How To Play Poker Online
How To Play Poker Online
If you've ever wanted to try your hand at poker online, now's the time. At Bally Bet, we’re all about bringing you the best of our epic land-based casinos around the world - and that includes all our poker action.
Whether you're playing for fun or aiming to become the hottest poker player in town, we've got you covered. This online poker guide will help you get started, understand the basics, make smart moves, and maximize your experience with every hand.
Let's deal you in.
Know the basics: How poker works
First things first, you need to know the rules of the game. The most popular type of poker game is Texas Hold'em - starring in blockbusters, game nights and casinos around the world - so let's cover how to play.
Hailing from the home of thrilling rodeos and Southern hospitality, players first played Texas Hold'em poker in Texas, U.S.A in the early 1900s. And the rules haven't changed much in the 100 years since.
Pull up a seat at a Texas Hold'em poker table and you'll receive two cards from the dealer. Players pair these with the five community cards that dealers deal in stages to the middle of the table. The goal is to make the best five-card poker hand possible using any combination of your cards and the community cards.
There are four betting rounds that will take place between each community card dealt: Pre-Flop, the Flop, the Turn and the River. During each round, poker players can either check, bet, call, raise or fold. Yeah, there's a lot of slang involved in poker.
Here's what each option means:
- Check - signals to the table that the (option to place a) buck should be passed to the next player.
- Bet - wager based on how confident you are on your hand winning. If you're playing a No Limit Texas Hold'em poker game, then you'll be able to wager as much as you like.
- Call - matches the value of the bet that was last placed.
- Raise - turns up the thrill by increasing how much other players need to bet if they want to stay in the game.
- Fold - forfeits your cards and bets already placed so you can leave the game before you risk losing any more.
Remember, the ultimate goal may be to form the best hand of the table, but you can still score the prize pot even if you have a poor hand. The key is to be an awesome bluffer. Since no one else can see your two hole cards, it's possible to convince everyone else that your hand is the best.
If you need a quick refresher on hand rankings works, our Poker Hands Cheat Sheet has you covered.
Your step-by-step guide to playing poker
Keen to get into the nitty-gritty? We got you. Here's exactly what's involved in each round of poker.
First bets
The action kicks off with your first two cards being dealt from a single deck of cards. The player sitting two seats to the left of the dealer (also known as the Big Blind) must now place a mandatory bet. This is worth a fixed amount in Texas Hold'em.
Moving clockwise, each player will take it in turns to either fold, match the Big Blind's bet, or raise the bet. If no one has raised, then the Big Blind can continue to play without betting anymore. Otherwise they'll need to match it, raise again, or fold.
The Flop
First round of bets placed, it's time to remove the top card of the deck. This is the job of the poker dealer to keep the game fair and smooth.
Now the first three community cards will be dealt face-up to the table, ready for everyone to use as part of their poker hand.
The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt to the table. This is when you'll start getting a clearer sense on how likely your hand is to be a winner.
The River
The fifth and final community card is revealed. If you're still in the game, then now's the time to decide how big - or small - you're going to go.
The Reveal
The final stage of playing poker - AKA the most thrilling part of all. This is the moment you've all been waiting for. Once everyone has placed their final bets, they'll reveal their hands to determine who will walk away with the poker prize pot.
Don't sweat it if you've got a losing hand and want to save face. You can opt to 'muck' - this will fold your cards without revealing them to the table.
How to play poker at a land-based casino
Prefer the sound of chips clinking and cards snapping at a real-life poker table? With over 15 casinos in the U.S. and UK, we know there's nothing quite like the excitement of a land-based casino.
To play poker in-person, you'll head to the poker area of the casino floor, then get seated at a table that matches your buy-in and game type (usually Texas Hold'em). A live dealer runs the game, and everything's face-to-face - so it's all about reading people, watching body language, and keeping your poker face sharp.
You'll bet with real chips, follow the same rules explained above, and experience the anticipation of a live table.
How to play poker online
Forget travelling to your buds' house or a proper land-based casino to experience the fun of a poker night. Users of the internet have been tapping into the poker action since '98, and you can too.
To start, you'll need to create an account with Bally Bet. Once you’re through our virtual casino doors, you'll be able to explore all kinds of online poker games, from real-money tables to free-to-play poker tournaments.
It's all the same rules - with some exciting twists thrown in for our more innovative online poker tables. Just sign up, then have a browse to pick your next favourite poker game.
Poker game types at Bally Bet
Not sure where to begin? Try Chip and Chair, our beginner-friendly free poker tournaments where you can get used to the game without betting a penny.
