TOPBOSS GROUP GUIDE
Online Poker: Rooms, Games and How to Play
Popular games, hand rankings, tournaments and tips for choosing a poker room
Playing Poker Online
Online poker is a favourite pastime for card players around the world. You get the convenience of playing from home, and the thrill of competing against real people instead of a machine.
The online game copies the traditional poker experience. You sit at a virtual table, watch the seats fill and use the chat box to talk with other players, just as you would in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Topboss Group focuses mainly on online casinos, because poker is not our core area. We know that poker remains hugely popular, though. That is why we have put together a list of the Top 20 Online Poker Rooms, rated on what professional players say about them.
Whether you want to spin slots or stack chips, we want you to find a site that is safe, fair and fun.
| Poker format | How it works |
|---|---|
| Cash games | Play with real chips, and leave the table when you like |
| Tournaments | Pay a fixed buy-in and play until one player has all the chips |
| Sit and Gos | Small tournaments that start when the seats are full |
| Fast-fold poker | You move to a new table as soon as you fold |
Popular Poker Games
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game online and in live rooms. Each player gets two private cards, and five shared cards appear on the table. You make your best five-card hand from the seven available.
- Texas Hold’em: the classic game, and the best starting point.
- Omaha: similar to Hold’em, but each player gets four private cards and must use two of them.
- Seven-card stud: there are no shared cards, and each player builds a hand from seven personal cards.
- Razz: a lowball version of stud. Learn the rules in our guide on how to play Razz poker.
Casino versions of poker are different. In games such as Caribbean Stud, you play against the house, not other players. Our page on video poker covers the single-player machine version.
Poker Hand Rankings
Every poker player needs to know the hands. From the strongest to the weakest, they are:
- Royal flush
- Straight flush
- Four of a kind
- Full house
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Two pair
- One pair
- High card
Memorise this list before you sit at a real-money table. Most online rooms also show it on screen during play.
Cash Games or Tournaments?
The two formats suit different players. In a cash game, your chips are worth real money, and you can leave at any time. In a tournament, you pay a buy-in and receive tournament chips. You play until you are knocked out or you win.
Tournaments let you risk a small, fixed amount for a chance at a large prize. That makes them a good choice for beginners. Our article on folding aces in tournament poker shows how even strong hands can be tricky. Many casinos also run poker tournaments, as we explain in our guide to casinos that offer poker games.
Tips for New Online Poker Players
- Start with low stakes while you learn.
- Play fewer hands, and fold weak starting cards.
- Watch how others play before you join a table.
- Keep your bankroll separate from your everyday money.
- Take breaks, because long sessions lead to mistakes.
- Be polite in the chat, as you would at a live table.
Poker also has a lot of myths. Our article on common poker myths clears up some of the most popular ones. For inspiration, read about Doyle Brunson, one of the game’s legends.
How to Choose a Poker Room
Not every poker room is a good fit. Check the following before you register.
- Licence: the site should hold a valid licence for your country.
- Player traffic: busy rooms mean more tables at your stake level.
- Rake and fees: the rake is the commission the room takes from each pot.
- Security: look for fair-play checks and protections against collusion.
- Payments: make sure deposits and withdrawals are easy.
Rooms come and go. Some well-known brands have closed, for example, as we describe in our article on the Titan Poker closure. Before you deposit, read our casino safety guide.
Recommended Online Poker Room
Guts Poker
Guts Poker is the poker room from Guts Casino. Check the current promotions and rakeback terms on the Guts Poker site before you play.
Play Poker Responsibly
Poker involves skill, but luck still plays a big part. Set a budget, take regular breaks and never chase losses. Our responsible gambling page lists tools and support. You must be of legal gambling age in your country to play for real money. Our gambling glossary explains poker terms such as rake and bankroll.
Did You Know?
- In a standard deck of cards, the King of Hearts is the only king without a moustache.
Comments are closed.