Top Online Poker Sites in Australia 2024

James Gompertz | Updated On: October 23, 2024

Looking for the perfect real money casino to play online poker? You’ve struck gold! Enjoy this skill-based game for real money at the best online poker sites for Australians, all tried and tested by our experts. Our guide provides tips on the best hands, and different game variations.

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Best Online Poker Casinos in Australia - December 2024

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Rank Casino Name Bonus Amount Star Rating Details Launch date Minimum Deposit Actions

1. Hell Spin Casino

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2. Rickycasino

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3. Bizzo Casino

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4. Ozwin Casino

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5. SkyCrown Casino

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How to Play Poker Online

There are a many variations to online poker, but the general rules tend to stay the same. The aim of the game is to be the last player remaining, or to win at showdown by having the strongest hand of all the remaining players.

For classic poker, the rules are:

  • One standard deck of 52 cards is used
  • Each player is dealt five cards from the deck
  • Players check their hands
  • Bets are placed
  • Players can choose whether they want to keep their cards or discard some of them
  • Dealer deals cards to players who wish to discard – keeping five cards in the hand
  • Players bet on their hands
  • The betting continues until either all players fold (end their participation in this round) or someone wins in a showdown

What is really important is to understand which poker hands rank highest.

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Poker Hand Rankings

In poker, understanding which hands rank best is critical. Whilst you may be able to maintain a poker face, you need to know which cards to discard, which to keep raising on, and when to fold. Learn these hands and you’ll be on a certain path to success.

Remember, in poker, Ace is high.

We’ve shown the hands in order of highest to lowest ranking.

Royal Flush A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit. The hardest hand to get.
Straight Flush Five sequential cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind Four cards of the same face value.
Full House Three cards of the same value and a pair of another value
Flush Five cards of the same suit – cards not sequential
Straight Five sequential cards, different suits
Three of a Kind Three cards of the same value
Two Pair Two cards of the same value, two cards of another value
One Pair Two cards of the same value
High Card No winning combinations present, so highest card in hand wins

Poker Variants

No matter which online poker site you choose to play at, you’ll find lots of variations on the game of poker. We take a look at some of the most common poker games you’ll find online.

TEXAS HOLD' EM POKER

Texas Hold’em

In every round, each player is dealt two “hole” cards fade-down, as well as five face-up “community” cards. The game progresses as follows: a series of three cards (“the flop”), an additional single card (“the turn”), and a final card (“the river”). After betting, the community cards can be used by the players to add to their hole cards and make a full hand.

Omaha Poker online

Omaha

Omaha is very similar to Texas Hold’em, with the key difference being players get four hole cards instead of two. However, as with Texas Hold’em, they’re only able to use two of those four cards to make their hand – they must use three of the community cards. Many poker sites offer a version of Omaha called Omaha Hi-Lo, a version of Omaha where players compete for both the high and low ends of the pot.

7 card stud

Seven Card Stud

When Texas Hold’em struck big, 7-card stud fell out of fashion. However, it’s still a popular poker variation among Aussie players. As the name suggests, each player receives seven cards (three face down) to make a hand. As 4 cards are visible to other players, it makes betting a whole different game.

Pai Gow poker

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow goes one better by using a joker in addition to the standard deck. With seven cards, players need to make two hands: a high-scoring standard poker hand (big hand), and a two-card hand (small hand). With the small hand, players are aiming for a pair, aces being the best.

5 card draw

5 Card Draw

Australian online poker players receive a five card hand and have at least one chance to exchange (draw) cards. One of the simplest forms of poker, it follows the standard winning hands ranking. The number of draws is determined in each game.

Caribbean stud poker

Caribbean Stud Poker

It’s you and the other players against the dealer, not each other in Caribbean Stud. It shares the same hand ranking as standard poker. The dealer has to have a qualifying hand, so there are more chances of winning something with a poor hand in this poker variation.