Players of this online poker game start with just one chip, meaning you either fold or go all in with each hand. This is a game of small stakes but bold moves. By stripping the game down to basics, there's no need to be a poker pro to enjoy playing for a shot at the prize pot.
Once you're ready to play for real, head to our Cash+ poker tables. These games offer a fast-paced, fun introduction to competitive poker - with £2 buy-ins and randomised seating limiting the risk of having to take on the professionals.
When you're ready to take on the big dogs, our tournament tables are ready and waiting. Introducing: Our unique Wild Seat poker tournaments, where players have a chance to win up to 10,000 times their buy-in, instantly.
Each tournament takes between 8-12 minutes, however it's all up to the playing style of the participants.
Mobile poker
We don't just stop at playing poker on our desktop. With the Bally Bet casino mobile app, you can play poker from anywhere.
Whether you're at home on your tablet or on the move on your phone, you'll get a smooth, secure poker experience - perfect for quick games or long tournament sessions.
Just head to your app store, then search for 'Bally Bet Sports & Casino' to download for free.
Popular poker strategies that work
The question everyone wants the answer to: How to win poker online. Well, good news, buds. You don't need to memorise hundreds of plays or bluff like a pro to create a winning poker strategy.
Here are the top poker strategies used by players:
Practice first, then play for real
Don't rush into the deep end before you understand all the rules. Bally's free daily poker games are perfect for getting used to the speed of online poker, and learning how different hands play out in real time.
As you become more confident, explore our Cash+ games, where you can play poker online with flexible stakes and real money at your own pace.
Move up the stakes
If you're consistently winning at your current bet level, you may want to move up. A good rule of thumb: don't increase your stakes until you’ve built up 20–30 buy-ins at the next level. This gives you a cushion to handle variance and avoid going bust during a downswing.
At Bally Bet, you can gradually climb the ladder with a wide range of low to mid-stakes games that offer plenty of thrills.
Track your progress and keep learning
Top poker players review their sessions. You don't need to be a pro to start doing the same. Keep a record of what games you played, what hands gave you trouble, and what you could improve next time.
Check in on our blog for updated poker tips and deeper dives into the game.
Keep your poker experience fun
Playing poker online should always be fun. At Bally Bet, we champion responsible gaming with tools that let you set limits on deposits, session time, and spending, so you can keep the game fun.
If you're ever unsure whether you're still playing for the fun of it, take a step back. You’ll find helpful advice and support via our 5-star customer service team and through support channels like GamCare.
Ready to play poker online?
Here’s your checklist to get started:
- Create your Bally Bet account
- Practice with our free poker tournaments
- Learn the basics and explore beginner strategies
- Stick to your budget with smart bankroll management
- Try real-money games with Cash+ Poker
- Level up when you’re ready
Frequently Asked Questions about playing poker online
Is it legal to play poker online in the UK?
You bet it is. Playing poker online is completely legal in the UK as long as you’re using a site licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Bally Bet holds a full license and operates under regulation, so you can play with confidence, knowing that your funds, gameplay, and personal information remain secure and protected.
What's the best way to learn how to play poker?
The best way to learn is to start with the basics: understand hand rankings, get familiar with betting rounds, and play some low-stakes or free games to practice. Our free poker tournaments are awesome for beginners who want to build confidence before moving to real-money games.
Can I win real money playing poker online?
Absolutely. When you play poker at Bally Bet for real money, every pot offers a chance to win actual cash.
What’s the difference between Cash+ poker and tournaments?
Cash+ games let you join or leave at any time, with chips representing real money. Blinds stay the same, and you can rebuy whenever you like. Tournaments, on the other hand, have a fixed buy-in and you play until one player wins all the chips (or prizes are awarded). Both offer great ways to enjoy online poker - it just depends on your style.
Is poker a game of luck or skill?
Unlike slots or baccarat, poker is a strategy-based casino game. Sure, landing a Royal Flush hand is lucky, but how you play is down to you.
It takes serious skill to bluff your way to a win with a Pair, folks.
Can I play poker online on my phone?
Bally Bet offers a mobile-friendly experience, so you can play poker online directly from your phone or tablet. Not keen on downloading an app? No problem. Just log in through your browser, choose your game, and start playing from anywhere.
Learn about more awesome online casino games at the Bally Bet blog, where you'll find guides and top tips from our team of casino writers. Or hit 'JOIN NOW' to skip straight to the action.
All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change.