Online poker is a game of skill that many Australian players enjoy on internet poker sites. The game requires the player to make bets using chips that have real money value. So, you can make wagers based on the value of the hand the dealer has dealt you.
We have found the best real money poker sites with top-rated poker rooms for Australian players. Read our guide to find the best tips to play poker like a pro and claim a poker bonus worth A$1000.
Top Online Poker Sites in Australia 2022
How We Choose the Best Australian Online Poker Casinos
There are a lot of casinos that are not above board on the internet. So, you need a good strategy to help you choose the best AU poker site for you. Here’s what we do when you look for the best online poker site:
- Safety – we make sure that we look for a poker site that is licensed and regulated by the relevant authorities. So, make sure you check whether the games are audited regularly.
- Bonuses – these days it will be difficult to find a poker site that doesn’t offer a bonus for signing up. However, only a few online poker bonuses are worth claiming. So, ask yourself if the bonus is worth it for you.
- Payout Speed – it’s important to get your winnings as quickly as you want them. So, you need to find a poker casino that has fast payouts for Aussie players.
- Games – not every player is interested in playing the same type of online poker game all the time. That’s why finding a casino that has a variety of poker games to enjoy when you have an account.
- Mobile poker – many players these days use their mobile devices to play casino games. So, you need to find a poker online casino that is responsive to mobile devices like Android or iOS.
Real Money Poker vs Free Poker Online
There are benefits to playing real money poker and free poker online. Here’s a list of some pros and cons you’ll enjoy when you play either free poker online or real money poker.
Playing Online Poker Australia Real Money
Pros:
- You can win loads of real cash when you play online poker for real money.
- The best online poker sites offer some of the best poker bonuses for Aussies players.
- When you play live dealer poker, you put your skills to the test against other skilled poker players.
Cons:
- If you don’t have a good understanding of the game of poker, you can lose a lot of real cash.
- Some poker variants are difficult to find at top-rated Australian casinos.
Online Free Poker
Pros:
- You can join freeroll poker tournaments and earn some bankroll credit.
- Free online poker is more relaxed which means that you can practice your poker strategy and learn the game.
- You get to play the different poker variations without having to risk your money.
Cons:
- Free online poker is not challenging and you won’t get to experience the thrill of the game.
- You can’t win any money when you play online poker for free.
How to Play Online Poker for Real Money
Playing a real online poker game is easy but may be daunting for new players. Here’s a guide on playing a poker game online:
1. Choose the right poker game
The first thing you need to do is choose the right poker variation at real money poker sites. You can either play two types of games:
- Ring Games
- Tournaments with prize pools
You can participate in ring games any time you want to. However, online poker tournaments are only available for a certain period. Both types of poker games have a pot limit and limitless options.
2. Place poker bets
You can start with an ante bet to start playing an online poker game. Once all the bets have been recorded, the first round will start.
3. Get your cards
Depending on the type of poker game, the dealer will hand you between two to five cards. Check the score of your poker hand to decide what your next move will be. You can choose to either place another bet, raise or fold.
4. Showdown
The showdown rules will depend on your type of poker game. But it involves all the players revealing their cards so that you can see if you’ve won or not.
Poker Online Australia: Hand Ranks Explained
Types of Online Poker Games
Australian online poker sites have loads of poker games available for you to play for real money. Here are some popular poker games at Australian casino sites:
Live Dealer Online Poker Australia: Play Online Poker with Friends
Live dealer online poker allows Australian players to play poker with a real-life dealer. Online live poker games are the closest thing you’ll get to a real poker game at brick-and-mortar casinos. Imagine playing in front of the dealer with other players at the poker table.
The best part about live dealer poker online is that you can also play with your friends. All you have to do is sign up for an account at a casino that offers live poker. Then discuss with your friends which live dealer poker table you want to join.
Playing online poker with a dealer is great because you can do it from the comfort of your home. You’ll the best internet connection so the casino can stream the game to your desktop or mobile device.
Online Poker Tournaments
Some casinos collaborate with each other to host poker tournaments for Australian players. So, you can play live poker with other players in the tournament for a chance at the prize pool. Similarly to other game tournaments, poker tourneys have set rules and a time frame.
In buy-in poker tournaments you have to pay the entry fee to be able to participate. Some tournaments can be held at an international level like the World Series of Poker (WSOP). But there are freeroll poker tournaments that don’t require you to pay any money to participate.
Best Online Poker Australia: Tips & Tricks
Poker is a table game that requires skill and strategy to win. So, you need to learn all the rules on the hands and actions to take. But you need to learn some tricks to be able to win online poker at Australian casinos.
We have suggested a few tips that will help you lower the house edge and improve your odds. The best part is that you will get to improve your chances of winning.
- Make sure you know the rules of the type of poker game you’re playing. While the basic rules may apply, every poker game has its set of rules that make it different.
- Have a clear understanding of all the rules of the online poker game you’re playing. The more understanding you have of the rules the less likely you are to lose a lot of money at online poker rooms.
- Learn how to make winning combinations in poker. Before you even start playing for poker real money, learn the various winning combinations. So, you’ll know which poker cards to keep and which to discard.
- Hold cards that will allow you to form the winning hands in poker. For example, never discard cards that potentially form a Royal Flush, Straight flush, Four-of-a-kind etc.
- You don’t have to play every hand that’s dealt to you. If you don’t see cards that will help you win or form a good hand you’re allowed to discard them. When you’re playing poker it’s important to focus and which hands you’ve discarded.
Is Online Poker Legal in Australia?
Yes, Aussie players can play poker in internet poker rooms. However, the laws passed by the Australian Parliament prohibit online poker operators from offering poker games to Australians. According to the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, there are penalties imposed on gambling operators if found guilty.
Mobile Poker Apps
The best thing about playing poker online is that you have the convenience of playing it anywhere you want. All you have to do is launch the poker website on your mobile device and login if you already have an account.
So, when you’re choosing the best online poker site make sure it’s compatible with mobile devices. You can use either your Android or iOS device to play any poker game you want.
FAQs about Online Poker
No. the poker sites we suggested are licensed and regulated by the relevant authorities. These sites have a good reputation and are rated well by poker players.
Yes. We have a few poker sites where you can play for free or for real money online.
The best way to practice poker online is to find a casino that offers free poker games. You might have to create an account before you can play the free games but that’s not always the case.
It depends on the type of poker tournament you’re participating in. for example, if it’s a sit-and-go the tourney can last between 15-70 minutes. However, if it’s a multi-table tournament it can last between 4 – 8 hours.
Ignition Casino is one of the best poker sites for Australians. Not only will you get to play the best online poker games and claim a bonus valued at A$1000.
Yes, you can. All you have to do is make sure that you and your friends are registered at the same poker site. Then you can join a live dealer poker game together and play against each other.