Poker Blog

Poker Blog

Online poker is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. You can play for free or for the minor possible stakes. You can even enter the most entertaining live poker tournaments around the globe. Additionally, you can play with extremely high stakes almost anywhere you want—all of which you can do from a laptop, a desktop computer, tablet or phone. The beauty of online poker is that everyone can find the right seat at the poker table, regardless of their experience level. 

There are more than 110 million online poker players worldwide, and the game constantly grows in countries far and near. If you are interested in learning how to play poker for free or real funds, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about playing online poker. 

Introduction

Online poker is a traditional poker card game played on the internet. There is a variety of different poker games and stakes, including free poker rooms. The online poker rules are identical to the live poker game versions. Online poker is faster, comes with less risk and more accessibility. You can play for a smaller amount while playing from the comfort of your home. The downside is that you will usually play against strangers, so it will be hard to guess if someone is bluffing or not. 

Why Is Online Poker Popular?

There’s a lot of reasons why online poker is one of the most popular casino games. It’s an easy-to-play, fun and intellectual game. Unlike slots or the lottery, the game rewards actual skill. You can also play anywhere you like, at any time. The fun never stops. 

How To Play Online Poker

If you’re playing from your laptop or desktop, the first step is to download an online poker app or other software from the casino of your choice. This software usually takes up little memory, and it should take much time to download them on even the slowest internet connections. If you don’t want to or can’t download anything, you can try the no download online poker games at any website. Keep in mind. They may not provide the same playability and features as the download version. 

Once you’ve unpacked and installed the software, you’ll have to register an account. Some sites will require you to register before downloading. It goes without saying, but you must be above 18 years old to be eligible to play. Depositing funds on an online poker venue often require a prepaid or credit card, but it can vary. The majority of online poker casinos accepts MasterCard or Visa, and the most popular e-wallets like Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller. 

Online Poker Types

Without any doubt, Texas Hold ’em is the most popular poker game. There are diverse variations you can play online, but some sites don’t offer every variation. Hundreds of hold ’em games are played around the clock at all sorts of stake levels. At Texas Hold ’em, you receive two cards, and the goal is to combine them with the five community cards to make the most substantial possible hand. This variation is easy to learn but hard to master, making it the most popular one. 

Other famous poker variations include:

  • Omaha Hi-Lo
  • Pot-Limit Omaha
  • 5 Card Draw
  • 7 Card Stud
  • Razz
  • Chinese Poker
  • Short Deck Hold ’em

Online Poker Bonuses

A promotion for new players could play to your advantage, as almost every online poker offers a welcome package. Often poker sites will match your deposit amount at a maximum of up to 100%. For example, if you deposit $50 on a poker site, the casino will match that amount. There’s a wide variety of sing-up bonuses available in most online casinos. 

Online Poker Tournaments

Poker tournaments are massively famous both online and live, thanks to the exposure of the World Poker Tour, European Poker Tour, and World Series of Poker. In poker tournaments, you pay in advance to participate and get a stack of chips. The moment you’re out of the contest is when you run out of chips. These tournaments are a fantastic opportunity to win big money, as you only need a small amount to participate. There are a couple of $15 buy-in tournaments that have over $150,000 for first place. With bigger buy-ins, the overall tournament prize rises as well. 

Free Poker Games and Tournaments

Like online-poker-k.com, you will find a lot of sites offering free poker. It’s an excellent way for beginners to learn the rules, how the game works, and what variations are there. 

For those new to poker, freerolls is an online poker tournament. As the name says, you don’t have to deposit anything to play for a real-money prize pool. So, how are poker tournaments different from free poker games?

If you’ve played any poker on social media or your poker app, that’s a free-to-play site(for example, Zynga Poker). These don’t come with real money prizes. You can play and win a ton of chips, but they don’t have any value in reality. 

Free online poker is played on an online poker site where gamblers play and compete for real money. You don’t have to “buy-in” for this poker type as it is not required. You can play both tournaments and ring games entirely for free. 

Conclusion

Online poker has been around for quite some time now, but it continues to grow and attract more players. If you feel like you want to try out something exciting and fun, then online poker might be a great thing for you.

Poker Blog

There’s plenty to understand about this ancient card game when looking to enter online casino poker tournaments. Poker is in the minority when it comes to skill-based online casino games but has been globally popular for decades. Land-based casinos of old have regularly featured this game worldwide even before the onset of internet gambling. Nowadays, experienced punters and beginners alike invest time and effort into mastering various poker strategies and pursue full-time gaming careers.

However, playing poker online requires choosing between cash games and participating in various tournaments. Live tournaments are among the most popular formats in which poker gaming online occurs, but there are crucial considerations. While skill and experience represent the great equalizers in this game, countless punters neglect a vital aspect: entering fees. We thought we’d give this aspect of playing online some much-needed attention, so let’s begin.