Video Poker

Video Poker

In the area between poker and pokies is Video Poker. The reels drop the cards and if your ‘hand’ is a winner, then you’ll see your account start to fill up.

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Top Tips for Playing Online Poker in Australia

As with many card games, there’s an element of luck as well as skill and strategy involved in playing poker. Here are our experts’ top tips for playing online poker in Australia.

Learn the game

Learn the version of poker you’re playing. There are basic rules apply but different games have variations in the play.

Learn the winning hands

Learn the winning combinations. Our experts recommend you hold cards that could make a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, three of a kind or two pairs.

Play for free initially

Play for free so you’re comfortable with how the game and site are played before betting real money.

Don’t chase higher ranking hands

If you’re holding a straight flush – 9, 10, J, Q, K – don’t throw the 9 hoping for an Ace and royal flush.

Maximise any bonuses

It’s worth researching which sites have the best casino bonuses, and making the most of them.

Be patient

Prepare for long sessions and avoid distractions. Be patient, and wait for that good hand.

Different Forms of Betting

It’s not just the variation of the game itself that you’ll find at the best online poker sites in Australia. There are also different forms of betting, the most common of which we’ve detailed below.

No-Limit Poker

These games do not restrict the size of bets. The only criteria is the bet must be at least the same as the minimum bet or the last bet placed on the table. You can also go ‘all-in’ – bet all your stack – at any time.

Fixed Limit Poker

As you would imagine, these poker games allow only a specific size of bet for each round. They do increase each round, but within the pre-set limits.

Pot-Limit Poker

Large wagers are still possible in pot-limit poker, but the restraint is players can only make bets or raises equal to the size of the pot. This prevents players going all-in at the start of play.

Value Bet

When you’re holding a less than perfect hand, you bet to pressure your fellow players into folding. When you have what you think is the best hand at the table and you want one of the players to call, you place a value bet.

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Mobile Play

Like many other casino games, online poker can be played on the move on your mobile device. Casinos allow you to play through the browser or an app, whether your mobile is iOS or Android.

One of the most important factors is ensuring you have a good internet connection. You may also want to keep an eye on your data plan if you’re playing a tournament whilst on the go.

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Banking Options at Poker Sites

No matter which poker site you choose, there are many deposit options available, typically including credit cards, eWallet services, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

All the sites we recommend offer safe and secure payment methods from top names in the financial world. Generally, there are few fees for deposits, but some sites may charge for withdrawals, particularly if you’re making a bank transfer.

When it comes to withdrawals, every poker site is different. The payout speed of your winnings might only be a few hours, but it could be up to a week or more. Remember to always read the terms and conditions of whatever site you choose to play.

The only thing left to do is hit the poker tables and join your fellow Australian poker players!

 

Glossary of Poker Terms

  • All-In

    When a player says they’re going ‘all-in’, it means they are wagering all of their available chips into the ‘play, for that round.

  • Ante

    This is the money in the prize pool. It’s sometimes known as ‘the kitty.’

  • Bet

    Bets are taken in a clockwise order. If there’s no wager already on the table, betting can start.

  • Blind

    A forced wager placed by players on the left side of the dealer. Sometimes, there’s also a big blind. The blinds exist because Omaha and Texas hold ’em are often played without antes, allowing a player to fold without placing a bet.

  • Call

    A player can only call if there has been a bet on the current round. Calling is matching the current bet made by other players.

  • Check

    If there has not been a wager yet made, a player may check.

  • Deuce

    A name that refers to a two, which is acting as a Wild.

  • Fold

    To close your hand, thereby forfeiting the rest of the round.

  • Multi-Hand Poker

    A game where players get dealt more than one hand per round.

  • Paytable

    A table that shows players the possible payouts in the game.

  • Pot

    The total bets wagered by players during a session. The money goes to the winning player.

  • Raise

    A player can raise the amount of the bet in the current round. For example, if there’s a bet of $5, then the player can raise to $6.

