Texas Hold’em is the world’s most popular poker game, enjoyed by millions around the world. If you’ve ever watched a game of poker on TV, chances are it was Texas Hold’em! However, you don’t need to take a trip down to your local casino to enjoy a game. Thanks to top online poker sites, you can now enjoy playing real money Texas Hold’em from the comfort of your own home!
Want to play this classic poker variation online? Check out our list of the UK’s best Texas Hold’em poker sites to find you ideal place to play. Simply compare and sign up to get started. If you want to learn more about how to play Texas Hold’em poker online, we’ve also got you covered. Read on for all you need to know, from the game rules to poker bonuses.
New Customer Offer New players only. £20 free bonus: includes $1 immediate bonus & $31 in tournament tickets. Bonus will be granted gradually throughout 7 days after claiming. Each part of the bonus expires after 24 hrs. Immediate bonus may be withdrawn after a player has accumulated 2.5 bonus points for every $1 of the received bonus amount. This offer may not be combined with any other offer. Wagering requirements vary by game 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org
How to play Texas Hold’em Poker
Texas Hold’em can seem like an intimidating game to beginners, but it’s fairly simple once you get the hang of it. The idea is to form the strongest hand possible out of the cards you’re dealt and the community cards that are dealt on the table. To start off, you need to know the different Texas Hold’em hand rankings.
Texas Hold’em hands
Here’s a comprehensive list of Texas Hold’em poker hand, ranked from strongest to weakest:
- Royal flush: 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, all of the same suit.
- Straight flush: Five cards in a sequence, all of the same suit.
- Four of a kind: Four cards of equal rank.
- Full house: Three cards of the same rank along with two cards of the equal rank.
- Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, but not in a sequence.
- Straight: Five cards in a sequence, but not of the same suit.
- Three of a kind: Three cards of equal rank.
- Two pair: Two cards of the same rank plus another different two cards of equal rank.
- Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
- High card: The highest card in your hand. This comes into play if you don’t have any other hands.
Texas Hold’em rules
Now you’ve got the hang of poker hands ranks, you’re ready to get started learning how to play. The game starts with two players making forced bets – the big blind and the small blind. The small blind is placed by the player left (clockwise), of the player in dealer positions, who is signified by the dealer button, and the big blind is placed left of the big blind. The dealer and blinds rotate clockwise after each round.
The big blind represents the minimum bet, and in most games the blinds increase at set points throughout the game. Once the blinds are placed, the cards are shuffled and each player will be dealt two cards face down.
The two first cards dealt to each player are known as the ‘hole’ or ‘pocket’ cards.
Next up is the pre-flop betting round. This is where each player decides to play the round, depending on the strength of their hand. The person with the dealer button acts first. Each player has the following options:
- Call – match the big blind
- Raise – increase the big blind bet
- Check – maintain your bet size until someone raises
- Fold – discard your hand and forfeit interest in the current pot
If one player raises, then all other players at the table will need to match the bet in order to continue playing. Checking is only an option if the bets on the table are equal to your current bet. For example, if the player with the small blind calls, the player with the big blind can check to stay in the round and defer betting rights for the time being. If a player to the left of the big blind raises, the player with the big blind will then need to call, raise of fold.
Once each player has made their move, the dealer deals three face-up community cards. Another betting round, known as the flop betting round, then occurs. Following the flop betting round, another single community card is dealt, followed by another round of betting. This is repeated once more until there are five community cards on the table.
The fourth community card is called the turn, while the fifth is called the river.
You can win poker either by betting until all other players fold, or by a showdown. A showdown takes place when all the community cards are drawn and at least two players remain in the round. Each player reveals their hand, with the strongest winning the pot.
Bluffing
One of the major elements of Texas Hold’em poker is bluffing. Bluffing is an attempt to get other players to fold by increasing bets despite not having a particularly strong hand. For example, a player with a two pair could scare a player with a four of a kind into folding by placing large bets to make it seem as if they have a stronger hand.
When playing at the dedicated online Texas Hold’em poker sites on our list, bluffing is an element of the game. In online casino poker games, bluffing is removed and you simply rely on the cards dealt in order to win.
Betting Limits
There are three main betting structure variants when it comes to Texas Hold’em – let’s take a look.
