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If there is a game that's synonymous with card and casino games, it is poker. Most people say poker games are easy to learn and difficult to master. However, two things can help you out here. One is understanding poker games thoroughly. The second is to practice and then practice some more. After all, practice makes you perfect.
And don't worry. We are here to make it super easy for you. From walking you through all the poker rules to helping you understand the poker variations, we want to ensure you grasp the basics of free online poker games.
Once that's out of the way, you can fine-tune your skills and develop your own strategies that let you ace the game every time you pick the cards. So, without any delay, let's get started.
What is Poker?
Poker is a card game that needs a blend of skill and strategy. Played with a standard card deck, the game requires proper strategy, bluffing, and psychological insight. In this game, players bet based on the strength of their hand to win chips or money from opponents. Today, various forms of poker exist, each with its own rules and nuances. It can be played both online and offline. It is played with two or more players, and the objective is to win the pot.
A few examples of a great hand in Poker include 4 aces and a joker (the royal flush), 7-8-9-10-J of the same suit, etc. Generally, you win the game if your cards are better than your opponents'.
But remember, there is no one-size-fits-all rule. Poker rules always depend on the specific game type, such as Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
History of Poker Game
Poker is not merely a popular card game; it has gone through a fascinating journey through time. The origins of this game date back to the 19th century in the US.
We don't know exactly when the game started; the details are somewhat murky. However, it is believed that poker games came from various European card games, such as "poque" in France and "primero" in Spain.
Poker games were well-known during the 1800s along the Mississippi River region, particularly on steamboats and in salons. In fact, its allure grew during the gold rush in the mid-1800s. It became a means of entertainment and a way to pass the time between mining expeditions.
It is said that even during the Civil War, soldiers on both sides engaged in Poker games during downtime. By the 20th century, poker evolved with community card games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha. However, it was in 1970 when poker finally got its due with the establishment of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. It is now a competitive and televised sport. Today, you can even enjoy free poker games online.
How To Play Poker: Poker Rules
Now comes the real question; how to play poker? Whether you choose to play free online poker or an offline game, the main rules remain the same. This game can be played between two to ten players.
Playing poker games online requires a mix of strategy and skill. Here, you must learn to read opponents, calculate odds, and master the art of bluffing. The winner is declared after the showdown. These are the poker rules for Texas Hold'em:
Poker players start the game by posting forced bets called the small and big blinds to start the betting.
Each player is dealt two private cards.
Starting to the left of the big blind, players decide whether to fold, call, or raise.
Three community cards, known as the flop, are dealt face-up. You build your hand using the flop cards.
Players can check, bet, call, raise, or fold, starting with the player to the dealer's left.
Next, a fourth community card is dealt.
Another round of betting occurs.
The fifth and final community card is revealed.
The last round of betting takes place.
A showdown occurs if more than one player remains after the final betting round.
Players reveal their hands, and the best hand wins.
The best hand is determined based on poker hand rankings. It can include a combination of hole cards and community cards.
The player with the best hand wins the pot, which consists of all the bets made during the hand.
A new hand begins with the players to the left of the dealer posting blinds.
How To Create the Best Five-Card Hand?
When you start playing the free poker games, you are dealt with two-hole cards, and the community cards are placed on the table. Creating the best five-card hand depends on the cards you have received. Try to create your hand based on the strongest poker hands in the hand rankings chart.
The highest-ranking hands, such as a royal flush or a straight flush, are the most desirable cards in both offline and online poker games because they help you win. You can also create combinations like pairs, three-of-a-kind, straights, flushes, and more.
The Card Deck Used For Poker
When you play poker online or offline, you need a standard 52-card deck. One or two jokers may also be used depending on the game. The standard deck has four suits, which include hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. Each suit comes with 13 cards, ranging from Ace to King.
In poker, the suits hold no hierarchical significance. All of them are equal. This is true even for free online poker games. However, the number of decks can vary depending on the poker variant played and the house rules.
For example, standard Texas Hold 'em and Omaha games commonly use a single deck. Multiple decks may be shuffled together in other poker variations, such as casino-style blackjack poker or certain home games.
When Do You Use Poker Chips?
Poker chips are used in both online poker games and in the casino. Instead of using real money, players use chips to place bets and raise the stakes during betting rounds. Each chip denomination represents a specific value that makes the betting process simpler.
Also, forced bets are called blinds in many poker games, especially in Texas Hold'em and Omaha. These are represented by placing poker chips in the pot before the hand begins. Antes are another form of forced bets in some games and are also often collected in chip form.
Poker Variants
Now, let's take a look at the top free poker game variants!
Texas Hold'em
The first one on our list is also one of the most popular online poker games - Texas Hold'em. When you play Texas Hold'em, each player is dealt two private cards and uses five community cards to make the best poker hand.
