Cash Games
If you're new to online poker, it might surprise you to hear that cash games can be the best place to take your first steps. It's vital to take a look at how poker cash games evolved, how they're played and how to navigate your way around the lobbies and tables of the best online casinos.
Online poker began in IRC chat rooms, with players typing commands and no graphics. Then in 1998, Planet Poker launched the first major platform on which gamblers could bet real money on the outcomes of their poker games.
By July 2002, around 1,400 active players were accessing the major poker sites every month. The numbers steadily climbed as online poker's popularity grew, and more and more competitor sites appeared offering a wide variety of games for players to try. Now, millions of people play online regularly and billions of dollars are bet in online games every year.
Recommended Cash Games Sites
- 1
Established 199718+ | UK new players only • Full T&C apply • Bonus will be granted in Tournament Tickets gradually over 7 days after the claim date • Each Tournament Ticket will expire 24 hours after it was granted • Deposit bonus: • First deposit only • Min. deposit $10 • The bonus will be granted in $10 chunks subject to wagering restrictions of 100 Bonus Points per chunk • Bonus wins are capped at $650 • Valid for selected games only, when playing Casino • Wagering req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • BeGambleAware - Full Terms Apply.'Online Poker Operator of the Year' 2022Unique BLAST & SNAP Fast-Fold GamesSatellites to Exclusive Online XL SeriesNEW888Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings30xPayout Time
The usual withdrawal processing time1-3 DaysRakeback
Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?YesWSOP Satelites
Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?YesHome Games
Can you set up private online poker games with friends?YesWith over 10 million registered members, 888poker is one of the world’s largest poker networks and they also have their own live circuit featuring some of the most prestigious poker events in the world, with destinations such as London, Barcelona and Bucharest. - 2
Established 199718+. UK. New players only. Deposit min £10 to get 100% deposit bonus (up to £400). Must accumulate 4 x deposit bonus in points to release in full, within 90 days. Bonus is released in 10% increments. Additional £70 credited as P$ and tickets (credited over 9 days). Restrictions and T&Cs apply.Official Partner of F1 McLaren Racing TeamPoker Ambassadors Kevin Hart & Carl FrochEarn up to 40% Cashback Every Weeknot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings4xPayout Time
The usual withdrawal processing time1-2 DaysRakeback
Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?YesWSOP Satelites
Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?YesHome Games
Can you set up private online poker games with friends?YesOne of the pioneers of online poker, PartyPoker was once the world’s biggest poker site and they still host huge online tournaments such as the prestigious MILLIONS series - with a $1million guaranteed main event, plus satellites to PartyPoker live events.
- 3
Established 201418+ T&Cs Apply. Welcome Bonus promotion for new players only; minimum deposit required. Please Play Responsibly. www.begambleaware.orgLargest Online Poker Site in the WorldWorld Series of Poker™ Official PartnerExternal Tools & Tracking Software Blockednot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings1xPayout Time
The usual withdrawal processing time1-3 Working DaysRakeback
Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?YesWSOP Satelites
Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?YesHome Games
Can you set up private online poker games with friends?NoGG Poker offers award winning features include EV Cashout, Snap Cam, NFT Avatars and Squeeze Cards. You can also play online with GGTeam Pro Players Daniel Negreanu, 'ElkY' Grospellier and Jason Kroon.
- 4
Established 200218+. New customers only. Nickname required. £10+ deposit = 5 x £5 tickets and 30 x £50 freeroll tickets. £10+ deposit = 100% pending bonus. Max £200 bonus. Bonus released with point accumulation. 90 days to accumulate points. £5 Tokens valid for 14 days. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org - Full Terms ApplySit & Go Leaderboards with Daily PrizesMyGame Whiz - Personal Poker CoachUp To 40% Automated Weekly Cashbacknot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings1xPayout Time
The usual withdrawal processing time3-5 DaysRakeback
Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?YesWSOP Satelites
Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?NoHome Games
Can you set up private online poker games with friends?NoAt Coral Poker you can qualify for big online and live poker tournaments, including the Irish Open and UK Grand Prix, plus the high roller MILLIONS tournament series.
- 5
Established 200718+. T&C ApplyOnline Home of the Grosvenor UK Poker TourQualify for 'National Poker League' Events'Loyalty Club' - Earn Up To 40% Rakebacknot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings1xPayout Time
The usual withdrawal processing time1-3 DaysRakeback
Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?YesWSOP Satelites
Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?NoHome Games
Can you set up private online poker games with friends?YesGrosvenor Poker can reasonably be called the home of UK poker, with exclusive satellites to live events taking place at Grosvenor Casinos across England, Scotland & Wales, including the GUKPT and the biggest live poker tournament in Europe - the Goliath.
