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NOVEMBER 2024

Online Poker - From Rookies to Card Sharks: Your Complete Guide

Aussie Poker Guide: BETO's Expert Tips for 2022 Wins


Online Poker Guide by BETO's Ace Poker Expert

Aussie Poker Guide: BETO's Expert Tips for 2022 Wins

Written by: Kim Birch | The review was last updated: 03 July 2024 | Fact-check by: Jasmin Williams

CERTIFIED EXPERT CERTIFIED EXPERT
Kim Birch has battled against the best poker pros around the world. As an expert in poker and blackjack, Kim's also penned 3 books. About Kim Birch

I'm Kim Birch, a poker pro with over two decades of experience. Since 2002, I've been playing Texas Hold'em No-Limit online poker professionally. I've penned a couple of books and written for Tipsbladet as a poker expert.

Poker, especially Texas Holdem, has always been a crowd-pleaser. It's the game you'd see outlaws playing in old westerns, either bluffing or cheating their way through.

These days, millions are wagered weekly, with matches broadcast on telly and streamed from top live casinos worldwide.

There are poker tourneys galore, including World Cup battles. The European Championships draw punters in droves, and the best players have reached near-celebrity status.
Poker's evolving rapidly. Everyone from uni students to CEOs is keen on online poker, either to sharpen their skills or, like me, chase the dream of making a living from it. I've had a good run, but I often see new players making the same mistakes I did, copping expensive lessons they can't afford.

Just like with my book "Online Poker", I want to give everyone a fair go with this poker guide. My aim is to help punters progress from novice to master in this ripper card game that I've been lucky enough to call my job for over a decade.

This Texas Poker section on BETO offers practical tips, tricks, and strategies for online poker that'll boost your odds of winning more than you lose.

Learn to dominate poker and do it with style.

Play Pokies Online - Free / Bonus poker tips for your next game

Play Pokies Online - Free / Bonus poker tips for your next game

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Aussie's Guide to Online Poker Play

Online poker, especially Texas Holdem NL, has taken off in Australia and worldwide. Heaps of people are ditching home games with mates for online poker tournaments and cash games available round the clock.

Bored on a Wednesday arvo and your partner or friends are busy? No worries. Jump online where over a million punters are ready to play poker for casino cash.

These online setups are called poker rooms. You'll need to download software or grab an app, then sign up with your details. No need to chuck in real money straight away. It's smart to start with 'play money' games against other players - think of it as online Monopoly cash.

For free apps and poker sites that focus on play money games or have solid free features, check out:

  • Pokerstars (poker room).
  • Governor of Poker 3 (all platforms).
  • Zynga Poker (Facebook)
  • WSOP - World Series of PokerApp (iOS, Android).
  • Pokerist (iOS, Android).

But let's be real - play money games aren't the same as real poker. People always play differently when there's skin in the game. When you reckon you're ready for real money online poker, there are stacks of options, even for small stakes.

Online poker's got heaps of choices, but most punters love money tournaments. They're open to everyone, which is a big draw. Just make sure you know the poker rules before putting real cash on the line. It's also a top idea to practice with play money to get the hang of the app or software.

Use free online poker to learn the ropes - checking, betting, raising, and folding. You can pick up all this in play money games. Keep in mind that sometimes everything's in English, so brush up on your poker lingo before challenging others online.

The biggest mistake new online poker players make is diving straight into money tournaments. Many get a rude shock when their online games don't stack up to last week's friendly game where they cleaned up.

I've seen it loads of times: people losing hand after hand, confused about what they're doing wrong. A poker tip that could've saved me a packet in online poker? Watch heaps of tournaments before even sitting at an online table.

Most online poker rooms let you spectate ongoing tournaments and games without playing. It's good practice to guess what different players have while watching.

This simple exercise can save you money and help you realise that online players have different tells than what you're used to on telly or playing with mates.

Next step? Get to know the poker rules better and study up on poker odds and other info to boost your game.

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Master Poker Down Under - Texas Hold'em Basics

Texas Hold'em is hands down the most popular poker variant in Australia and globally, both online and at the local pub. It's the main event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where the top player can pocket a cool $10 million.

If you're keen to learn the ropes, I've broken down the rules for this variant in this article.

The rules aren't too tricky, and the game's pretty straightforward. As they say in the poker world, Hold'em is a cinch to learn but a challenge to master!

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Pokies players at the table and card rules in Online Poker

In poker, whether you're playing online or at the local RSL, you'll find up to 10 punters at a table. Kicking off the game, each player cops two cards that are kept secret from the rest of the table. These personal cards are known as "Hole" or "Pocket" cards.

