As a poker newbie, it’s a good idea to play each hand as it comes: allowing you to have as much fun as everyone around you without worrying about losing money. Remember that in the second betting round, most of your hands will be behind, and you will lose money.

The poker strategy aims to select the best starting hands and then pass on the wrong hands in favour of better ones (a no-brainer, if you will). After the flop (when the first three cards are shown), you should raise with a few strong hands if you are one of the last players to act in the lineup: thus forcing your peers to fold (or lose money if they continue) while you enjoy the benefit of a mighty hand.

Some of the most common “good hands” in poker include:

  1. Pocket Aces (A-A)
  2. Pocket Kings (K-K)
  3. Pocket Queens (Q-Q)
  4. Pocket Jacks (J-J)
  5. Ace-King Suited (A-K, same suit)
  6. Pocket 10s (10-10)
  7. Ace-King Off-Suit (A-K)
  8. Ace-Queen Suited (A-Q, same suit)
  9. Pocket 9s (9-9)
  10. Ace-Jack Suited (A-J, same suit)

Poker Tip #6: Be Aggressive

In poker, aggressive play means betting and raising when you have a good hand and folding when you have a bad one (naturally). That’s how you win money!
On the flip side, passive players only bet or raise when they have a very strong hand. Fearing they’ll lose money, they miss out on potential profits. Hardline players, meanwhile, are not afraid to put their chips on the line. If you’re new to the game, starting with a passive mindset is a good idea and then gradually transitioning to more aggressive play as you gain experience.

Poker Tip #7: Follow GTO Strategy

GTO (Game Theory Optimal) refers to the be-all, end-all no-limit hold 'em strategy. This is simply a complicated way of saying you should play each hand per methods mathematically proven as the most profitable over the long run. Though difficult to master, this is something professional poker players strive for and can put you well on your way to poker success if you, too, learn to conquer it.

Poker Tip #8: Utilize a Mixed Strategy

A mixed strategy reflects a combination of various strategies used in various situations. For example, perhaps you play aggressively when you have a good hand and fold when you have a bad one. Or maybe you bluff more often amidst a smaller pot and less often when it grows.

The key to using a mixed strategy? Keep your opponents guessing! Anyone who finds your actions difficult to predict will have a heck of a time beating you. Though many mixed strategies exist in the game, experiment to find out which one(s) will help you triumph against your opponents.

Poker Tip #9: Understand Poker Table Positions

In poker, the position is everything. Let’s discuss each one in detail:

Early position: Playing against someone in the first position? You’re in a hurry. The following two positions are referred to as “early positions” because you have no idea what anyone else will do: meaning you should only play the highest cards possible (in theory).

Middle position: The following few seats are perfect for watching other players. Should anyone in these seats raise, you can raise with any couple while deciphering their actions and creating more couples and connections in your game.

Late position: Seats in this position (or the cutoff and button) are premier seats in poker: allowing you to raise with more hands than before, such as any ace wherein the other card is equal in rank (or any two suited cards). You are privy to the other players’ actions and can thus make better decisions when you have a hand. If everyone else folds, enjoy your chance for an immediate pot win by stealing the blinds.

The blinds: The two seats to the left of the button are called the “small blind” and “big blind.” The former is the first player to act. The latter? The second player to act. Both must add money to the pot before dealing any cards.

The button: The last seat is called “the button.” This is the best seat at the table. Why? Because you get to act last! This means you’ve acquired all information about what your counterparts have done and can use this to your advantage by either bluffing or betting when you have a good hand.

Poker Tip #10: Manage Your Poker Bankroll

As the name implies, your bankroll is the amount of money you have available for poker play. It's perhaps no surprise that managing your bankroll carefully is essential to avoid going broke (eek!).

First up? Set a budget for yourself, meaning the amount of money you can afford to lose without impacting your life. After coming up with this number, you must stick to it.

If you start losing money, never succumb to the temptation to make bigger bets to win it back. Instead, take a much-needed break and return to the table when you can afford to lose again.

Yes, poker is a game of skill; but it's also a game of luck. No matter how brilliant you are at gameplay, you will undoubtedly grapple with a losing streak at one point or another. This is precisely why it’s so important to employ a bankroll that can withstand the (guaranteed) ups and downs of the game.

Follow these simple tips, and you'll be well on your way to poker mastery and success. Remember that getting good at the game takes time and practice, so don't get discouraged if losses accompany your wins. Keep playing and learning; before you know it, you'll be a pro!


FAQs

What is online poker?

Poker enthusiasts, rejoice! With online poker, you have the opportunity to compete against people from all corners of the globe and test your luck with real money or just for fun. No longer are you confined by geographic boundaries; let a virtual poker room be your new gaming home!

How does online poker work?

You must register at an online poker room, deposit some funds, and join your preferred game or tournament. With electronic cards being dealt right away, you can make bets and decisions as if playing in a real-life setting—all from the comfort of your own home!

How do I know if an online poker site is safe?

When selecting an online poker site, finding one that is secure and regulated by a trusted gaming authority should be your top priority. Ensure the site utilizes encryption to protect all of your personal information as well as financial data. This will provide peace of mind in knowing you are playing on a safe and reliable platform.

What types of poker games are available online?

Online poker sites provide an expansive selection of games, including Texas Hold'em and Omaha. Players can also choose from a variety of formats, like cash games or multi-table tournaments, to best suit their gaming style.

Can I play online poker for free?

Positively, various online poker sites offer free games and tournaments that make it possible for players to play without endangering their money. These are the perfect opportunity to hone your abilities with no fear of losing any cash in the process.

Can I play online poker with friends?

Enjoy the convenience of playing poker online without sacrificing the fun of playing with your friends by taking advantage of private tables or tournaments offered on certain online poker sites. You and your pals can battle it out in a secure, personalized setting that offers all the features you'd expect from an internet-based card game!

Are there any strategies I can use to win at online poker?

Winning at online poker can be accomplished with a few effective strategies. These include playing tight and aggressive, bluffing assertively, and observing your opponents' betting patterns intently. With these tactics in mind, you'll soon find yourself seeing success!

Preston Davis is a gambling writer based in London. He's always on the lookout for new Online casinos, bonuses, and games to write about - so you can be sure he's on top of any news as soon as it breaks. Preston takes his work seriously but likes to have fun too - which is why he thoroughly tests everything he reviews before giving his final verdict. Preston enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children when he's not writing or playing games.