Enter Online Casino Poker Tournaments: Cash Games

Before we dig into tournaments, you’ll need to decide whether cash games are attention-worthy. More specifically, whether you prefer live or online poker games

Countless players enjoy live games because of human interaction. For many punters, elements like psychology, tells, and body language are too exciting to give up for mere online gaming. Even though virtual poker games aren’t without benefits, the live versions are too inviting to resist. Therefore, think about this aspect before you begin.

Poker Tournaments: Online Or Live?

This question might seem redundant if you’ve already decided live poker is the way to go. Online tournaments are much different than online cash games due to numerous reasons. 

For example, playing live poker tournaments requires numerous expenditures and fees, not to mention they are marathon affairs. Consequently, countless poker enthusiasts struggle to make a living playing live tournaments. While it’s possible to win such competitions, the underlying requirements are what creates the struggle. One needs to continuously win to support traveling to events across the region, country, or world. 

Therefore, the current state of the poker economy makes it excruciatingly difficult to ensure long-term wins necessary to break even, let alone profit, from such contests.

Average Live Tournament Fees

Considering everything mentioned above, the takeaway is that online poker tournaments should be the financially savvy poker player’s choice. When looking to enter online casino poker tournaments, there are numerous reasons why they are better and more cost-effective than their live counterparts.

For example, if you look at the average rake at a daily live casino tournament, you’ll notice it’s somewhere between 15% and 20% of the buy-in. In most cases, this amount is a minimum of 1.5x to 2x higher than what you would pay in online tournaments. Additionally, it’s nearly impossible to find a live tournament with a 10% or lower rake. 

Furthermore, this issue persists even in larger tournaments with higher buy-ins. WSOPC is an excellent example, but the situation is identical in most tournament series. There are three main buy-in amounts in the WSOPC: $300 + $65 = 18%, $500 + $80 = 14%, and $1,500 + $175 = 10.45%. 

You’ll notice that the rake never gets below 10% despite becoming increasingly smaller. Therefore, a 15%-20% rake is impossible to overcome to make a living. 

Tipping Expenses

Tips are another live-only expense, which is crucial when looking to enter online casino poker tournaments. Remember that you are tipping no matter what because the tournament takes out a significant amount of the prize pool by default. This amount is generally around 3% on top of the tournament fee as a “tournament staff fee.” 

But, when looking to make a big score, most players leave a little something on top of this amount regardless. In many cases, the previously mentioned 3% goes to other staff and not the dealers, so you should tip. Despite being unfair to you, stiffing the dealers is an even greater injustice. Therefore, you can add another 1%-3% on top of the 10%-20% in fees you’re already paying.

Food Expenses

Not having access to your cabinets and refrigerator is one of the added expenses when you’re on the road. Consequently, you end up eating out and ordering in a lot. Therefore, even the most frugal player will still pay much more than they would at home regardless of numerous available options. These options include using a food voucher from the casino, taking advantage of the hotel’s continental breakfast, or merely visiting the deli. 

On average, you spend at least $20 a day on food and drinks. Even if you have free drinks, you’ll still need to tip the waitress. So, depending on your eating habits, you’re looking at between $20 and $100 per day on food alone.

Travel Expenses

When looking at the cost to enter online casino poker tournaments, live gaming also involves participating in different tournaments. These contests can take place regionally, in other states, or even other countries. Regardless of whether you fly or drive from one stop to the next, it would be best if you accounted for these expenditures. Examples include hotel accommodations, taxi rides, airfare, gas, and more.

While quantifying this amount precisely is challenging, you’re typically looking at a minimum of $20 per day. When it comes to the maximum, the amount can quickly grow into hundreds of dollars every day.

What’s The Cost To Enter Online Casino Poker Tournaments? Example

Let’s imagine a skilled poker player is participating in one tournament every day, 300 days per year. Let’s also assume the average live tournament buy-in is $300 and that our player has a 35% ROI on his buy-ins. 

To make matters easier, we’ll also imagine that our player is exceptionally frugal. Let’s say he targets events within driving distance (approximately $20 every day in gas). He could also target events that don’t call for hotel stays unless he makes the final table. If our player also spends only $20 per day on food and plays only tournaments with a 15% rake, here’s how the math would look.

On the one hand, our player’s expenses for every $300 he spends include tournament fees ($45), gas ($20), food ($20), tips throughout the day ($5), dealer tips (1% of winnings/approximately $10 for every event). Therefore, our skilled player is paying $100 per tournament in expenses. 
Therefore, even if he has a 35% ROI (which is nearly impossible), he’s only profiting $5 in every tournament. When it comes to the cost to enter online casino poker tournaments, every online poker guide will tell you it’s much less than it costs to play in live tournaments.