The next five cards are laid out face-up in the middle of the table for all to see. These shared cards are called the "board" or "community" cards.

Using a mix of their hole cards and the community cards, each player's job is to cobble together the best possible five-card hand. It's up to you which combo you reckon is tops, but remember, you can only use your own hole cards and what's on the board.

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Aussie Rules for Buttons and Blinds in Online Poker

Pokie play games - pokerstars tourneys - bonus promos

Pokie play games - pokerstars tourneys - bonus promos

In online poker, the 'button' marks the theoretical dealer's position. The player with the button acts last in each round. After a hand wraps up, the button moves to the next player on the left.

Before the cards are dealt, two players must place 'blind bets'. These are called 'blinds' because the players bet without seeing their cards.

The player to the left of the button gets their cards first and must post the small blind.

Each player at the table then receives two hole cards, starting with the small blind. The player to the left of the small blind must then post the big blind. The small blind is typically half the big blind. For example, if the big blind is $2, the small blind would be $1.

Online pokie punting

Online pokie punting

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Aussie Poker Punting Guide

At the poker table, all players need to chuck in their bets before the next card's revealed. If no one's raised the stakes, you can opt to 'check' when it's your shout, meaning you pass without putting any money down. After you check, it's the next bloke's turn to make a move.

Basically, if you've got as much dosh in the pot as everyone else, you can check. If no one's keen on betting, everyone gets to see the next card without spending a cent.

When it's your go and others have been throwing cash around, you've got a few options. If you reckon your hand's rubbish, you can 'fold' and bow out of the round without coughing up any more cash.

But if you fancy your chances, you can 'call' by matching the bet, putting in the same amount as the other punters. Just remember, the round doesn't wrap up until everyone's either matched the bet, folded, or gone all-in.

Pokie punter

Pokie punter

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Betting rounds and raises in Aussie online poker

If you reckon you've got a shot with your hand, or you're keen to psych out the other players into folding, you can bump up the bet - that's called 'raising'.

In no-limit poker, which is the most popular version, you can chuck in your entire stack - that's going 'all in'. The other punters at the virtual table then have to match your bet or risk their whole stack. If they can't or won't, they're out of the round and have to fold.

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Aussie's roadmap to mastering No Limit Holdem poker

  1. Dealer hands out two cards to each punter. (hole cards)
  2. First round of betting kicks off.
  3. Dealer reveals three community cards on the table (the flop).
  4. Second round of betting begins.
  5. Dealer turns over one more card (the turn).
  6. Third round of betting commences.
  7. Final community card is revealed (the river).
  8. Fourth and last betting round takes place.
  9. The showdown wraps it up.

At the showdown, remaining players need to sort out their best poker hand. They've got to pick five cards using their two hole cards and the five community cards on the table.

It's all about making the strongest combo possible from those seven cards. Pretty straightforward, but it can get intense when the stakes are high.

Ace online poker in Oz

Ace online poker in Oz

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Ace Your Online Poker - Poker Hands

To come out on top in online poker, you've gotta have a solid hand and know which combos pack the most punch. That's why getting familiar with poker hands in Holdem is crucial. You don't want to be constantly checking the rules while you're playing - it'll throw you off your game and mess with your focus.

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Poker Hands - Aussie Online Poker Guide

Aussie poker hand rankings guide

Aussie poker hand rankings guide

Royal Flush - The cream of the crop in poker. It's a hand with an ace, king, queen, jack and 10, all in the same suit. This unbeatable combo is also known as an Ace High Straight Flush, and it's the holy grail for any serious punter at the table.

Royal flush in online poker games

Royal flush in online poker games

Straight Flush - In online poker, a straight flush is the second-best hand you can land. To score this ripper, you need 5 cards of the same suit in sequential order (like hearts 8,7,6,5,4). Just like a regular straight, the ace can play low, so 5,4,3,2,Ace counts too. It's a rare beauty that'll have other punters at the table sweating.

Straight Flush in No Limit Texas Hold

Straight Flush in No Limit Texas Hold'em

Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank (like four aces or four sevens). In online poker, if multiple players hit this hand, the one with the highest-ranked quads takes the pot. It's a rare but powerful combo that'll have you grinning from ear to ear.

Quads in poker: A true-blue hand

Quads in poker: A true-blue hand

Full house - A full house is when you've got three of a kind plus a pair. Picture this: three 3s and two kings. If multiple players are sitting on full houses, the one with the highest three-of-a-kind takes the pot.

