Internet poker sites are great fun and there is the real chance of winning cash prizes from the pot. This
guide is intended for beginners to help them start a game with a bit of knowledge.
Types Of Poker Games
Game Tournaments: There are two types - conventional tournament games where you have one chance to win and
once you have lost your poker chips you are out of the game. There is also rebuy eliminated tournament poker games where
players who have lost can pay to re-enter the poker game. These games suit experienced players and those who spend
a long time online playing poker games.
Single Table Cash Games which are played against other cash competing players. These do not have an entry
fee and does not commit players to long games. This would suit new players and those with limited time to play online,
though experienced poker players do hang around waiting for a good hand.
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Placing A Bet
Some online poker websites will allow you to play poker for free (some even give you cash prizes if you win)
while you find your way around the site and the tables. A list of poker websites that do this and also offer matched
bets when you deposit chips can be found
on our poker games page.
Some sites do have a minimum starting ante and a minimum deposit to your online account. This is to safeguard
funds to winners and this will benefit you when you win. Some sites such as
Jackpotjoy
and Virgin Poker
have games as low at 5 pence.
Single table cash games usually have two forced antes when the deal has gone all the way round the table. It
is recommended that you know what the stake value is before you start the game. It could be as low as 5 or 10
pence, but could be £5 or higher. This information can be found at the table information section on the poker
website.
Tips
Even online poker players need a poker face to avoid their tell. Someone who clicks their mouse at a fast
speed may be showing experienced players that they have a good or a bad hand. Try and vary your speeds and the
way you play and try and monitor the playing pattern of your opponents.
Winnings
Game Tournaments: Pots from multi-table tournaments can be big due to the high volume of players, even if
the ante is low. Having many players rebuy themselves into the tournament can increase the pot further. It
is usually the top 9 winning players who get to share the pot, though with bigger pots from a Worldwide internet site
the number of winning players who get a share can increase.
Single Table Cash Games - The top three players will win a percentage of the pot. The top player will
win 50% of the pot, the second player will win 30% and the third player will win the remaining 20%.
Winnings from poker games with a betting limit may give out less in the pot to the winners, but players have the
assurance of not getting carried away in games and paying out more than they can afford.
No limit games allow you to bet as many chips as you want.
Legal Requirements
You must be over 18 years old to play online poker. You will also need to have a credit card to pre-pay before
you play.
Some sites may ask for further identity checks.
UK Winnings should be declared to the Inland Revenue as a form of income and you will have to pay income tax. You
should keep any proof of evidence of winnings to aid your self assessment.