Live Poker
Anyone playing live poker in Australia will already know that the choices aren’t quite as varied as we might like. In fact, the number of live poker sites has decreased over the years. But this doesn’t mean there’s nothing available, far from it. There are still many great live poker options out there for you to find.
One of the few casino games where skill does matter, you need to prioritise finding a poker site that’s worth playing at. It’s not always easy, but we’ve found some great sites that offer a range of poker tournaments and bonuses to help you get started.
Top Live Dealer Poker Games at Australian Casinos
- BetOn Poker – BetGamesTV
- Live Casino Hold’Em – ImagineLive
- Live Casino Hold’Em – Pragmatic Live
How to Pick the Best Live Poker Experience at an AU Online Casino
With a distinct lack of live poker games in standard live lobbies, it’s worth also considering looking at poker tournaments as well. However, have a look at some of the suggestions below, when it comes to considering what to play.
- Format: there are two main poker formats, and you should carefully consider these before playing. Cash games are typically live games and for these you need to consider the rake, how active the table is during the day and the stakes on offer. For tournaments, you should look at the schedule, buy-in requirements, prize pools and the variety of poker games within the tournament itself.
- Variants: for beginners, it’s best to avoid sites offering tournaments only, as these are aimed at some of the more experienced players. Starting out with live poker games or even video poker (more on that here), is the best way to get to grips with the game.
Live Versus Live Dealer Poker at Aussie Casinos
At this juncture, it’s important to highlight the subtle differences between live and live dealer poker when playing online at an Australian casino. As touched upon, there are poker tournaments available, and this is live poker. Here you will play directly against other players just as you would in person. The game plays out with you pitting your wits against other real people.
In contrast, while also played online and in real time, with real people, live dealer poker is played against the dealer. In this way, it’s a little more akin to playing blackjack or baccarat than regular poker. Playing live dealer poker is a lot of fun, though, and still gives you that access to an immersive, real-person experience. It’s just a little more relaxed when compared to live poker, and means you’re playing against the house.
Types of Live Dealer Poker at Online AU Casinos
Live Poker aren’t all the same; there are different types to consider when playing. We’re going to take a look at the differences between these poker games to give you a better idea of which suits your needs.
Casino Hold’em
One of the most popular live dealer poker games is Casino Hold’em. This game pits you against the dealer using community cards. First, there’s the Ante bet, after which, you and the dealer each get two cards. Then, five community cards are dealt. You choose to fold or call after the flop. If you call, your hand goes up against the dealer’s to see what the payout is based on the fixed paytable that accompanies the game. It isn’t about bluffing, as in outright live poker, but rather about careful hand selection and bet management.
Triple-Edge
A newer option out there, this is also against the house, but there’s a difference. Instead of two, you get three cards and can choose from many different betting options, including folding, doubling your bet or even placing side bets on specific hand combinations. It’s got more aggressive payouts than some other games, making it a solid option for players looking for higher risk and faster payout times. You can also play more than one hand at the same time, boosting the high-stakes action if needed.
Tips for Playing Live Dealer Poker Online in Australia
As with all games, having a good understanding of the game rules is essential when playing live dealer poker. It does take time to get it all worked out completely, so there’s no need to rush. And, with each different poker variant offering different rules, taking time is key to success.
- Hand rankings: probably the most important thing to learn, this is the value of each hand. The lowest ranking hand is the high card; when there’s no other combination, you just take the card that’s worth the most. The highest value hand is the Royal Flush with the 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace all of the same suit.
- Poker terms: as with some other card games, knowing the important poker terms is also key to success. Big blind is the bet that all players must make at the start of the round, ante is the small bet that has to be placed before each round, and flop is the first three community cards placed out in Texas Holdem.
- Play fewer hands: for new players, playing less is a good thing. Rather than playing all hands or calling to see what the flop gives you, if your starting hand is poor, just fold. You can wait to get good pocket cards and go from there, you run the risk of losing your entire bankroll just on Ante or Big Blind bets.
- Don’t get emotional: a key tip for all poker players, new and seasoned, is to never play mad, sad or drunk. Doing so can greatly impede judgment and result in poor calls when playing such a strategic game.
Playing Online Live Poker
While there aren’t as many options as there once were for poker in Australia, there are still plenty of places to play and various options to enjoy. For both live and live dealer poker, there are many tourneys to choose from or low and high-stakes tables for those in the live dealer lobby. Avoid playing against other players if you’re a beginner, and get to grips with the rules of the specific game you’re taking on before diving in.
