Most Popular Online Poker Games in Australia

The game of poker is loved across the world, with players enjoying both the elements of skill and thrill bound up in the game. Australians are also big fans of poker and online poker – and here are some of their favorite online poker games.

The game of poker originated in the United States, and this is still the country where it is most popular in the world. However, thanks in particular to the rise of online poker, the game is now a firm favorite worldwide. It’s spread across the world has also led to the creation of different variations on the game. That said, each and every game of poker shares some key principles.

Explained simply, a poker hand has five cards, and players bet against each other for having the best hand. The best hand in poker is a selection of cards that has the lowest odds of appearing together. The royal flush is the best hand in many poker variations, as this comprises the five following consecutive cards of the same suit: 10, jack, queen, king, ace. Players either bet that they have the best hand, and other players can match this bet, or they concede. One strategy is for players to bluff that they have the best hand, when in all likelihood they do not. Someone who bluffs may win if the person with the actual best hand does not call this.

The game of poker was first played in the United States in the 1800s. However, the idea of the game of poker also exists in games in other cultures, such as As-Nas, which is a Persian game. The French also had a game called “poque,” the Irish had a game called “poca,” and the Germans had a game called “pochen.” The rough English translations of these words all relate to card games that involve bluffing or bragging.

As poker has increasingly moved online, it has created a surge of international poker players, as the game has become more easily accessible to many people for the first time. The trend of online poker has caught on in Australia just as much as it has elsewhere in the world, and many have an opinion on the best pokies online Australian. As well as finding they have a love for online poker, many Australians have found a preference for many specific variations on the game of poker. Here are some of the absolute favorites:

Texas Hold’em

This is one of the most internationally revered versions of poker, with Australians showing a particular affinity to Texas Hold’em. In this version of the game, every player is dealt two cards face down, which are known as “hole cards.” There is an initial round of betting after this, in which players can decide to check, bet or fold. Then three shared cards are dealt face up so all players can see them, and this process is known as “the flop.”

Then there is another round of betting, after which a fourth shared card (the turn) is placed face up. After yet another round of betting, a final shared card (the river) is placed face up. At this point, players have to make their best Texas Hold’em hands using their two “hole cards” and the most appropriate shared cards.

Five Card Draw

This version of poker is considered to be one of the most classic forms of the game. It is particularly popular among Australians in the online poker gaming world, and especially those first learning the game, as it can be easier to get to grips with the rules compared to other versions of poker. The game starts as either a blind game or an ante game, which are different ways of deciding how bets are placed. Each player is then dealt five cards, and the first round of betting begins, where players decide to bet or fold.

Next there is a draw round, where players can give the dealer the cards they don’t want in exchange for fresh cards. Then there is a fresh round of betting, where players once again decide to bet or fold. When there are only two players left, the winner is finally revealed.

Razz

Another popular online poker game among Australians is Razz. This is a variety of stud poker, where players attempt to make the lowest hand possible, instead of the highest hand that is the norm in other online poker games. After the initial ante, all players are dealt two cards face down and one card face up. After a round of betting, players are each dealt another card face up. Rounds of betting and new face-up cards being dealt continue, until there are five face-up cards and two face-down cards. Players can then battle it out to see who wins with the lowest overall hand, or the best bluff.