Prepare yourself for a wild ride of fun and excitement by trying various casino games at Livecasino. Among the vast selection of choices here, one that reigns supreme is poker, a thrilling game of cards that is a go-to for most players on our site. So what are you waiting for? Play poker online casino now and take charge of your fate by going all-in:
Poker 101: All the things you need to know before playing
Poker is known as one of the most popular casino games in the world with several variants such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi, making each one different in design and features. It’s an exciting game that involves more than testing your luck but also exhibiting your skills. Kickstart the fun by diving into the various intricacies of poker here:
A brief history of poker
Known all over the globe as a thrilling card game, poker has stood the test of time with its invigorating gameplay that challenges your wits to the fullest. Its origins are a debate among most historians as they believe that it dates back to over 1,000 years ago. Some argue that it started from a domino-card game that was played by a Chinese emperor during the 10th century.
Meanwhile, others claim that it was a descendant of the Persian card game ‘As Nas’ which was from the 16th century. On the other hand, the closest game that is similar to poker is the European variation called Poque which was popular in France in the 17th century. This game was inspired by the Spanish game primero which involved dealing three cards to each player and bluffing as a way to win the match.
Since French colonists brought Poque to North America, this paved the way for the game to become popular all over the continent. English-speaking locals changed the name of Poque to poker, turning it into the modern game that you know today.
Rules in poker
Although there are a few variants of poker, it essentially involves five cards being dealt to each player and a standard deck of 52 cards. This is fit for 2 to 14 participants but commonly, the figures reach only around 6 to 8 people. The goal of the game is to win the pot where all the bets are placed. To do this, you need to have the highest-ranking poker hand.
What are the four stages in a poker game?
Each round of a live dealer poker game involves using the whole deck with a standard number of 52 cards. This game requires each player to do a certain action such as bet, call, raise or fold. Before the game begins, all participants are tasked to place an Ante bet. Then the next stages of the game continue which are namely:
- Pre-flop: This is when all players are dealt two cards that are faced down.
- Flop: It’s when the first three community cards are dealt face up and placed in the centre of the table.
- Turn: This is when the fourth community card is unveiled in the middle of the table.
- River: It’s the last stage of the game when the fifth community card is dealt and placed in the middle.
Different poker hands ranking
Land on the different winning combinations in poker by learning all the poker hands ranked on a descending order below:
Five of a Kind
It’s a combination of cards with the same rank and a wild card such as a joker and deuce. This is the highest possible hand in poker and rarely occurs in most games. An example of this is a hand with four 10s and a wild card.
Straight Flush
It’s a combination of cards with the same rank and a wild card such as a joker and deuce. This is the highest possible hand in poker and rarely occurs in most games. An example of this is a hand with four 10s and a wild card.
Four of a Kind
Ranking below the straight flush is four of the kind, the next highest hand. This has four cards of the same rank such as four aces or four 3s.
Full House
Known as the most colourful hand, the full house includes three cards of one rank a
Flush
It’s a set of five cards of the same suit in no consecutive order. For example, Q, 10, 7, 6 and 2 of diamonds.
Straight
This refers to five cards that are in sequence but not necessarily of the same suit which is opposite to a flush. For example, you have 9 hearts, 8 spades, 7 diamonds, 6 clubs and 5 diamonds.
Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind: It’s a combination made up of three cards of the same rank and two cards of different ranks. Some examples are three jacks, three 4s and three 7s.
Two Pairs
It’s a type of hand where you have a pair of the same rank, another pair of a different rank and a fifth card of a whole different rank. An example of this is J, J, 8, 8 and 4.
One Pair
This is one of the most common combinations in poker where you only have one pair of the same rank while the other three cards are of a different rank. For example, 10, 10, Q, 4 and 3.
High Card
It’s a hand with no pairs or cards that are of the same rank or suit. When more than one player has no pair, the winner is determined by who has the highest card among them. For example, if you have an ace, then you beat the person who has a king as their high card.
Basic poker terms
Familiarize yourself with the basic poker terms to better understand the game and learn how it works:
Action: Every player is tasked to choose a certain ‘action’ during a game like Check, Bet, Call, Fold or Raise. This usually involves placing bets and increasing the wagers.