Omaha
Omaha is another popular poker game that is quite similar to Texas Hold'em. However, here players receive four-hole cards and must use exactly two of them in combination with three of the five community cards.
Seven-Card Stud
The name says it all. In this poker game online, players are dealt seven cards, three face-down and four face-up. It is a popular home game and is also played in tournaments. Betting rounds occur between each deal.
Five-Card Draw
Here, players are dealt five hole cards and can exchange some or all of them for new ones to improve their poker hands.
2-7 Triple Draw
This is a lowball game, which means the goal is to have the lowest hand possible with three draws to improve the hand. For example, 2-3-4-5-7 with no flush but the same suit is a low hand.
Chinese Poker
When it comes to Chinese poker, you receive 13 cards. They must be arranged into three poker hands: two five-card poker hands and one three-card hand.
Pineapple Poker
Pineapple poker is a popular variant similar to Texas Hold'em. Here, players receive three hole cards and must discard one before the flop.
Omaha Hi/Lo
This is a variant of Omaha where the pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand.
Badugi
Badugi is again a lowball game with the goal of having the lowest four-card hand. But they must not be of the same suit. Example, 2♠ 4♦ 6♥ 8♣.
Poker Hands Ranking
Before you start playing poker games, you must know all the poker hands and their rankings. Understanding them is crucial to winning poker games online.
Royal Flush
A royal flush is a sequence of the highest cards of the same suit, such as A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠. You need five cards to form a royal flush.
Straight Flush
Five cards in a sequence and of the same suit form a straight flush. Example 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠.
Four of a Kind or Quads
As the name suggests, you need four cards of the same rank but not the same suit for this poker hand. For example, 8♠ 8♣ 8♦ 8♥.
Full House
Full House is one of the popular hands where three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank come together. Example of full house: 7♠ 7♣ 7♦ 2♠ 2♣.
Flush
A flush is when you have five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Straight
Five cards in a sequence but different suits like 5♠ 6♣ 7♦ 8♠ 9♥ is known as straight.
Three of a Kind or Trips or Sets
Three cards of the same rank, such as 4♠ 4♣ 4♦ form trips.
Two Pair
Two sets of pairs, such as 6♠ 6♣ 9♠ 9♦ form a two-pair hand.
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank, like 10♠ 10♣ make a one-pair poker hand.
High Card
If no player has any of the above hands, the winner is determined by a high card. The one with the highest card in one's hand is declared the winner.
Common Poker Terminologies You Must Know:
When playing poker games online, knowing the common poker terminologies and their meaning is important. Take a look!
Blinds
Blinds mean forced bets placed before the start of each hand. Blinds is usually a part of Hold'em and Omaha.
Ante
Ante is a term used for betting. It is a forced bet that every player must make before the hand begins. This is mostly used in stud games and some tournaments.
Hole Cards
Hole cards are the private face-down cards that are dealt to each player as soon as the game begins. They are not revealed to other players.
Flop
In community card games, the first three face-up cards dealt simultaneously are known as flops.
Turn
Turn is the fourth community card in games like Hold'em and Omaha.
River
The fifth and final community card in Texas Hold'em and Omaha is known as a river.
Showdown
In the final phase, the remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
All-In
All-in refers to betting all of your chips in a single hand. You must be careful when you play this kind of betting in online poker games.
Check
Check means declining to bet when it's your turn. You can only check if no one else has bet.
Raise
Raise is nothing but increasing the current bet in a betting round.
Call
Matching the current bet to stay in the hand is called a call.
Fold
Fold means discarding your hand and forfeiting any bets made, conceding the current hand. If you are unsure about the game, you can fold. However, once you fold, you cannot re-enter the current round.
Pot
The total amount of chips or money at the center of the table is known as pot. The winner of the game gets the pot.
Tips For Winning Online Poker Game
When it comes to playing free poker games, you must ensure the odds are on your side. Therefore, you must develop the necessary skills to help you out. Look at the best tips to help you succeed and win the next game.
Understand The Game
Before you start playing poker online, quickly understand the game. Sometimes, the rules may slightly differ from one variant to another. So, a solid understanding of poker rules, hand rankings, and different variants, before you play, can help you out.
Know When To Fold
If the odds are against you in the poker games, fold. This is a crucial tip to embrace when playing poker online. For instance, if you see you have a weak hand, which doesn't seem to improve with the community cards or flop cards, don't take unnecessary risks.
Start Small
If you are new to the poker games, start small. Begin with lower-stakes games and place a small bet. It helps you build your skills and confidence without risking significant amounts.
Position Awareness
Pay attention to your position at the table in online poker. Playing more conservatively in early positions and more aggressively in later positions can benefit you.
Practice Well
If you want to play poker well, it is essential to practice rigorously. You can download the free poker app and play every day. It also helps you understand the nuances of betting, fold, and more. You can also watch video tutorials to learn from famous players and embrace their strategies.
