Top-Rated Online Casinos for Playing Real Money Poker in 2023

Which Wagering Options Do You Have at Your Disposal? With all of the different real money online poker wagering options, this is an important section of the guide. Below are all of the basic wagering options available to you, which are common to most online poker variants. Learn the fundamentals and you will be able to play most games with ease.

• Placing the First Wager: No matter which online poker variant you choose to play, your betting round starts with placing a wager. Different poker games have different betting limits and you should familiarize yourself with the betting limits of the game you are placing before you place your wager. Once the very first wager has been placed, players at the table examine their cards and they have two options, to call the wager or fold if they are not overly confident about their cards.
• The Option to Raise the Stake: In real money online poker, it is also possible to increase the current open bet or raise. When the stake has been raised, players seated at the table must at least match the current stake to remain in the game. You choose to raise when you have a strong poker hand you think can win.
• You Can Also Fold: There is also the folding option which nobody likes but folding is sometimes the best option when you do not have strong cards that can compete with other poker hands. When you choose to take this route, you leave the betting round and gaming is over for you, at least for the current round. You can bounce back in the next betting round with a stronger poker hand.
• The Option to Check: The option to check is available when the pot has not been raised by anyone seated at the table. If you decide to go with this option when available, you remain in the game and the pot remains the same. This is a great option if you have a decent poker hand but you do not want to raise the stake and you do not want to fold.
• You Can Also Call: To have a guaranteed stay in the betting round, you can call at the start of each betting round. In other words, to call means matching the currently placed bet. A 'call' is simply an existing bet from a 'bet' or 'raise' in the current betting round.

The betting options discussed above are shared among all different real money poker games, so learn these, and you are good to explore different online poker winning strategies which we discuss in the sections that follow. 

We have a couple of simple, yet very effective online poker winning strategies and tips that work for all the different real money poker variants.

Bankroll Management

Aside from the game itself, bankroll management is one of the most valuable tools a player can have. You cannot expect to win every single time even if you have years and years of playing the game behind you. With this being said, you need to be mindful of your budget at all times, unless you have an infinite supply of funds, which is not a reality for most poker players. To stay on the right track, always start your gaming sessions with a set budget and stick to it.

Choose Your Game Wisely

The game type is also an important consideration. To increase your overall winning percentage when playing poker, you must make wise decisions. Essentially, you should spend some time researching various real money poker variants, their betting options, and overall winning odds. If a game does not suit your playing style, you have many other options to choose from, and you should not be afraid to try them.

Find Your Playing Style 

You should also not be afraid to experiment with different playing styles in order to find the one that best suits your gaming needs and, of course, your budget. Many players prefer a more aggressive playing style, and this is something to consider. If you are just getting started with real money online poker, we recommend starting with smaller stakes to ensure your bankroll lasts longer.

Have the Best Table Position

You also want to get the best seat at the table because your seating can change the entire course of the game for you. The final position is the best because you get to learn more about your opponents and use this knowledge to your advantage later in the game. You should also take advantage of poker freerolls whenever possible to put your gaming skills to the test in less risky gambling environments.

Poker Hand Rankings System - To understand the fundamentals of real money online poker games, we must first examine the poker hand rankings system. All poker hands are discussed below, and keep in mind that the rankings system shown below is shared by all real money poker games.

• Royal Flush: This is the strongest poker hand you can have and it consists of an A - K - Q - J – 10. The cards are all in the same suit and the same color.
• Straight Flush: In a Straight Flush, there are five cards featured in the same sequence. All of the cards are also of the same suit, such as Q - J - 10 - 9 – 8.
• Four of a Kind: As expected, a Four of a Kind features four same ranked-cards, such as J - J - J - J – 3. The cards do not have to be of the same color.
• Full House: A Full House comprises a pair and three of a kind, such as J - J - 6 - 6 – 6. The cards do not have to be of the same color or the same suit.
• Flush: If you have a Flush then you have five random cards that have the same suite, such as J - 10 - 4 - 6 – 3. The cards do not have to be in a sequence.
• Straight: A Straight consists of five sequenced cards, such as 2 – 3 – 4 - 5 – 6. The cards do not have to be of the same suit but they have to be in a sequence.
• Three of a Kind: Three of a Kind poker hands consist of three same-ranked cards, such as 8 – 8 – 8 – 2 – A. They have to be of the same rank but do not have to be of the same color or suit.
• Two Pair: Two Pair hands feature two cards of one rank and two or another, such as 8 – 8 – A – A – 2. They do not have to be of the same color.
• Pair: Having a Pair means having two cards of the same rank, such as A – A – 3 – 9 – Q. They do not have to be of the same color or suit.

Below, we take a look at the biggest benefits of playing poker online when compared to playing the game at land-based casinos and there are a couple of perks and benefits to discuss.

The Availability of Bonuses and Promotions: While you may be offered bonuses of certain kinds when playing at a land-based casino, the generosity of land-based gambling venues cannot compare with the generosity of online casinos and this is one of the biggest benefits of playing online poker. Many of the top-rated online poker sites and online casinos have bonuses specifically crafted for poker fans, so you can easily increase your bankroll.

Huge Array of Games: As you may be aware, land-based casinos have limited floor space, and the selection of games at these establishments cannot compete with that of online sites. This should come as no surprise given that online casinos have virtually no space constraints. There are numerous different online poker games to explore at online casinos, and you will undoubtedly find your ideal game.

Greater Convenience: This one relates to other amazing benefits of playing the game of poker online and that is greater convenience. With online poker, you can engage in exciting gaming sessions any time of the day, even when you are on the go if you have a mobile device that is connected to the Internet. If you value convenience, there is nothing better than playing poker online from the comfort of your own home.

Play as Many Games as You Want at the Same Time: While this is not something we recommend you have the option of participating in multiple real money online poker gaming sessions at the same time. The best part is that online poker gaming sessions move quickly because there is no waiting for other players to make decisions.