No limit
This is the most common variation of online Texas Hold’em and means players can bet or raise up to all of their chips. In No Limit Hold’em, any bet or raise must be at least equal to the amount of the previous raise. Betting all your chips is called going ‘all in’.
Limit
In Limit Hold’em, the amount you can bet each round is set beforehand and each player is limited to four bets per betting round.
Pot Limit
In this variation, players may bet or raise any amount over the minimum bet or raise up to the current pot size. The pot size is made up of the chips collected from the starting pot and previous betting rounds, previous action in the current betting round, and the call from the player making the raise.
Increase your chances by using poker strategies
Unlike casino games of chance such as slots and roulette, poker is a game in which the moves you make and the strategy you use influence your chances of winning. Knowing when to cut your losses or increase your bet depending on the strength of your hand is key to success. Of course, you can never guarantee a win since you have no control over what cards are dealt, but you can improve your chances. Check out our poker strategy guide for some top tips to help you get started playing Texas Hold’em online.
Test your skill in Texas Hold’em tournaments
Whereas poker games at online casinos are played against the house, the top UK poker sites offer a range of exciting tournaments where you can pit your wits against other players. From multi table tournaments and satellites to progressive jackpot knockouts and 24/7 sit and go cash games, there are loads of thrilling competitions to enjoy! The best Texas Hold’em online poker sites even offer you the chance to qualify for major tournaments and events such as the World Series of Poker, while some even offer free tournaments where you could win real cash prizes without having spending a penny!
The number and types of poker tournaments, as well as the prize pools, vary from site to site, so you should check this out before signing up to ensure it matches your preferences.
Bag some Texas Hold’em bonus funds
Fancy kicking off your online poker journey with a generous bonus? You’ll find loads of great deals at the top online Texas Hold’em poker sites, offering bonus funds that you can use to play online Texas Hold’em and other poker games without dipping into your bankroll. Let’s take a look at some of the best poker bonuses on offer.
These welcome bonus offers award you a bonus fund worth a percentage of your first deposit, up to a certain amount. For example, a ‘100% up to £200’ offer would land you a £150 bonus if you make a £150 deposit.
Some of the UK’s best poker sites award new players bonus funds simply for signing up! These deals are usually smaller than matched deposits, but they let you play real money poker without wagering your own money.
Promotions
As well as welcome bonuses for new players, the best UK poker sites offer a range of exciting promotions for existing players. These include reload bonuses, cashback, tournament chips freerolls, leaderboards, and the chance to win entry to special tournaments and events.
Some of 2024’s top Texas Hold’em poker sites also have loyalty and VIP schemes, where you rack up points for playing real money poker games. You can then exchange your points for a range of exciting prizes. VIP schemes also offer a range of perks as you move higher up the levels, such as high deposit and withdrawal limits, priority withdrawals and your own dedicated account manager.
Terms and conditions
Whether you’re claiming a welcome bonus, promotion or VIP reward, it’s important to read the terms and conditions, as it’s these that determine the true value of a bonus. Pay particular attention to the wagering requirements, as they determine how likely you are to turn a bonus into withdrawable cash. For example if you claim a £100 bonus with a 25x wagering requirement, you’d need to wager £2,500 before you can cash in your bonus winnings.
Other terms to look out for include win restrictions, time limits, game weighting and payment method restrictions.
Play online Texas Hold’em for free
Many of the best online poker sites offer free poker games that you can play without wagering real money. These aren’t just demo games, though – poker freerolls allow you to play real money Texas Hold’em online, free of charge! If you manage to land a win, you’ll be able to cash in real money returns rather than play money. These free poker games are perfect for beginners looking to work on their poker strategy without risking their own cash, and they also give you the chance to build up a bankroll which can then potentially be used to play at other tables and tournaments.
The cash prizes on offer at free poker games don’t match the potential winnings at other tables, but they’re the perfect way to kickstart your online poker play.
Play Texas’ Hold’em poker on your smartphone
You don’t have to be sat at home on your computer to enjoy playing online at the top poker sites. You can also play on your mobile, meaning you can enjoy a game on the go! If you’re looking for the best mobile poker experience, we’d recommend downloading a native poker app for iPhone and Android. Some of the best UK Texas Hold’em poker sites offer mobile poker apps which provide smooth and fast mobile gaming. Apps also come with the added benefit of push notifications, which means you’ll always be alerted to the latest bonuses, promos and tournaments!
