THE ULTIMATE
POKER GUIDE

Poker can seem like a minefield to an outsider. With its need for strong strategy and decision-making, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. A classic card game that’s stood the test of time, it requires a strong nerve and poker face to battle out the opponents. We’ll help you hone your poker skills, teaching you more about the following…

  • The basic rules of poker
  • Expert tips and tricks to win
  • The lowdown on poker chips
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The world of online poker is fast and fun. It’s just as much about reading your opponents’ body language and facial cues as it is about your cards.

The Basic Rules of Poker

The Basic Rules of Poker

With the aim of the game being to have the strongest 5-card hand, the top spread is a royal flush.

  • Knowing the impact of your position. This could be the difference between staying in and folding? The later you are in the sequence, the stronger your position, so that means dealer and the player on their right. These positions give you the advantage as you’ll have more info on your opponents’ cards and their positions.
  • The odds and probabilities of hands. Knowing how likely certain hands are will give you the edge. For example, when you have four of a kind (a rarity), it’s unlikely one of your opponents can top you.
  • Know the probability of being dealt the hand you start on. This knowledge puts you on the front foot. If you know the vague likelihood of getting the top 15 starter hands, you can give yourself a huge advantage. Check the odds of an outcome based on your starter hand using online prediction tools.
  • Counting your outs. Once you’ve figured out your hand ranks and how to read the board, you can count your “outs”. Outs are promising cards still to be dealt, which you can learn more about in detailed online charts. Generally, the more outs you have, the more chances you have of winning.
The origin of the poker chip

The origin of the poker chip

In the mid-19th century, players were betting with gold nuggets and even gold dust, but it was soon clear that strict rules needed to be established.

Establishments hosting poker games came up with ivory, clay, and bone pieces, which they unsuccessfully branded to prevent rife forgery. However, in 1880 clay composite chips came in, solving the forgery issue and starting a new phase in the gambling history that remains today.

How Has Poker Evolved Over the Years?

How Has Poker Evolved Over the Years?

Poker has undergone notable changes in recent decades, largely due to Chris Moneymaker skyrocketing to fortune in a 2003 World Series Poker event. This made people realise that anything is possible and gave the industry a massive boost in popularity.

The gambling industry continues to thrive in the digital age, giving poker fans plenty of advantages. From free games to video poker to networking opportunities to 24/7 accessibility, land-based casinos really are a thing of the past.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Although it’s illegal for any online gambling site to run from New Zealand, residents can use international sites to gamble with real money.

  • Texas Hold’Em is arguably the most renowned variation of poker, but there are many more, including Omaha Hi, Seven Card Stud, Courcheval, Razz, Horse, Five Card Draw, and Badugi. Discover more poker variations this way.

  • We only recommend trustworthy online casinos where the games are controlled by random number generators (RNGs) which have been engineered to replicate the dealings of an actual card. Independent auditors ensure that the RNGs are fair and reliable.

  • Usually not, as mostly you can play on your desktop or via your mobile browser or a downloadable app. However, there might be times when gameplay can be improved with game-specific software.

  • Check out our online poker casino reviews. We will only ever recommend sites which are trustworthy, secure and worth player time.