Online Poker in South Africa is a popular game with very good odds of winning. In definition, online poker South Africa is an internet card game in which the player that has a strong card hand wins the game. When you join the poker online table, you will play alongside an online poker casino software that stands in for a casino dealer.
However, this is different from live poker which is played against a real SA online poker casino dealer. Real money poker is a game that most South African players have been exposed to by just playing with friends.
South Africa online poker has made its rounds and has transformed into a strategic and classical game at the best South African online casinos. So, if you’re looking to learn how to play poker online at the top online poker sites as well as everything poker, you have come to the right place. Get started with our quick guide to South African online poker games!
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Online Poker Real Money South Africa
Online Poker is a simple casino game that can be played for real money and for fun. To win, you simply need to create the best possible five-card hand based on the poker hand rankings.
Each player is dealt a certain number of cards – depending on the variation – to form a hand by either keeping or discarding certain cards.
Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the most common types of online poker games and are the easiest to learn. Players can use these variations to practice before they can play poker for real money.
Basic Poker Rules
Generally, most poker games follow the same set of rules. The game is played using:
- A standard 52-card deck
- Two or more players
- Chips or real cash
- Some games have “forced bets”, also known as “ante” or “blind” at the beginning of a hand.
Once the compulsory bets are concluded, the players get dealt their hole cards where they get to choose if they want to either: call (match another player’s bet), raise (increase their bet), fold (withdraw), check (bet later) or go all in (bet all their chips). The betting round unfolds clockwise from the dealer’s position.
These are pretty much the basic rules of the game. You can find a full list for each variant on our poker rules guide.
Popular Online Poker Games
Texas Hold’em Poker
Texas Holdem is currently the most popular variation of the game. It is preferred mostly by beginner players since it’s easy to pick up. It follows the common poker rules and gameplay we discuss in this guide.
Omaha Poker
Omaha is played similarly to Hold’em in terms of betting and blinds. The difference is the number of hole cards that are dealt. The game has popular variations as Omaha Hi, 5-Card Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo or Omaha 8.
Razz Poker
A variation of poker where the bad hand win. The goal of the game is to make the lowest five-card hand from seven cards that you are dealt. Razz poker combines the gameplay of Lowball and Stud Hi.
Seven Card Stud Poker
Popular among players who prefer to play poker at home. The game involves five rounds of betting and is played on an eight-handed table. Seven Card poker is also available to play online at most casinos. The variants for the game include Stud Hi/Lo and Stud Hi.
5-Card Draw Poker
The goal in 5-Card Draw poker is to create the highest ranked five-card poker hand. The dealer deals all players their own separate hand which is hidden from their opponents. This is what makes this game more interesting. Each one of the players then gets a chance to draw anywhere between 0 and five cards. Thereafter the showdown begins.
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How to Play Online Poker in South Africa
To get started with playing poker online, you need to have signed up with any of the poker apps or sites on our list. You can choose if you want to real money poker or poker online free.
Each game of poker has at least one betting round.
The gameplay for the most common online poker games is as follows:
- The dealer deals each player a certain number of hole cards (2 in Hold’em, and 4 in Omaha).
- Bets are placed.
- Players choose what they want to do with their hand.
- On the flop, the dealer deals three community cards face up.
- The turn follows and the dealer deals the fourth card face up.
- The round is followed by the river, where the dealer deals the fifth and final card.
- The best possible hand wins.
Learn how to play poker simple; from antes to winning on our comprehensive guide.
Poker Hand Rankings – Types of Poker Hands
Online poker hands are ranked as follows, from the highest to lowest possible hand:
- Royal Flush – Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit
- Straight Flush – five consecutive cards of the same suit
- Four of a Kind – four cards of the same rank
- Full House – three matching cards and two other cards of the same rank
- Flush – five cards of the same suit in any order
- Straight – five consecutive cards
- Three of a Kind – three cards of the same rank
- Two Pair – two cards of the same rank, twice
- Pair – two cards of the same rank
- High Card – five cards that don’t match
Best Online Poker Tips South Africa – Winning Poker Tips
Here are some top tips for playing poker at online casinos. Although winning is not guaranteed, these are very helpful tips that can increase your chances of winning online poker and help you manage your bankroll well.
These are tried and tested winning poker tips and methods that are used by successful veteran poker players online.
Time management
You need to spend your time wisely. Use free poker games to enhance your online casino gaming skills.
Start with small real money online poker stakes
It is wise to start small especially if you are still learning how to play the game. You must give yourself a chance to experience the game. Do not rush into bigger bets. Always make sure that you are familiar with the poker game.
Relax when playing online poker game
Playing Online Poker for the first time might be intimidating. As a player, you will need to relax and feel free so that you won’t end up making wrong decisions. Take a deep breath, calm down and relax.
