Internet Poker

Unless you have not been using the internet - or not watching late night television on Challenge and Discovery Home and Leisure - you could not have failed to notice the popularity and growth of Poker.

Internet poker is taking off in a big way with many thousands of players online at any one time in one of the various and many internet poker 'rooms' - but how do you know what internet poker sites to visit, what online poker rooms to play in and how the internet poker games work?

Well follow this guide and before long you will be Checking, Calling, Bluffing and Winning with the best of them!

What is online / internet poker?

Internet poker is just the same as normal poker but played in a online room with a virtual dealer but real players. The most common poker game played is Texas Hold 'Em - which will be covered most in this guide.

Is Internet Poker regulated?

Almost every large and well known internet poker sites are regulated and audited. There are a few of them but you might want to check out such as Pacific Poker or Coral Poker. These are very large and well known companies - Coral Poker is run by Coral Bookmakers and Pacific Poker run by 888.com

What is the most popular internet poker game?

One of the most popular internet poker games is Texas Hold 'Em.Texas Hold 'Em poker works by each player being dealt two cards. Each player begins betting initially on the two cards dealt. At this point, and each betting point you have the option to fold, call or check (check is available when all players do not wish to add any extra to the pot in order to see the dealers next card).

Once all bets are called the dealer will deal three upright cards (known as a flop) in the center of the table known as the 'community' cards. So now you have five cards, the two you were dealt plus the three community cards. Betting now takes place on the five cards you have.

Bets continue until all is called (or all other players fold) and the dealer turns over a fourth center card (known as the turn card). Now you have six cards, but you just note and bet on your best five in normal poker hands.

Betting continues until all is called (or all other players fold) and the dealer turns the fifth 'river card' - meaning you have seven cards with which to pick your best five card hand. Betting now continues until all is called (or all other players fold).

The winning hand takes the pot!

What are the best hands of poker?

The top hand is a Royal Flush, with the lowest being your single highest card. Below are examples of winning hands in order with the highest hand at top and lowest at bottom:

Straight Flush (or if Ace high then Royal Flush)
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
Three of a Kind
Two Pair
Pair
High Card (Highest Single Card)

Can you bluff in internet poker?

Internet poker is sometimes more easy to bluff than normal poker simply because your opponents can not see your face, reactions, expressions or tell tale signs that you are bluffing - but don't forget that with internet poker you can not see your opponents face, expressions or tell tale signs either!

I'm a complete novice, where do I start?

There is lots of help for complete novices - best of all you can actually 'sit in' to a room and observe. Unfortunately you will not be able to see anyone's cards, but it does give you an idea how the table works. You can also join an internet poker site, such as Pacific Poker or Coral Poker and play for fun until you get the hang of it.

I want to start playing internet poker with real money, how do I start ?

You can join one of the larger, respected, internet poker sites like Pacific Poker or Coral Poker - and follow their instructions.

Why not also check out Poker Chips - Poker Tables - Clay Poker Chip Sets for poker chips, poker tables and more

This guide covers the basics of Internet Poker and focuses on Texas Hold 'Em. The best tip anyone can give is simply to do not start betting outside your limit and always bet sensibly