While some poker sites require you to download a native app to play on your mobile, others offer instant play games that you can play via mobile web browsers.
Deposit and withdraw with your preferred methods
It’s important to find a top Texas Hold’em online poker site that offers your preferred payment method. This won’t be a problem if you want to deposit with a debit card—-this is available at all sites—-but players looking to use PayPal, paysafecard or phone bill payment options like Boku will need to double check the accepted banking options before signing up.
Wondering how to deposit at online poker sites? Follow these simple steps:
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Head to the cashier and select your preferred payment method.
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Enter your desired amount and hit confirm.
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Your deposit will be processed instantly.
As well as checking the accepted banking methods, you should also read up on the minimum and maximum limits to ensure they match your preferences. Don’t forget to check the withdrawal times, either. Some of the UK’s best Texas Hold’em poker sites offer fast payouts to e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill, meaning you can get speedy access to your poker winnings!
Getting started at a Texas Hold’em Poker Site
Wondering how you can play Texas Hold’em online? Follow these simple steps.
- Compare poker sites
Our list of the best online poker sites that offer real money Texas Hold’em makes it easy to find your perfect place to play. Simply compare the bonuses and key features of each operator and pick out the one best suited to you.
- Sign up
Once you’ve chosen a top Texas Hold’em poker site, click on the ‘claim bonus’ link to take you to the sign up page. Creating an account only takes a minute or two, though you may need to provide identity documents to verify your account after registering.
- Download
Most poker sites require you to download their poker software to enjoy the full experience, so hit the download button and then sign in once it’s finished.
- Deposit and claim your bonus
Head to the cashier to make your first deposit. The top online poker sites a range of banking options, so simply select your preferred payment method, enter your desired amount and hit confirm.
- Play
These very best poker sites offer a huge selection of games and poker rooms to play at, so browse what’s on offer and take your seat. Now the fun begins – Enjoy!
If you’re looking for the most realistic, immersive poker experience available online, you’ll want to take a seat at a live dealer Texas Hold’em table. You play against the house – a real croupier, alongside a number of other players trying to beat the dealer’s hand.
Live dealer Texas Hold’em combine the buzzing atmosphere of brick-and-mortar casinos with the convenience of playing via desktop or mobile, thanks to a live stream from purpose-built studios and in some instances, even real land-based casinos. Plus, with real casino equipment in play, you’ll be able to see and hear all the sight and sounds associated with poker gameplay.
Live dealer gameplay is almost exclusively reserved for real money players, so if you’re looking to try poker for free, you’ll have to settle for RNG gameplay.
Sign up to play poker!
Now we’ve taken you through the ins and outs of Texas Hold’em, all that’s left to do is find the perfect place for your poker play. Look no further than our list of the UK’s top online Texas Hold’em poker sites, where you can compare the bonuses and key features of each site. Simply compare and sign up to play Texas Hold’em online!
Try out these other poker variants
Top Best Licensed Poker Sites for UK Customers:
| Casino |
Our Score |
Downloadable Client |
Other Offerings |
Licence |
|
|
86% |
Yes |
Sport, Bingo, Casino |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
81% |
Yes |
Sports, Casino |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
93% |
Yes |
Sport, Bingo, Casino |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
87% |
Yes |
Sport, Bingo, Casino |
UK Gambling Commission |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All of the online poker sites on our list are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which guarantees fair gaming. Online poker games use random number generators (RNG) to determine the outcomes, so you can rest in easy when you playTexas Hold’em at our recommended licensed poker sites.
This depends on the site you choose to play at. While some poker sites are download-only, others offer instant play games. Keep in mind that even at sites that have an instant play option, you may be required to download the poker software in order to enjoy all of the site’s gaming options.
If two or more players end up with the same best hand, the pot will be split equally between them. However, keep in mind that the hands have to be the exact same value. For example, two players could both have a pair, but a pair of Kings will beat a pair of eights.
In poker, a buy in is an up-front payment for entering a tournament. The buy in contributes to the prize pool and also contains a fee, known as a rake, that is paid to the house.
No. When you play Texas Hold’em online against other players at poker sites, there’s no house edge in Texas Hold’em – it all comes down to your strategy. There’s only a house edge when you play against the house. Casino Hold’em, the online casino variation based on Texas Hold’em, has a house edge that typically ranges from 2% to 2.5%.
