Online Poker Australia
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Poker comes in many forms online: multi-table Texas Hold'em tournaments, casino poker games played against the house, and the fast-paced video poker machines found in every casino lobby. This guide explains each type, what has changed for Australian players in recent years, and where you can still play poker for real money today.
Types of Online Poker
Player-versus-player poker is the classic form: Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Seven-Card Stud played in cash games, sit-and-gos and scheduled tournaments against other people, with the site taking a small rake from each pot. Casino poker is different. Games such as Casino Hold'em, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold'em pit you against a dealer with fixed pay tables, so there is no bluffing and no other players to read. Video poker sits somewhere in between: a solo, five-card-draw game where skill in choosing which cards to hold has a real effect on your long-term return.
Online Poker Rooms and Australian Players
Amendments to Australia's Interactive Gambling Act that took effect in 2017 led most of the large international poker networks to stop accepting Australian players. Today the poker options available from Australia are mainly casino poker variants and live dealer poker tables at the online casinos we review, rather than traditional peer-to-peer poker rooms. Always confirm a site's terms and licensing before you deposit.
Casino Poker Games You Can Play
- Casino Hold'em: you and the dealer each receive two cards and share five community cards; beat the dealer's hand to win. Our live dealer Hold'em page covers the live-streamed version in detail.
- Caribbean Stud: a five-card game against the dealer, usually with an optional progressive jackpot side bet.
- Three Card Poker: quick rounds, two bets (Ante/Play and Pair Plus) and a simple strategy of playing any hand of queen-six-four or better.
- Video poker: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Joker Poker. See our video poker guide for pay tables and strategy.
Basic Poker Strategy Tips
Whatever the format, a few principles carry over. Learn the hand rankings until they are automatic. In casino poker, follow the published optimal strategy for each game; it removes guesswork and keeps the house edge as low as the rules allow. In video poker, choose full-pay machines (9/6 Jacks or Better, for example) and play the maximum coins to unlock the full royal flush payout. And in every format, manage your bankroll: decide what a session is worth to you before you sit down, and stop when you reach that figure.
Playing Poker on Mobile
All of the casino poker and video poker games above are available on smartphones and tablets. Live dealer tables stream in portrait mode with a touch betting panel, and video poker's simple hold-and-draw controls suit a small screen perfectly. See our mobile casinos guide for device-specific advice, or compare real money casinos to find a site with a strong poker selection.
Responsible Gambling
Poker rewards patience and discipline, and the same qualities protect your bankroll. Set deposit and loss limits, never chase losses, and remember that casino poker games carry a built-in house edge no matter how well you play. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Australians still play online poker for real money?
Player-versus-player poker rooms largely withdrew from Australia after the 2017 changes to the Interactive Gambling Act. Casino poker games such as Casino Hold'em, Caribbean Stud and live dealer poker, along with video poker, remain available at the online casinos we review.
What is the difference between casino poker and regular poker?
In casino poker you play against the dealer with fixed pay tables and no other players, so there is no bluffing and no rake. In regular poker you compete against other players and the site takes a small rake from each pot.
Which casino poker game has the best odds?
Ultimate Texas Hold'em played with optimal strategy has a house edge of about half a percent of total money bet. Casino Hold'em is close behind, and full-pay video poker can return over 99%.
Is online poker legal in Australia?
The Interactive Gambling Act prohibits operators from offering online poker to Australians but places no offence on players. Casino poker variants are offered by offshore casinos in the same legal position as their other games.
Can I learn poker for free online?
Yes. Casino poker and video poker games are available in demo mode at most casinos, and hand rankings and basic strategy charts are freely available. Practise until the decisions are automatic before betting real money.