Never play online poker tired
Never play casino games when you are tired as it messes with your focus. Games will always be there, so there is no need to play when you’re exhausted.
Have the right mindset when playing Online Poker
Do not play for the sake of playing or for the sake of wanting to win back the money you lost. Chasing losses usually lead to more losses.
Main Poker Variations
There are many poker games to play online. Software providers create variation after another just to keep you entertained and provide you with more chances of winning.
You can choose from free to real money games and tournaments.
The different poker variations are generally classified into five categories and are as follows:
- Community Card Poker: Each player gets dealt a number of cards which are less than a complete five-card hand. Then the dealer will deal community cards, and players need to create the best five card hand using a combination of their hole cards and the community cards. The most popular community card poker games include: Texas Hold’em Poker and Omaha Poker
- Draw Poker: Draw poker games are one of the simplest. Here each player is dealt a complete hand in the initial betting round and then they need to further develop the hand by either “drawing” or replacing the cards. The most popular draw poker games include: Five-Card Draw Poker, 2-7 Single Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw and Badugi
- Stud Poker: In stud poker, players receive their cards one at a time in a combination of face-down and face-up cards. The most popular variations are: Razz Poker and Seven-Card Stud Poker
- Straight Poker: Straight poker follows similar gameplay as draw poker. Each player is dealt a complete hand except in the betting round they can choose to either raise or re-raise until the game concludes. Popular variations of straight poker games include: Three-Card Brag, Five-Card Brag
- Mixed Poker: Any other poker games combining any of the mention variations. Popular games include: H.O.R.S.E Poker
Real Money Online Poker vs Video Poker Online
Video Poker and Online Poker games are very similar. Online Poker is for good poker players that use strategy, tactics, odds calculations and flop-reading skills to play the game. Video poker is for people who prefer gaming machines.
South African Online Poker History
Poker is a casino game with a long history. Poker has evolved over the years, and It takes its inspiration from different casino games. The idea of playing card games started in 1377.
John Rheinfelden, a Swiss Monk, was the first person to record a card game. The value of the cards was from 1-10. Historians claim it is an offspring of the Persian card game named Nas, in the 16th century.
Poker became popular in the 1800s and has kept growing ever since it gained popularity. Si Redd came with the idea of a video poker game.
Top Online Poker Terms
Here is a list of terms that Top Online Casinos has compiled for both new and experienced poker players.
- All-In: refers to betting with all of your remaining chips.
- Blind: bets placed by gamblers on the left side of the dealer.
- Button: an acrylic disk which points the dealer.
- Call: putting money that is equal to the recent bet into the pot.
- Community Cards: cards presented face-up in the middle of the poker table.
- Dealer: a person who represents the casino and monitors the game.
- Dominated Hand: a hand that will almost and always lose to a better hand.
- Family Pot: a pot for all players. They use it to call before the washout.
- Favourite: a poker hand which is the player’s favourite to win.
- Wild: a card that can stand in for other cards to make a winning match.
If you are interested there are other online casino games for real cash in some places.
South Africa Online Poker FAQs
Is online poker legal in South Africa?
Yes, online poker is legal in South Africa. The law does not prohibit SA poker players from playing poker at licensed online poker sites and joining online poker tournaments.
Can you play poker online for money in South Africa?
Of course. You can play poker online real money at our highly recommended online poker real money South Africa sites.
How do you play poker online?
Playing online poker is very easy in South Africa. All you need to do is follow these quick and easy steps on how to play poker cash games online.
- Choose and join the best SA online poker site from our list.
- Make a deposit.
- Choose your favourite top online poker games at the poker casino lobby.
- Choose your hands and stake.
- Withdraw your online poker real money winnings and enjoy!
Can online poker be played for free?
Yes. You can play free poker online. It is part of the free online gaming mode that every online casino has for players. Players can play it to better their gaming skills before they can play for real money.
Players can play online poker for free as many times as they like.
How many types of top online poker games are available?
Online Poker has a lot of different versions available to play online. The most popular Online Poker versions are Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud poker and Omaha. Besides the listed ones, there are more versions out there.
Are poker sites able to see what I am doing on my computer?
No, what you do on your computer is completely private.
Do I need broadband (hi-speed internet connection) to play on line poker?
No. But if you are going to play live poker you may need it.
What is an on line poker network?
A Poker Network is a group of poker rooms that use the same software provider. The biggest poker network has more than 30 poker rooms.
How do I start playing poker online?
The first thing that you will need to do is ensure that you have proper internet connection. The second thing you need to do is to know that your device is compatible with the casino software, then register, login and start playing.
What’s the best online poker site for real money?
Europa Casino.
What poker app uses real money?
Europa Casino App, Silversands Casino App, Betway and all the other casino apps on our list above.
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