A Guide to Live Casino Poker Online
There is nothing quite like the experience of playing against a dealer in a digital environment and live casino poker online is one of the most popular ways to do this.
Offering all of the thrills and realism of being in-person, this is the casino game of choice for many. So, if you’re looking to experience the quickfire action for yourself, be sure to keep reading our total guide to the best live poker games.
Best Sites for Live Casino Poker Online
Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best live poker casinos where you can enjoy a fantastic selection of games and some great bonuses. Simply choose your favourite and click the respective link to get straight to the heart of the action.
- Exclusive Slotsia offer
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- Minimum deposit of €20
- 30x wagering
- Four deposit bonuses
What Exactly Is Live Poker?
Terminology can be rather ambiguous at times, which can lead to potential confusion. The term live poker is a prime example as it can be taken to mean either player versus player action in a live environment or, alternatively, the collection of games where players go head-to-head with a dealer in a live casino setting. For the purposes of this guide though, we’ll be covering the latter option.
Essentially, you can find a wide range of live poker games in the live casino section of any top casino. These are often variants of popular games, which streamline the gameplay to allow more hands per hour but still follow similar rulesets to games such as Texas Hold’em. The key difference, though, is that at a live casino poker online you’ll be playing against the dealer for a chance to win fixed odds payouts.
The Rules of Live Poker
Given the range of live poker variants, you’ll need to be aware of their respective rulesets before playing as there are subtle differences when it comes to your betting and playing options. Thankfully though, most games utilise a standard poker hand ranking system so as long as you understand the basics you’ll be well-equipped to take on the dealer.
In games such as live 3-card poker, you must place a mandatory Ante bet before the cards are dealt. After examining the cards, you can then choose to either make a Play bet, which must be equal to your Ante, or fold. If you choose to continue, the dealer must have at least ‘queen high’ to qualify and if that’s the case it’s simply a matter of comparing the hands as per traditional poker rankings to determine the winner.
How To Play at a Live Casino Poker Online?
Before you get started, you’ll first want to decide which live poker variant you want to play. After choosing your preferred game, it’s simply a matter of navigating to the site’s live casino section, selecting the right table and taking a seat. From that point, you simply select your preferred stake and follow the betting rules throughout each hand. If you win, you’ll instantly receive a fixed odds return based on the game’s betting/payout rules.
Basic Poker Hands
The following table outlines the traditional poker hand ranking system used in most live poker games, from best to worst.
| Hand | Example |
| Royal flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 suited |
| Straight flush | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 suited |
| Four of a kind | J, J, J, J, 8 |
| Full house | 10, 10, 10, 7, 7 |
| Flush | 4, 6, 8, J, K suited |
| Straight | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 any suit |
| Three of a kind | 8, 8, 8, 2, Q |
| Two pair | 3, 3, 5, 5, 8 |
| Pair | Q, Q, 2, 5, 6 |
| High card | K, 4, 7, 9, 10 |
Live Poker Terms
- Ante: A mandatory bet placed before receiving your cards.
- Qualify: The minimum ranking hand required to continue playing.
- Play Bet: A bet placed to compare hands to determine the winner.
- Side Bet: An optional bet you place for a chance to win a fixed odds return.
Various Live Poker Games
Given how popular poker has become in recent years, it’s hardly a surprise that the term no longer refers to one specific game. Instead, it now relates to multiple live variants that players can freely enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. As such, we’ve briefly outlined some of the most popular live poker games below that are commonly available at most casinos.
3-Card Poker uses a single 52-card deck that’s shuffled after each round. Players place an Ante bet to start the hand and then three cards are dealt to both the player and the dealer, the player’s face-up and the dealer’s face-down. You then must choose whether to continue by placing a Play bet, equal to your Ante bet, or fold. The dealer then reveals their cards and the best hand wins. The dealer’s hand must qualify with a Queen or higher. If the dealer does not qualify then the Play bet is returned and the Ante bet is paid at even money.
18+ | T&Cs Apply | Be Gamble Aware
Played with a single 52-card deck, live Casino Hold’em Poker is a heads-up game where multiple players simultaneously go head-to-head with the dealer using a single hand. Placing an Ante bet puts you into the hand with 2 pocket cards and a look at the flop. You must then decide whether or not to place the Call bet to continue playing and see the Turn, River and the dealer’s cards. If successful, payouts vary depending upon the quality of your winning hand.
Each round of Caribbean Stud begins by placing an Ante bet, after which point the player is dealt 5 cards face-up and the dealer receives the same number of cards but with only one dealt face-up. The goal here is simple, form a better 5-card hand than the dealer to win. Once the cards are dealt, players can choose to call by placing a 2x Ante bet or fold. The dealer then reveals their hand and announces the winner.
Why Should You Play at a Live Casino Poker Online
Choosing to play poker at any of the best live casinos rather than at a land-based site provides you with plenty of fantastic benefits. Not only is there a wide array of great variants that are instantly accessible but you’ll also be in the best position to earn rewarding online casino bonuses and offers. Most variants also offer a selection of side bet options, which you can utilise to improve your potential returns – some games even have progressive jackpots that can net you a life-changing payout!
How Do I Play Live Dealer Poker Online?
Nowadays, playing live dealer poker couldn’t be easier. All you need to do to get started is select an online casino that has a catalogue of live dealer games, select your preferred live poker table and take a seat. In most cases, you won’t even need to wait for a seat to open up as most live poker games are played head-to-head against the dealer, which means an unlimited number of players can play simultaneously. You simply select your preferred stake and follow the betting rules of your chosen variant in an attempt to beat the house.
Is It Possible to Play Live Poker on a Phone?
