One of the most popular card games, poker can be enjoyed at online and physical casinos. Poker is a skill-based game, which means players can develop and apply strategies to boost their chances of success. So, before you play the best online poker in Australia, here are a few tips to help you improve your skills.
1. Understand the basics
Many players like to start with Texas Hold ‘em, as the rules are straightforward and this variant of the game is played at most online casinos. In Hold ‘em, players are dealt two face-down “hole” cards and must make the best five-card hand from these, plus five face-up community cards. Other variants have their own rules and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the game before you play (and commit money). Many online casinos offer free play options, so you can practice with no-value credits before betting any of your own funds.
2. Learn the hand rankings
Before you can play poker with confidence, it’s important to learn the different hand rankings, as this can help you decide on your strategy. Hands in poker range from a simple High Card to the rare Royal Flush. More advanced players can even learn to predict or take an educated guess at their opponents’ hands. As they develop, committed players also learn the odds of success of each hand. Watch poker on television or online and you’ll often see the on-screen graphics expressing the percentage chance of each player winning the active hand.
3. Be selective in the hands you play
Professionals and advanced amateur players fold (or “muck”) far more hands than they play. Again, it is about learning the hands with the best chances of success and watching how your fellow players act. Most experienced players adopt a “fewer hands played aggressively” approach. If you choose this approach for both really strong hands (such as Ace, King) and more speculative hands (such as a pair of sixes), you can leave your opponents guessing as to what you’re holding.
4. Pay attention to the other players
One of the downsides of playing online poker games is that you cannot discern other players’ body language or “tells”. However, what you can do is look at their betting patterns. For example, if a player who bets low amounts suddenly aggressively raises on a hand, this is a clue that they either have a great hand or that they’re bluffing. You can then either fold and cut your losses or play on if you feel you have a better hand or can out-bluff them.
5. Stick to your level
People who take poker seriously and want long-term success treat the game as a learning opportunity. Part of this involves spending time learning the game at lower levels. Texas Hold ‘em is stated in two amounts, for example $1/$2, which refers to the betting amounts during each round (plus the value of the blind, the small, forced bets paid by two rotating players before each hand). The higher the stakes, the more you risk. No-limit Hold ‘em allows players to bet any amount, so it’s easy to get drawn into big value hands against more experienced players.
