How Online Poker Works
There are many different varieties of poker that can be played online, but the most popular is Texas Hold ‘Em, so it is important to know how it works.
First of all, Texas Hold ‘Em uses blinds instead of antes. Blinds move from player to player and increase in value as the game continues. There are two blinds in Texas Hold ‘Em, the Big Blind and the Little Blind. The player with the Big Blind must ante up the minimum bet amount and the Little Blind player must ante up half the minimum bet before cards are dealt.
Each player in a game of Texas Hold ‘Em is dealt two cards, face down. Players look at their cards, and an initial round of betting starts. Players may choose to check if the bet has not increased and they do not wish to raise, raise in order to increase the bet necessary to continue, call by equaling the current minimum bet without raising, or fold in order to forfeit their hand and any stake in the winnings for that hand (called the pot). Once all the bets of continuing players are equal, three cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is called the flop.
Another round of betting is then allowed, with a fourth card dealt face up once all bets are equal. This fourth card is called the turn.
This is followed by another round of betting, and a fifth and final card called the river. After the river, betting continues until all bets are equal and the cards are called. Whoever has the strongest five-card hand based on their own cards and those on the table, wins.
In order to play poker online, you must choose a site that you trust and sign up with them. You then download the poker software that the site uses and fund your account. This can be done with a credit card or an online e-wallet such as Click2Pay or NETeller. Once you have funded an account with a trusted poker site, you just sign in using the software and start playing poker by choosing a table to join from the poker software lobby.
Places to play
