What is the card game that is about to take first place in all the charts? Who is BlackJack’s main competitor? Poker, of course! And since the game is available online. There are dozen of online poker rooms and online casinos where players can challenge themselves.
If you were always interested in this game and want to try your skills online, let’s look at how to play online poker in Australia.
Introduction
Let’s begin with the poker games. What is it, how to play, and why is the game so popular?
The card game is a game of skill more than chance. Sometimes it’s doesn’t matter how good is your hand if you can convince your opponent that you have the best cards. So it’s both mathematical and psychological entertainment. Still, everything is different when it comes to video poker strategy.
But is it possible in online gambling? It depends on the game type you select: live with the dealer, player vs player, or video poker. There is a considerable difference between them. Here in the article, we’ll overview both of them and find the answer to the question: can you play online poker in Australia?
Most Popular Poker Games in Australia
Australians are in love with this card game. Even the slot games they call pokies, and this word is built up from poker. That’s not only about love but about slot machines’ history, too. But we’ll talk about it in another article. So here, let’s return to Texas Hold ‘em and others.
What kinds of these games do Australian gambling lovers prefer the most? They are:
- Texas Hold ‘em
- Video poker
- 3 card poker
- Razz
- Stad
- H.O.R.S.E
All these variations differ, and all have their nuances. But the core idea is common for all: to get the best combination to beat the opponent.
Poker Hand Rankings
When it comes to winning combinations, it’s better to know the hand rankings. So here we’ll describe the most common of them from weakest t strongest.
- High cards. It’s not even a combination, but it can save you if nor you, nither your opponent has a strong hand. For example, player #1 has Jack in hand, and player #2 has Ace. Player #2 wins.
- Pair — it’s when you have two cards of the same kind in hand. Like, two Queens or two 10’s. But if your opponent has the pair, too? The best hand is where the pair is higher. So two Queens beat two 10’s.
- Two pairs. For example, two Kings and two Jacks in one hand. The higher cards, the more chance to win.
- Three of a kind. Yep, the description is apparent. However, on this hand, you need to find three cards of one kind.
- Straight hand it’s when you have a sequence, even if the suit differs.
- Flush is when all cards in your hand have the same suit but no sequence.
- The full house is two combos in your hand: pair and three of a kind.
- Straight flush — the sequence of cards of the same suit.
- Royal flush is the sequence of A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
The core of hand ranking is a chance to get the combination: the lover chance, the more valuable hand is.
Poker Game Types
Coming back to types, we can tall about three of them:
- video poker
- game with the live dealer
- player vs player.
Let’s find out what’s the difference is between them.
Video poker is a variation of poky, where the player’s opponent is AI. RNG determines the hand, and the player tries to beat the computer to win the round. There are a dozen video poker variations available, including multi-hand. And Australian government does not prohibit this game type.
Poker with the live dealer — are real money games, where the opponent is the real person, a casino worker. We may consider the interim stage between video poker and player vs player games.
And the last one is when you compete with a real person like you. Here is where your mat and bluff skills are required.
Recommended Poker Strategy
There is to 100% winning strategy, and your action depends on the current game situation every time. Still, there are some recommendations, to begin with.
First, do not try to win player-vs-player-game if you don’t know rules and hands perfectly. Start with video poker. It’s much cheaper, so you can use it for your first exercise.
When you become convenient, the live dealer game. Feel the difference, try to find the main difference between pokies and games with the person. Here you can try different variations and find the most suitable for you.
And only then may you try the online table with real players.
Current Climate of Online Poker in Australia
Since 2001 online poker Australia legal status has been questionable. And till now, there is two opposite point of view: some state that game should be prohibited when others want to legalize it. Both sides have their reasons; that’s why the theme is still controversial.
Answering the question if you may play online poker Australia legally — unfortunately, no. The best we can say the game is in a grey zone since some brands are offering mobile poker or online poker rooms via VPN.
And what about video poker? It’s the only version not prohibited by the Interactive Gambling act since it is classified as a poky game.
Interactive Gambling Act 2001
Interactive Gambling Act is an online poker Australia law issued in 2001 and prohibits poker games in online casinos. The Act is valid for now, but most players hope it will be overviewed and allow some game. Gamblers are interested in the game, and the restriction cannot hold them back from playing. So the government loses their money when players enjoy the game in offshore poker rooms.
How to Start Playing Online Poker
To play poker, you can find video poker games in Australian casinos. There is always a section of table games for those who are tired of pokies. There you may find hundreds of titles where you can try your luck vs AI. However, you may try real poker using a VPN to access international casinos banned in Australia.
FAQ
Is it legal to play poker in Australia?
You can play video poker in Australia freely. However, real games with live dealers or players are banned in the country.
Is a VPN required to play online poker in Australia?
It depends on the game’s kind. You don’t need it if you prefer video poker.
Are video poker and live dealer poker the same?
No, they are different. Video poker is a slot game when live dealer poker is a real casino card game in the live section.