Full house: a ripper poker hand in online pokies

Full house: a ripper poker hand in online pokies

Flush - A flush happens when you've got five cards of the same suit. Think five hearts or five spades. If multiple punters land a flush, the one with the highest card takes the pot. For instance, an ace-high clubs flush beats a king-high flush.

Flush in no limit texas hold

Flush in no limit texas hold'em

Straight - In poker, a straight is five cards in sequence, regardless of suit. The ace can play as high or low, but not both at once. For example, you can't use K, A, 2, 3, 4 as a straight.

When multiple players have straights, the one with the highest card takes the pot. It's a solid hand that can give you a decent shot at winning, especially in games like Texas Hold'em.

Straight: A top-notch hand in Aussie poker

Straight: A top-notch hand in Aussie poker

Three of a Kind - Three matching cards (like three queens). Also known as a set. If multiple players have three of a kind, the highest-ranked set takes the pot.

Three of a Kind in Online Pokies

Three of a Kind in Online Pokies

Two Pair - Picture this: you've got two pairs, like nines and fives. When multiple punters land on two pair, the one with the highest pair takes the pot. It's a common hand in poker, but don't get too cocky - there's always a chance someone's holding something better.

Mastering two pairs in poker: Aussie tips and tricks

Mastering two pairs in poker: Aussie tips and tricks

Pair - In poker, a pair refers to two cards of the same rank, like two aces. When multiple players hold the same pair, the pot is typically split evenly between them. It's a common occurrence in many poker variants played across Aussie casinos and online platforms.

Aussies know this game

Aussies know this game's famous for dishing out pairs.

High Card - When no other combos are on the table, the punter holding the highest card takes the pot. If multiple players share the top community card, the second-highest card becomes the decider.

High card: the ace up your sleeve for a cheeky bluff.

High card: the ace up your sleeve for a cheeky bluff.

Often, multiple players end up with the same poker hand. When this happens, the highest card not shared by everyone (known as the kicker) determines who takes the pot at the table.

If the kickers are also identical, the pot is split evenly between those players. It's not uncommon to see this in Aussie poker rooms, both online and in person.

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Pokie Parlance: Aussie Style

When you're playing Hold'em or any poker game, you'll hear a lot of Poker Lingo. Online, both players and the poker room use heaps of clever poker terms. If you don't know these, you'll stick out like a sore thumb as a newbie.

So, I've put together a list of the most common poker terms to help those just starting out with online poker sound like old hands.

Allin

Betting all your chips on the current pot.

Big Blind

The larger of the two forced bets at the start of a hand.

Big Slick

Starting hand of Ace, King.

Blinded out

When the blinds force you to bet your last chips.

Boat

Another name for a full house.

Buying the pot

Trying to win the pot with a large bet.

Chasing

Needing just one card to complete a hand.

First position

The player who acts first in a round.

Feeler bet

A small bet to gauge other players' hands.

Heads Up

When only two players remain at the table.

Hooks

Starting with a pair of Jacks.

Maniac

A reckless punter who constantly bets big.

Outs

The cards left that could win you the pot.

Pot Committed

Staying in because you've already invested too much.

Rockets

The top starting hand - a pair of Aces.

The Nuts

Having the best possible hand for the current board.

Poker tips from Aussie Aces

Poker tips from Aussie Aces

When I first dipped my toes into online poker, I made a rookie mistake: backing the wrong hands. I'd chuck money at cards with barely a shot at turning into something decent.

Keep an eye on my Beto.com write-ups - both the ones already up and those in the pipeline. They'll give you the know-how to level up your poker game and maybe even turn a profit from your pastime.

Here's hoping your virtual poker pots are overflowing!

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Aussie Poker FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Got questions about online poker? We've got the answers to the most common queries right here.

Is online poker for real cash legal in Oz? Arrow Arrow

Playing online poker is fully legal and tax-free at licensed Aussie casinos

Which pokie bonus tops the list for online poker? Arrow Arrow

Online Poker: A Unique Punt Among Casino Card Games - Snag Top Bonuses and Loyalty Perks for Your Playing Style

Are online pokies still a hit Down Under? Arrow Arrow

Online poker's still thriving, but the market's fragmented. Choose a bustling room for more relaxed tables and better games.

Can you play in free poker comps? Arrow Arrow

Aussie poker rooms and casinos at BETO offer ripper bonuses and heaps of value with free poker tourneys for players to join.