Online Poker Guide

Online Poker is a massive hit amongst South African players and all over the world. The Poker boom started in 2003 when an amateur Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker and since then it has grown in leaps and bounds. All you need to do is apply the correct strategy to your Poker game and you’ll be able to achieve positive EV and rake in the winnings.

Check out our list of recommended Poker rooms for SA players, where you can play in ZAR:

How To Play Poker

The most popular game is the main version of Poker that is played online. The dealer mixes the standard 52-card deck skillfully. The ‘dealer button’ shifts in a clockwise direction from each to every player for each exciting hand. Poker is a popular worldwide game.

• The two players to the left of the dealer button will put a set amount of money in the pot. This is known as ‘posting the blinds’.
• Each player is now dealt two face-down cards, the ‘hole cards.’ The betting will start with the player to the left of the second blind. Each player can either fold, call or raise.
• After the first round of bets have been placed, the dealer will discard the top card of the deck, which is known as burning the card.
•  Next the flop will be revealed. This is the set of 3 face-up cards that are dealt as community cards. The players will now get a chance to bet again, and each player will check, call, raise or fold.
• The dealer will burn another card at this point and then deal a fourth community card. This is known as Fourth Street or the ‘turn’. After this, the third round of betting will begin. 
• Now the dealer will burn another card and deal the final community card, which is known as the ‘river’ or Fifth Street.

Each player will have ability to use these 5 community cards plus their hole cards in order to form the strongest possible five-card hand. Based on these hole cards, one player will choose either to raise, call or possibly fold during the final betting stage. If there are more than two players still left in the hand, the players who betted or called will reveal their cards, and then the highest hand triumphs!

Poker Varieties

• Limit vs. No Limit Hold’em Betting – The main difference between the two is the betting, because in the former there is a fixed limit to how much you can bet per round and in the latter there is no limit other than the amount of money you have in chips.
• Omaha – This is a variation of Texas Hold’em and the main difference is that players are dealt 4 hole cards and need to use exactly two of their hole cards and exactly 3 of the 5 community cards to make up their Poker hands.Get a special Omaha bonus at Mansion casino
• Seven Card Stud – Players place an ante bet, and are each dealt two hole cards and one face-up card. The player with the lowest face-up card will place a ‘bring in’ bet. Then the betting continues and more cards are dealt to each player face-up. The seventh card is dealt face-down, bets are placed, and then the showdown happens. Whoever has the highest 5-card Poker hand from their 7 cards wins.

Poker Buy-in structures

• Cash Game Poker – This is one of the most exciting forms of online Poker because it’s fast-paced with immediate payouts. Each hand is considered an independent game, so you can come and go as you please. There is the smallest amount of variance and the biggest edge. More players are able to earn consistently playing cash games than tournaments.
• Multi Table Tournament Poker – This game setup requires a lot of staying power because it will be a while before you see the rewards for your efforts, unlike in the cash games. If you persevere and play with a solid Poker strategy, you can win big payouts well worth the wait. This type of Poker is tourney style and is played at multiple tables, against multiple players. Even though the variance is higher than in cash games, this can be overcome by playing high volumes.
• Sit and Go tournament – These are usually smaller tournaments that end within a generally predictable time frame and so they are a more convenient option for those who do not have the unlimited time a multi table tournament would require. Sit and go’s usually range from one table (taking in the 40-60 minute range) to 20 tables (about 2-3 hours)  and offer a variance level somewhere in between cash games and multi table tournaments. Try sit and go’s at 888 poker

Live Casino Poker

Online poker sites will often offer satellite tournaments that offer a ticket to a live even as the main prize , poker legend and WSOP main even winner turned a 3$ investment in such a satellite into a multimillion dollar payday.In South Africa the Emperors palace in Johannesburg will host a World Poker Tour.

Final Words on Online Poker

Online Poker is a game that, once learned, gives players the opportunity to win huge amounts of money, not to mention have loads of fun. If you apply an optimal strategy, you can create positive EV and can start to win consistently. Learn how to play the game, then decide which version appeals to you the most. Also get a feel for the different game setups and see if you’re a cash game player or a tourney player.

The best way to figure this all out is to play at one of our recommended South African online casinos. Choose the best poker site, practice in free mode, and then switch to real money mode to win big!

Updated: 25.05.2025