Poker Blog

Poker is one of the most popular games worldwide. That’s not a mystery. Whether you played for money or for free, you can’t deny that you felt the adrenaline rushing through your veins. Maybe you even played this game with your childhood friends when you were on a school trip together.

The sheer excitement of poker doesn’t dwindle that easily. Newcomers and experienced players enjoy their sessions no matter the level of their knowledge of the game.

When the pandemic occurred, many players found online poker as an excellent replacement for social gatherings. Nowadays, online poker connects millions of players across the globe without any health hazards to worry about.

The best thing about online poker is that it doesn’t need to be safe from just viruses. It can be even financially safe to consume if you opt to join free online poker rooms. Think about it: you don’t lose any money while playing at the most hygienic distance from your opponents!

Finish Last in Practice but First in the Race

Free online poker games make you stand out from the crowd. Thanks to free poker sessions, you can play without ever thinking about stopping or stressing out about exceeding your budget. With each round, you can get better and better, thus ultimately making yourself into a professional-level player.

Even if you keep losing, you can learn from better players than yourself. You can pick up many tricks to apply during your real money games or your late-night sessions with friends later. Think about pulling out a bluff with your friends that might think you have a Royal flush at that moment, only to come out with two pairs!

For instance, the great thing about free games (such as those at online-poker-k.com) is that you can track your bankroll and how it impacts your gameplay. You can try with different amounts and see how your game changes when you win or lose. You can also analyze how you are playing at the edge of bankruptcy and later adjust the game style when playing with real money.

It doesn’t matter if you lose all the time in free poker sessions. What matters is that you are gaining valuable experience and knowledge. That’s why you should read further to find out what are the best practicing arenas for online free poker.

The Best Online Poker Sites in 2021

These are some of the best online free poker sites in 2021. The best thing about these sites is that they offer poker players dedicated apps for iOS and Android devices. That way, you can enjoy your free online poker sessions at home or on the go.

Given that poker is one of the most downloaded mobile casino games, you will have no problem finding your place in online poker rooms. Here is a list of the best free online poker sites with high traffic in 2021:

partypoker

partypoker is a modern online poker site that you can enjoy at home or on the go. The site is dedicated to sporting the best poker experience online players can get nowadays. The nice thing about partypoker is that after you finish practicing your free poker rounds, you can try your practiced tricks in actual real money poker sessions.

PokerStars

PokerStars is the world’s greatest poker site and one of the biggest names when it comes to online casinos. This site tends to replicate the same experience you can get while playing physical poker games so you can practice for the real deal. PokerStars is one of the pioneers of online poker. You should not miss the opportunity to play your free or real money poker rounds on this legendary site.

GGPoker

GGPoker’s online casino site also offers players free poker. It is one of the freshest and most innovative free poker sites of today. It has many enticing games, excellent liquidity, and a modern interface that makes every session enjoyable. You can find a large variety of your traditional poker games, as well as some unique poker twists that make your rounds seem fresh and hip.

Unibet Poker

Unibet Poker is the top free online poker site that caters to inexperienced and recreational poker players. The best site for practicing or simply playing casually with your poker buddies. You can customize your profile with dozens of avatars or try different poker versions. There are also many fast-paced minigames, and special trial accesses to all casino online games.

888poker

The 888poker site had a massive success after updating its platform and game collection. The site’s IT technicians handle user interfaces like no other site and try to bring extraordinary service to their app users. Many professional gamblers consider the 888poker app one of the leading online poker apps in the world. This might be your perfect choice if you prefer gambling on your smart devices.

Practice Makes Perfect

Most of the sites mentioned above offer you to play with real money as well. You can then go against the big fish and earn serious money. Some of the casinos might even take you to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas! However, after long practice sessions on free online poker, make sure you don’t forget that you will be gambling with actual money.

In the end, the most important thing is that you enjoy your online poker sessions. You can split the fun with your friends, family, or random contestants around the globe. However, one thing is for sure when playing free poker: you and your poker buddies will have no worries about breaking the budget or emptying bankrolls. There is no more waiting for the next payment to play your favorite casino game again with free online poker!

Poker Blog

We are witnessing rapid online global changes because of the recent pandemic. Thankfully, we live in an age that allows fast communication and online services to cater to users without physical accommodations.

All major brands focused on the betterment of their online services during 2020. Many users find online business as safe and enticing as physical, social engagements.

It seems that customers find the comfort of their home the best venue that a brand can offer. Customers feel more relaxed and secure when doing their errands via the internet. Whatmore, the benefits go both ways. But what about online casinos?

2020: Online Casinos

The online casino gambling industry is one of those businesses where user and casino experiences have flourished during the pandemic. And the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down in 2021 or 2022.

