Poker is without doubt one of the most popular and symbolic games across the world. It symbolizes high stakes games of skill, with two or more sets of wits pitted against each other in winner-takes-all style showdowns. Behind its surging popularity is online gaming, which has transformed the game from the reserve of the cowboy and the high rollers to that of the man on the street, who thanks to a computer and a broadband connection can access a huge variety of different poker games in online casinos.

Texas Hold ‘Em

Texas Hold ‘Em, or simply just Hold ‘Em, is the most popular form of poker game online. A community card game (a game in which players compete against each other rather than the “house”) that has shot to fame following the press and television surrounding the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour, Hold ‘Em requires players to make up a five card hand out of two hidden “pocket” cards and five community table cards, shared by every other player. In the context of free casino games, players receive free chips for rounds or tournament buy-ins, dependent on the promotion offered. Such prizes that grant buy-ins to the World Series of Poker and other big tournaments effectively democratize the game to allow anyone with the skill the chance to face down legends of the table.

Draw/Stud Poker

Older than Texas Hold ‘Em, these two forms of the game have slipped in terms of common popularity. However, any bonuses offered by casinos will allow free chips to be bet in games of Draw or Stud, and a smaller pool of opponents means that there is a greater opportunity to excel.

Draw poker is a variation that allows players to discard unwanted cards and “draw” new ones once betting is completed. Stud poker differs in that players are dealt “streets” of cards, out of which they must form a hand. The nuances of each of these varieties of the game require a greater appreciation of poker strategy on the part of the players, so for newcomers practice rounds are essential.