Casino poker games
Poker is one of the most popular casino games in the world, and its virtual version is an absolute favorite among Canadian players. Is it based solely on luck, or does skill also matter? And can you make a career out of playing poker? Find out in our online poker guide!
Is it legal to play online poker in Canada?
It is illegal to play online poker for money in Canada, according to the laws set out by the Department of Finance of Canada.
Fortunately for us, however, this is completely inconsistent with the law, which allows legal online poker as long as you play at a casino licensed by an organization from a country where online gambling is legal.
Such organizations include: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and Curacao.
Is online poker cheating?
Every poker site offers a random number generator (RNG) to ensure fair and random results for each hand. The RNG algorithms are developed by independent companies, and poker rooms do not have the access necessary to manipulate the code.
Moreover, online poker casinos are periodically inspected by eCOGRA, and the seal of this organization is a guarantee of fair play and fully responsible behavior of the operators.
Why play poker at an online casino?
There are many great reasons to play online poker. Here's a quick comparison between online poker rooms and poker in land-based casinos:
- Playing from home
- Bonuses
- Variety of payment methods
- Game dynamics
- Free to play
In addition to classic poker rooms, every Internet user can play RNG poker and live casino poker via webcam.
Playing poker online with friends: a list of the best poker sites
There is no shortage of places to play poker online with friends, acquaintances or family members.Are online poker and live poker in casinos different?
The main difference between virtual poker and live casino poker is that in virtual poker you play against the computer, while in live poker your opponent is a live dealer.
Today, the major live casino studios, such as Evolution and Playtech, offer a wide range of live poker games, each with its own set of rules and a unique touch of classic poker.
On the other hand, poker rooms are online casino sites that offer players a wide range of tournaments, table games and many variations of poker. And, of course, bets start at a few pennies and go into the thousands!
3 important tips before playing online poker for real money
If you are passionate about online poker and want to sit down at a virtual table and try your hand at this exciting game, it is worth preparing in advance.
Learn the rules, positions and hands of poker
All varieties of casino poker are played using a regular 52-card deck, which is shuffled after each game, and the number of participants can vary from 2 to 10. The basic idea of poker is to get a better hand than your opponent.
You make combinations based on what cards you have in your hand and what cards are on the table. You win if you outplay other players' hands, especially if you're holding a caroma, poker, or royal flush.
The two players to the left of the dealer must make mandatory blind bets, called the small blind or the big blind.
Of course, this is just an absolute introduction to poker! For a more in-depth discussion of the rules, visit our section on poker hands.
Understand the key concepts of poker strategy
The three basic actions available to a player are to fold, call, or raise.
Below is a complete list of rounds and actions relevant to the game of poker:
- Before the flop (preflop): When all players have received their cards, the pre-flop betting round begins. Each player must look at his cards without anyone else seeing them. Then he makes his move.
- Flop: At the end of the first betting round, 3 cards are dealt.
- Flop: At the end of the previous betting round, the dealer places another card next to the cards laid out on the flop. The third betting round looks the same as the flop round.
- River: If there is more than one player left in the game, we deal a card on the river. We do this the same way we did on the turn. This is the last community card.
- Showdown: After the last round of betting, the remaining players reveal their cards. The best hand wins.
- Fold: This means the player doesn't want to participate in the deal and surrenders his cards (probably because they are weak).
- Check: A player may elect not to raise the current Bet, but rather Fold, pending a decision on the other players' Betting Options. However, note that waiting is possible only if the Betting Options of the current game have not been Raised anew.
- Check (Call): This means a player places a value equal to the big blind, thus indicating his wish to participate in the Hand.
- Bet: This is the first Bet Bet placed during a Betting Round.
- Raise: If you think you have great cards, you may raise. Always raise by a multiple of the big blind. So, if the big blind was 2, the minimum raise is 4.
- Va banque (All-in): This is an "All or nothing" move. The player who decides to do this puts all his chips in the pot. If he fails, he loses everything, but if he wins, he wins the whole pot.
- Bluffing: This is when a player pretends to hold much better cards than he really holds in order to confuse other players and win the pot. The famous Poker Face plays a key role here, which is designed to make it harder for your opponent to spot your bluff.
Don't forget to also visit our separate page on poker strategy!
Choose the best online poker option for you
Wondering which online poker option to try? Let's take a look at the poker options that can be found at most online casinos available to Canadian players.
- Texas Hold'em is the most popular type of poker with relatively uncomplicated rules, where the player starts with 2 cards.
- Omaha - the second most popular variant, where each player gets 4 cards.
- Seven Card Stud - This time, players are dealt seven cards, including four up cards and three skins, during the hand
- Five Card Draw - Five Card Stud, a traditional poker variant on which many home tournament players have grown up.
Types of bonuses in poker casinos
In online casino poker, there are many types of bonuses that can be given to players. They may vary in nature and the way they are awarded, but their purpose is usually to encourage players and increase their chances of winning.
One of the most common types of bonuses is the first deposit bonus. This bonus is given to players who make their first deposit into their gaming account, and usually amounts to a certain percentage of the deposit amount. Such a bonus can significantly increase a player's bankroll and give him more opportunities to play.
Another type of bonus is the registration bonus. It is given to new players who have registered with an online casino and opened their game account. This bonus usually consists of free chips or free spins that can be used in the game.
Some online casinos give players bonuses for playing at certain times of the day or on certain days of the week. Such bonuses can be in the form of extra chips or spins, bonus money or other nice gifts.
Finally, many online casinos provide players with loyalty programs that can provide them with various privileges and bonuses depending on their level of activity and status in the program. Such bonuses may include cashback, exclusive bonuses, prizes and more.
How can I improve my poker game?
Here are the seven best ways to improve your poker game
1.Play when you enjoy it.
Playing poker should be fun. Once it's no longer enjoyable, your decisions will be dictated by emotion, not logic.
2.Study and understand the concept of GTO.
GTO is a strategy in which you will try to optimize each game using models based on mathematics. Easier said than done, but understanding the basics of this strategy will greatly improve your skills!
3.Play fewer hands, instead play more aggressively.....
New players tend to play too conservatively, hoping to stay in the game longer, or too aggressively, dropping chips to get into the game with every hand. Learning to feel your poker hands and use them to your advantage is an important rule to follow.
4.Be patient!
Playing aggressively doesn't mean spending all your chips on every hand in hopes that the RNG god will reward you with a Royal Flush on the river. Remember that most hands are not worth playing, and that you have to wait for the right moment.
5.Analyze Your Opponents
Take a closer look at the other players at the table (live or online) - if you can't identify your weakest opponent, it's probably you! It would be wise to find a better table.....
6.Train your poker hand for free
Online poker for free without registering at a casino is a great way to practice your playing skills. Most online casinos allow you to play a demo version of the game, which is free and does not require registration to the platform.
7.Watch the streams and discover new tips
Check out popular streaming channels and see how the best ones play! There's no shortage of great videos on the internet that explain poker rules and the latest tricks in an interesting way.
Playing online poker on a mobile app
Playing on a smartphone or tablet has many advantages, one of which is certainly the freedom of movement.
Another big plus is the payment methods available only for iOS and Android mobile games, which make transactions much more efficient.
Moreover, online poker mobile apps please their users with customized bonuses and promotions, as well as free freeroll tournaments.
What hides the face of a poker player?
Poker is a great game that has long fascinated players around the world. As modern poker players, we live in the golden age of the internet, and the opportunities to play poker online today are almost limitless.
Before you start playing poker, it pays to take advantage of all the tips you can to make the game enjoyable. But in order to have a real chance of winning big, you also need to be able to control your emotions - or at least hide them!