During these times, online casinos have become places where users can be relaxed while enjoying their favorite games without worrying about their health. While land-based casinos are affected by strict health regulations, online casinos are becoming a go-to venue for all kinds of gamblers.

That doesn’t mean that online casinos didn’t have their clients before the pandemic, however. What’s more, online casinos already had their huge fanbase prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic was there to convince all the previously skeptical players about this type of gambling entertainment.

Online Casino on Top of The Line

We all love land-based casinos. These establishments are where it all started. However, online casinos are not the types of venues where all the charms of land-based casinos are necessarily gone.

Whatmore, online casinos tend to copy all the best features of the physical casino and enhance them. If you browse through the current selection of online poker games, you’ll notice that the choice is even more comprehensive than in most of the regular land-based casinos.

Yes, you might not feel the same room atmosphere as in the physical casino. However, online casinos gather players from across the globe. In online casino poker games, you can compete against players that you could never encounter face-to-face during your lifetime!

Don’t miss this chance to go against people coming from all sorts of cultures. In land-based casinos, we tend to get bored going against the same local people time and time again. We already know their style of play, and we even heard their life stories dozens of times. In online casinos, every poker room is full of new amazing people!

Change Is Always Positive

Yes, playing in online casinos is a different experience than playing in a physical one. However, all the games you can encounter at online casinos might be even better than traditional ones.

Online casinos sometimes offer a greater game diversity, given more players have access to their games. What’s most important is that you understand that online casinos won’t lose the standard features of your favorite game.

There might be some additional features, but these make games more thrilling and inviting. No matter the feature, the gist of the fun is always there. If you still feel like online casinos significantly differ from traditional gambling, look at the online poker explained guide that we offer to online casino newcomers.

Super Secure

Many players tend to be skeptical about betting their money in online casinos. However, rest assured that betting in online casinos is an even safer experience than gambling in a physical one.

Imagine winning tons of cash in your local casino, and hundreds of people watch you struggling to collect all your prizes. We can bet that wouldn’t feel comfortable even though you’ve just won a ton of money.

There is no room for you to feel uncomfortable with bets you win in online casinos, no matter the amount. All of your financial gains are handled through encrypted online transactions that can’t be hacked. Not to mention that you won’t need to worry about other people sticking their noses at your business.

However, suppose you are not convinced about providing your credit card information to the internet. In that case, you can opt for pay-by-phone options. Baku or your regular phone payments are completely safe. They don’t require you to provide any of your credit or debit card information.

Finally, suppose you don’t feel good about paying via phone. In that case, you can try paying by Skrill or PayPal or another option to handle online transactions. Today, many people tend to pay with cryptocurrencies or Paysafecard to make their transactions even more untraceable.

Either you go with a third-party financial account or a prepaid payment method, depositing or withdrawing money in an online casino is safer than carrying bags of money through a physical casino, attracting all eyes.

Whenever, Wherever

Land-based casinos are, well, based in one particular part of land. In other words, physical casinos are stagnant, and you must travel to them in some way. If you opt for your car, then you cannot enjoy your favorite drink. If you want to “uber”, you must be willing to pay an amount that you could have spent on one more lucky round in the casino.

With online casino gambling, you don’t need to worry about these things. You can enjoy your drink while gambling without even leaving your bedroom! What would be a better start to your day of rest than to grab a beer and make a few bucks playing poker from the comfort of your home?

Furthermore, the unique thing about online casinos is that you can enjoy them even on the go. You can bet money or play your stakes of poker when commuting on a subway ride, taking the bus, or when carpooling with your colleagues on your way home.

Why not join one of the myriad online poker rooms during your lunch break? Who knows, you might so much that you don’t even need to return to the office!

Great Bonuses

The other great thing about online casinos is bonuses. Cashbacks, deposit matches, free spins, daily, weekly and welcome rewards are what make online casinos stand out from land-based ones.

Whether you opt for poker, roulette, blackjack, or slot games, all online casinos will offer you welcome bonuses that boost your game considerably. And the best thing about them is they are not just a one-time deal.

Many casinos offer players weekly and seasonal bonuses. For instance, if a casino features a Thursday matching bonus, you might get your deposits doubled on Thursdays. If a casino has a seasonal promotion, you might get the most out of your chances if you use those.

In the end, online casinos often host tournaments for their customers. These tournaments offer players to compete on a leaderboard and award players with the highest scores amazing prizes at the end of the week.

Conclusion

Online casinos are always trying to make players feel the most comfortable when using them. In online casinos, players can win the same amount of money than in land-based casinos, if not even more.

Finally, what’s so great about online casinos is that players can enjoy their sessions without worrying a thing when public health is of utmost importance.