  • Wild

    A card that can stand in for other cards. Used to create a winning combination.

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How legal is online poker in Australia?

Interactive Gambling Act 2001

In 2001, the Interactive Gambling Act became law in Australia. That law made it illegal to operate an online gambling site within Australian borders. However, Australian players can still play online poker in Australia via an offshore operator. The law is aimed at operators – not players.

2017 Amendments

In 2017, the law was updated to try and close some of the loopholes. The Australian Senate passed the Interactive Amendment Bill; however, it is still easy to find online poker sites for Australian players.

Point of Consumption Tax

The Australian Capital Territory government has, since January 1st, 2019 implemented a point of consumption tax of 15% for all online gambling services. Operators are responsible for paying the P.O.C tax on all net betting revenue, regardless of their locations.

Use accredited and licensed casinos

Despite the Australian government’s gambling regulations, players of online poker in Australia can still access real-money poker games, via off-shore online casinos. Even though they’re off-shore, the casinos are audited and give Aussie players great customer support. At Pokies.info we only recommend licensed and regulated sites.

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Online Poker FAQs

Do I have to download software to play online poker in Australia?

Some online casino may require you to download software to play poker and other casino games, such as pokies and Blackjack. However, at most poker sites, you can play through your browser.

Do online poker sites offer bonuses for Aussie players?

There will be various bonuses available depending on which site you use. With so many online poker sites, each will be trying to stand out from the rest. That’s good news for Aussie players with better bonuses, such as the welcome bonus, improving over time.

Which poker games can I play online?

Playing online poker in Australia isn’t going to limit your options. In fact, you’ll find every variant of poker available, from Texas Hold ‘Em to Omaha and Stud Poker.

Are there any age restrictions for online poker?

You need to be at least the age of 18 to be able to legally gamble in Australia. If you choose to play online poker, you’ll need to prove your age. In most cases, this is sending a scan of your passport or driving licence.  You could be locked out of your account if the site thinks you’re under 18.

What is the rake in online poker?

The rake is the percentage the casino takes out of each pot. It’s how the site makes money as it doesn’t compete directly against the players. Most online poker sites take 5% or less of each pot as the rake. The rake is usually capped at a maximum amount, regardless of the pot’s size.

Are there free poker tournaments online?

When you sign up to play online poker, part of the welcome bonus may be access to new player free roll poker tournaments. These can and do offer real money prizes.

Are video poker and live dealer poker the same?

No, they are different ways of poker. Live dealer poker is like a real-world casino experience, with a dealer you can interact with. Video poker, meanwhile, is uses a RNG instead of a real dealer.

Can you play online poker in Australia with a VPN?

Yes, Australians can use a VPN to play online poker and other casino games. It is important you choose a reputable VPN service provider.

Can I play online poker for free?

Many online casinos offer online poker for free. This allows you to test out new variations and practice your poker strategy without losing any money. Once you’re confident you can move to live dealers and play for real money.

Can you play real money poker online in Australia?

Yes, it is possible to play online poker if you’re based in Australia.

Is online poker legal in Australia?

It is not illegal for Australian players to play online poker. However, the Interactive Gambling Act does mean it is illegal to offer online poker service within Australia.

How to play online poker in Australia?

The best way to play online poker in Australia is to check out our recommended casino lists. Then simply click through to the casino site, sign up, make a deposit and start playing.

What is the best online poker site for real money?

There are a number of top online poker sites for real money, which you choose to play at would depend on your preferred poker variation. Our casino reviews list which games are available, bonuses and much more.

How many different versions of Poker are there?

There are many variations of the game of poker, but they broadly fall under three categories: stud, community and draw poker. The best online poker sites for Australians will have a variety of the card game on offer.

Where can I play online poker in Australia?

At Internet Pokies we have a great selection of casinos, all tried and tested, where you can play online poker. Check out our recommended sites.