Playing Poker Online

Poker does not just mean Texas Hold’em, there are more games than that online. These games, and variations thereof, are available at all the big and popular poker rooms. You will always find a game at these bigger rooms and chances are that you will find a game that suites your budget and skill level too. New poker rooms are not bad but you do initially struggle to find a game. Our recommended poker rooms are all well established. Playing poker online is not all that different to playing in a land based casino other than being able to play from the comfort of your own home. You are of course also NOT on show and the skill of hiding your excitement when you have a great hand is not tested. This can be a very big plus if you are one of those people who cannot hide a smile.

Texas Hold’em

This is by far the most popular game out there. It is the core game of the World Poker Series and can regularly be seen on television. The object of the game is to finish with the best poker hand, and win the pot. Two cards are dealt to each Player (these are called pocket cards), and then 5 community cards are dealt by the dealer. The player needs to make the best hand available out of the total 7 available cards. A round of betting precedes each community card.

Omaha

Omaha Poker is similar to Texas Hold’em Poker in that it is also a community game. Players must create the best five-card hand combination from a total of nine cards. The nine cards are made up of four pocket cards and five community cards. This results in stronger hand combinations. A player’s hand must be made up of 2 pocket cards and 3 community cards.

Omaha Hi-Lo

Omaha Hi-Lo Poker is a variation of Texas Hold’em Poker. In Omaha Hi-Lo Poker, the highest and lowest hands split the pot equally. 4 pocket cards and 5 cards community cards are dealt. Winning hands must consist of two pocket cards and three community cards. A low hand can only win if all the cards in the hand have a value of 8 or less.

Seven-Card Stud

Seven Card Stud Poker has five rounds of betting. Each player is dealt three cards, two pocket cards and one visible card. Rounds of betting precede the Dealer giving each player three more up cards and one more down card. A final round of betting occurs after the last card, and the Player with the highest five card hand wins using any five of their seven cards.

Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Poker is based on Seven Card Stud Poker, except Players play for two pots – the best low hand and the best high hand. Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Poker has five rounds of betting.

Five-Card Stud

Each Player is dealt two cards, one pocket card and one visible card. In the second round, another visible card is dealt to all Players at the table. A round of betting follows. This process continues until each player has one pocket card and four visible cards.

Caribbean Stud poker is also a 5-card poker game played with a single deck of 52 cards, where you play against the Dealer. This exciting game also features a progressive jackpot.

Video Poker takes this theme to another level. Variations of scoring come to the fore where rules covering everything from Wild Aces to Joker cards are on display. These variations are such a popular genre of games that we have a totally separate section covering video poker games.

What are the best hands in poker?

The strongest poker hand is the Royal Flush. Aces high straight flush.

Royal Flush

This is followed by the Straight Flush. Same suite, sequential, but not Aces high.

Straight Flush

Four of a Kind

Four of a Kind

Full House which is Three of a Kind plus a Pair.

Full House

Flush which is 5 cards of the suite, not sequential.

Flush

Straight which is 5 sequential cards that are not of the same suite.

Straight

Three of a Kind

Three of a Kind

Two Pair

Two Pair

One Pair

One Pair

When you have nothing, the strength of your hand is your High Card

High Card

Poker Table as seen at Party Poker
Party Poker

Recommended Poker Rooms:

Poker Room Welcome Bonus Information
Party Poker Dollar for Dollar match up to $500 on your 1st deposit.
Poker Stars $20 Match and entry into a $100 000 Freeroll.
888 Poker $88 Free and 3 tickets to the Super XL Series.
Winner Poker 250% Bonus of up to R18000 for new players.