Technology has always been the driving force behind the growth of the online casino market, and considering how the industry must adapt to the latest demands it should come as no surprise that you can just as easily play live poker on the smaller screen.
There are hundreds of mobile casinos that now offer the same fantastic selection of games on both smartphone and tablet, meaning you can play whenever and wherever you have a stable internet connection. All of the games are fully optimised for mobile play, with intuitive UIs allowing you to follow the action with a few taps or swipes of your device’s screen.
So, to answer the question, yes, you can play live casino poker online on any device. Whether you prefer Android casinos or iPhone casinos, you will have plenty of options and we have suggested multiple casinos towards the top of this page.
Where to Play Live Casino Poker Online
Playing live dealer poker is the best way to replicate the thrill and ambience of a real-life casino hall. The dawn of widespread superfast Internet has meant that, for many players, this is the only way to play a game of poker. Given that it comes in a variety of forms, it is sensible to choose your next casino carefully.
Below we have analysed four of the best options around to help you find the best fit for you needs.
Caxino
Caxino is an extremely user-friendly casino option and from the homepage you can easily browse the plentiful live dealer section. They have deals with the biggest names in the industry, including Evolution. The games are divided into relevant sections, including game shows. When it comes to live poker, Caxino has multiple lobbies to enter; this includes Casino Hold’em and Jacks or Better Draw Poker.
Other key strengths of this casino include the fact that it is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, has a responsive live chat, and offers plenty of speedy payment options. Read our full casino review.
18+. New players only. Minimum qualifying deposit of €20. 35x wagering requirement. The Welcome Offer includes 500 free spins given over the course of 10 days, 10 free spins each day for each of your first five deposits. Free spin values for the Caxino Welcome Bonus are worth €0.10, and there is a maximum cap of €1,000 from winnings on these spins. Full terms and conditions apply. Always gamble responsibly.
Thunderpick
Another superb option for playing live poker online is Thunderpick. There are well over 100 different live games to play, and with poker this includes Evolution’s flagship lobby. Ezugi’s Russian Poker – which has some interesting options such as as buying and exchanging cards – is offered for a unique experience.
This is an option that will certainly appeal to modern casino players, with Bitcoin and Ethereum among the cryptocurrency options for deposits and withdrawals.
18+. New players only. Bonus subject to 40x wagering. 100% deposit bonus up to €2,000. Full terms and conditions apply. BeGambleAware.org.
BC Game
BC.Game is another crypto casino option that is ideal for playing live poker. It is one of the fastest-growing iGaming brands and has seen a huge growth in popularity with players in recent years, including winning multiple awards.
We enjoy the user experience at the site – whether you are playing on mobile or your laptop, the homepage is easy to navigate with plenty of filter options. There are also plenty of exclusive titles that you cannot find anywhere else and regular promotions that extend beyond the welcome bonus.
18+. New players only. Minimum qualifying deposit of $10 (or equivalent). Receive up to $20,000 (in BCD) credited to Rakeback. Bonus unlocked based on wagering activities in casino and sports games, calculated as wager x 1% x 20%. Full terms and conditions apply.
Royal Fortune
Last but by no means least, Royal Fortune is an excellent live poker online casino. Though there is undoubtedly a focus on live blackjack games, the site still has a massive lobby with games most made up from Evolution and Ezugi.
Additionally, there is a promotions page that has plenty to offer players and is regularly updated. Should you prefer to play on your smartphone, there is not a dedicated mobile app, but the casinos is fully optimised for the small screen.
18+. New players only. Up to €3,000 + 50 Free Spins across first three deposits. Free spins are for the Gates of Olympus slot. €20 minimum deposit. 35x wagering. Full terms and conditions apply. Always gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
What Are The Differences Between Live Poker and Online Poker?
Once again, certain terminology presents itself to cause potential confusion. Here, although live poker and online poker may seem like two ways of saying the same thing, there are several key differences to be aware of, which we’ve outlined in the table below.
Live Poker
- Player vs. dealer gameplay
- Unlimited number of seats
- Available at most online live casinos
- Streamed in real-time HD visuals
- Side bet options and progressive jackpots
Online Poker
- Player vs. player gameplay
- Limited number of seats per table
- Only available at dedicated poker sites
- Often a digitised UI and display
- Cash games, tournament play and sit and gos
Top Live Poker Game Developers
One of the key factors behind the rising popularity of live casino titles such as poker is that certain game developers have committed to delivering cutting-edge games that even the most discerning players can enjoy. Industry specialist Evolution has long been the industry’s frontrunner, but many other studios have begun to throw their hat into the ring as of late, including the following:
- Evolution
- Pragmatic Play
- Ezugi
- Microgaming
- Playtech
- Vivogaming
Poker Live Casino: Summary
We hope that this guide to live casino poker online has been useful in helping you understand what makes it one of the most thrilling gambling experiences possible. One of the main strengths is that it is widely available, with basically all online casinos offering live poker in multiple forms, with hold ’em perhaps the most well-known.
If you are ready to try if for yourself then we suggest that you make a note of the poker hands and terms that we listed here and head to one of our recommended sites to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Live poker has many different aspects to consider – below are some common questions and answers.
No, all live poker games must undergo a rigorous testing process before release to meet fair play standards and strict regulatory requirements. Furthermore, all of the live dealers must pass a strict training regime before becoming eligible to host any live poker games.
Yes, that’s the ultimate objective of each hand. Depending on your chosen variant, to beat the dealer you must have a higher-ranked hand at the end of the round. If successful, you’ll receive a fixed odds return along with any additional winnings from side bets you placed before the start of the hand.
Like any other online casino game, it’s possible to win money playing live poker. Your primary goal is to beat the dealer in a heads-up scenario to earn a payout, whilst you can also place optional side bets to increase your payout potential.