- 6
Established 2001€365 bonus is redeemed in instalments based on Status Points earned. Tickets and prize wheel spins expire after seven days. Time limits, exclusions and T&Cs apply. For more information about this offer please visit the website. 18+. New players only. Gamble responsibly. http://www.gamblingcare.ie/. - Full Terms Apply63 Million Customers in Over 150 CountriesRegular Tournament Series EventsTwister Sit & Go's with Jackpot Prize-Poolsnot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings30xPayout Time
The usual withdrawal processing time1-3 DaysRakeback
Does this poker site refund a portion of your rake or offer cashback for poker loyalty points?YesWSOP Satelites
Can you enter satellites for World Series of Poker™ event packages?NoHome Games
Can you set up private online poker games with friends?NoBet365 Poker offer regular Cash Games, Sit & Gos & Tournaments, plus premium tables where you'll play exclusively against Bet365 players only. They also provide 24/7 customer support.
Cash Games Poker Tips
What are Poker Cash Games?
Poker cash games are non-committal tables in which players wager real money on a game-by-game basis and can leave at any time, exchanging their chips for cash. They can be the best introduction for beginners, or experienced players new to the online environment, because they involve a real financial risk.
Betting play money often leads to a gung ho approach that might not translate to cash games. They also allow players to bypass the long run-times and expensive or complicated buy-in procedures of tournament poker.
Hands
The most important thing to know in any poker game is how the winner is determined. Winning hands are ranked as follows:
- One Pair | two cards with the same face value
- Two Pairs | two sets of two cards with the same face value
- Three of a Kind | three of the same face value card
- Straight | five sequential cards of different suits
- Flush | five non-sequential cards of the same suit
- Full House | a pair and three of a kind
- Four of a Kind | four cards of the same face value
- Straight Flush | five sequential cards, all in the same suit
- Royal Flush | the sequence of ten to ace, all in the same suit
If no player has any of the above hands, the highest card wins (aces are counted as high). High cards also determine the winner in the event of a tie.
Poker Rules
In all poker games, a marker (known as the button) indicates the last player to bet. The person to his or her left must place a fixed minimum bet (the big blind) and the player to their left must place a bet of half that amount (the small blind). Betting progresses clockwise until every player has acted, then the next round begins.
However, specific rules change between poker variants, which include:
- Texas Hold’em Poker | Players are dealt two cards that only they can see. Five community cards are revealed in three stages, each of which is accompanied by a round of betting. Players then make the best five-card they can, including at least one of their two original cards.
- Omaha Poker | Players are dealt four cards that only they can see, before five community cards are dealt in a series of betting rounds. Players must then use at least two of their own cards to make the best hand possible.
- 7-Card Stud | Players are dealt seven cards, three face up, two face down, and betting progresses over five rounds. Two more cards are dealt to each player. Their best five cards make the winning hand.
- 5-Card Draw | Players are dealt five cards. They then place bets before discarding some, all or none of their cards. Replacement cards are dealt and each player must use them to make their best hand.
- Hi-Lo | Sometimes combined with Omaha or 7-card stud, Hi-lo poker requires players to use seven cards to make two hands. Their five best cards make the big hand and the next best pair make the small one. A stake is wagered on both hands.
Table Variations
Top poker sites also offer a range of table options, which determine how gameplay progresses. Key considerations are:
- Limits | Pot limits set fixed maximum increments for each betting round. No-limit tables allow players to raise the stakes as high as they like.
- Table Size | Most online poker tables allow for six players, but many variations cater for larger or smaller numbers.
- Timing | As an extra feature, many tables set time limits for how long a player can deliberate over a hand.
Special Features
Poker clients differentiate themselves in various ways. Some function on downloadable software and are an excellent choice for speed and stability, though they take up hard drive space. Others are in-browser, which is more flexible. Many poker sites also offer apps or mobile browser sites for smartphone and tablet users.
Additional features, such as chat functions, the ability to make notes, viewable game statistics and the option to see the game history can all play a big part in making poker cash games both enjoyable and profitable. Check which of these a site has on offer before committing to play.
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Authors
Hi, I'm Lee James Gwilliam
"With over 10 years as a poker player and 5 in the casino industry I’m here to share my experience and passion."
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Reviewer since February 2016
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