All-in: A kind of bet where you place all your chips in the pot.
Ante: This refers to the bet required from all players before a hand is dealt.
Blind: It’s the umbrella term for both the big and small blinds placed before the hole cards are seen, thus the term ‘blinds’. These are forced bets required from two players before the cards are dealt.
Call: This is when you bet the same amount as the most recent wagers to continue playing the game.
Check: It’s a certain action in poker where you pass on betting.
Community cards: It’s a set of cards dealt face up and placed in the centre of the table to be shared by all players.
Dealer: This is the person who shuffles the deck and deals the cards in a poker game.
Fold: It’s where you give up on your cards, thinking that it’s too weak to win against other players.
Pair: These are two cards of the same rank.
Pot: This refers to the total amount of wagers placed by all players. After every round of betting, the collected stakes are placed in the pot until the game ends.
Raise: This means to wager more than the required minimum amount to call. In turn, this pushes the others to put in more money too.
Line-up of poker games at Livecasino
Play poker online casino for a thrilling round of fun and surprises that will leave you gripping your seats in excitement! Explore the plethora of poker games found here at Livecasino:
In Between Poker
Brace yourself for a rousing challenge by playing OneTouch’s In Between Poker at Livecasino. It’s a riveting game where your task is to wager in the Main Bet and Poker Side Bet to kick off the fun. After placing your stakes, push the deal button and anticipate the game to begin!
The game begins with three cards dealt face up and the fourth one dealt face down. This fourth card is going to be placed between the first two cards. If your fourth card is higher than all the other cards in the square, you win the game. Once this happens, you get a payout of 2 to 1. Try your luck now by visiting Livecasino!
Texas Hold’em Poker High Roller
Released by OneTouch, Texas Hold’Em Poker High Roller is a classic poker game that is loved by most casino players. It involves a single 52-card deck and follows the same rules as other live dealer poker games. Place an Ante bet first so that the cards will be dealt. Then, the next stages will commence which includes the Flop, Turn and River. Dare yourself to come up with unique strategies to gain victory in the game and pray that Lady Luck will be on your side.
High Hand Holdem Poker High
High Hand Holdem Poker High is another stellar creation by OneTouch that uses the standard deck of 52 cards. Similar to the Texas Hold’em, you are required to place an Ante bet to begin this game. You also have the freedom to put a Bonus bet if you want.
Once that’s done, two hole cards are dealt face up to you but another two are faced down to the dealer. Choose whether you want to fold or make a Flop bet to continue on the game. Take note that the Flop wager should be twice as big as the Ante stake. Uncover more about this poker game by playing it in Fun Mode at Livecasino.
Turbo Poker
Do something outside of your comfort zone in Wazdan’s Turbo Poker. It’s a quick game that involves a different set of prizes for every hand value such as the Royal Flush, Straight Flush and Four of a Kind to name a few.
Playing this game entails working with a set of five cards and seeing if it has the winning combination or not. Every new game means placing a new bet. Gain the top prize by putting your luck to the test and checking if your hand has the highest cards on them. Know more about how to play this poker game here.
Tips and tricks to win in in poker
Although poker heavily depends on your skills, this can still be tweaked to your advantage by applying the following tips and tricks:
Master all the rules of the game
Before playing a round of poker, you must understand all the rules of the game. This lets you know what to expect during the match and refrains you from getting confused as the various stages of the tournament unfold. Familiarize yourself with the necessary mechanics in poker and use this knowledge to the fullest once you start playing.
Develop a strategy that works best for you
Keep in mind that poker is not merely a game of chance, it’s also a test of your capabilities to come up with strategies that work well against all odds. Experiment with different tactics and see which style suits you best. For example, develop a plan on when is the right time for you to call, bet or fold.
Know when to fold
Most people have this misconception that choosing to fold entails giving up too easily. On the contrary, it’s a wise move especially when you think that your cards are not part of the high ranks. As a result, you will have lower losses in the long run.
Call the shots and have fun at Livecasino!
Play online poker casino now at Livecasino for an exciting ride like you’ve never experienced before. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, savour each moment of the game and see it through till the end. Unveil more about poker and the best ways to win by dropping by Livecasino’s website.