Best Live Dealer Poker Casinos for Texas Hold’em
Saddle up, partner – you’re about to learn everything there is to know about live dealer Texas Hold`em Poker. The origins of poker can be traced back almost 1000 years, with many-a-variation of the game introduced throughout the ages. And you can learn how to take advantage of the skills, techniques, and play styles moulded over time by reading this quick guide to Texas Hold’em.
Best Online Casinos to Play Live Dealer Poker
Min Deposit: AU$5 
Min Deposit: AU$5 
How to Play Live Dealer Texas Hold’em Poker
Contrary to the belief of many outsiders, live dealer Hold’em is a simple game. You and the dealer are each dealt two cards – and whoever forms the best hand wins.
Notice that we do not mention other players. You see, live dealer casino Hold’em pits the player against the dealer rather than fellow poker players.
Your job is to beat the dealer’s hand by comparing your cards with the ‘community cards’. Community cards are the cards that are laid out on the table by the dealer for everyone to use. If one of your cards matches up with one of the community cards, you have a pair. If three cards match, you have three of a kind, and so on.
Here’s a quick step-by-step breakdown of casino Hold`em rules.
- The dealer gets two cards and deals you two cards.
- You place an ‘ante’ bet (obligatory).
- You can choose to place a ‘bonus bet’.
- Three initial community cards will be placed face-up (The Flop).
- The dealer now places a bet.
- You can choose to call (match the dealer’s bet) or fold (forfeit the bet).
- ‘Calling’ the dealer’s bet will lead to another community card being dealt (The Turn).
- If you call the dealer’s next bet, a final community card will be dealt (The River).
The dealer will win if their hand matches or beats a pair of fours and outranks your hand.
You win if your hand is better than the dealer’s hand. There is no minimum winning limit for players.
Advantages of Live Casino Hold’em
Playing live poker Texas Hold`em at a live dealer casino comes with many advantages – many of which are not available in ‘normal’ poker rooms at online casinos.
Check out the table below to find several major advantages that come with playing live dealer casino hold’em. These advantages apply to virtually all online casino poker rooms you will come across.
Advantages of Live Casino Holdem Poker:
- Casino Hold’em live dealer only wins with pair of 4’s or better
- Easier to calculate payouts in casino Hold`em
- Real-time interaction with the live poker Texas Hold`em dealer
- More time to strategise due to slower casino Hold`em games
- Beginner friendly for inexperienced poker players
Types of Live Casino Hold’em Games
There are three different types of live dealer casino games when it comes to poker. This means you have plenty of options to choose from when you want to play casino Hold’em.
Ultimate Hold’em
Ultimate Hold’em is Texas Hold’em with a twist. In this poker game, you can raise the dealer’s bet (put more money on the line) upon each betting round. It’s all about probability – so keep your wits about you!
Casino Hold’em
This is the base version of live Hold’em.
The dealer gives you two cards, you compare those cards against the community cards to form the best possible hand. If the live dealer beats your hand and has a pair of fours or better, they have a winning hand.
Live Hold’em Pro
Unlike another live dealer Texas Hold`em poker games mentioned thus far, this popular Texas Hold’em poker title is available for download to your mobile device. Developed by Appchi Media, Live Hold’em Pro is a poker game with no house edge that can be played wherever you are, whenever you want.
Ranking Texas Hold`em Live Poker Hands
Whether you’re a fish, whale, or professional online casino Texas Hold’em player – one thing about live games remains the same for everyone.
The ranking of casino Hold`em hands.
Royal Flush
A straight consisting of the five most valuable cards from the same suit.
- Community cards – 10s, Ks, Js, 8h, 7h
- Your cards – Qs, As
- You have a Royal Flush from 10s – As
Straight Flush
With a ‘Straight Flush’, the cards must be in numerical order and come from the same suit.
- Community cards – Ad, 2d, 5h, 4d, 6s
- Your cards – 3d, 5d
- You have a Straight Flush of Ad – 5d
Four of a Kind
Match four Texas Hold’em cards of the same value across your dealt hand and community cards. Here’s an example.
- Community cards – 3, 3, 10, A, 9
- Your cards – 3, 3
- You have four 3’s to form Four of a Kind
Full House
Get ‘One Pair’ and ‘Three of a Kind’ in one betting round to acquire a ‘Full House’.
- Community cards – 2, 6, 10, 10, J
- Your cards – 10, J
- You have a Full House of three 10’s and two J’s
Flush
You can get a ‘Flush’ by matching five cards from the same suit.
- Community cards – 5h, 4h, 10d, Jh, As
- Your cards – Qh, 8h
- You have a Flush of five Hearts
Straight
When your hand matches with the community cards in numerical order (e.g. 8, 9, 10, J, Q), you have a Straight.
- Community cards – 2, 3, 4, 9, Q
- Your cards – 5, 6
- You have a Straight from 2 – 6
Three of a Kind
Match three casino Hold`em cards of the same value across any suit to get ‘Three of a Kind’.
- Community cards – 10, 7, 5, 5, 2
- Your cards – 5, J
- You have a Three of Kind of 5’s.
Two Pair
If two different matching cards show up on the community cards – you have ‘Two Pair’.
- Community cards – J, 10, 3, 2, 5
- Your cards – J, 10
- You have a pair of Jacks and Tens.
One Pair
If you match two cards – either from the community cards or within your dealt cards – you have ‘One Pair’.
- Community cards – A, J, 9, 2, 3
- Your cards – A, 7
- You have a pair of Aces.
High Card (Kicker)
When you have the same hand as the dealer, the winner is decided by the next best card.
If you and the Texas Hold`em live poker dealer match hands but your next best card is an Ace and theirs is a Jack – you win.
5 Tips for Live Casino Hold’em
- Use bluffs (but not too often). Try to make the live dealer think you have a better hand when you actually have a poor one. Be unpredictable.
- Know when to fold. Don’t continue betting just because you’ve made it to the River.
- Look out for other hands that could form a winning combination. Decide whether to continue with your hand based on the number of other possible combinations.
- Have a Texas Hold’em strategy. Use live Texas Hold’em charts to see which hands to use.
- Interact with the live casino dealer. The online casino dealer is friendlier than you might think.
Different Variations of Hold`em Live Poker
Such is the popularity of live dealer casino Hold’em, sites try to cater to all interests. This means you can enjoy your favourite versions of casino Hold`em while playing online at top live dealer platforms.
Limit Hold’em
There are two rules that set Limit Texas Hold’em apart from other variations of poker offered at any good real money online casino in Australia.
- You can only bet up to four times per betting round.
- There is a limit as to how much a bet can be raised.
While this may feel restrictive, Limit Texas Hold’em is actually a lot of fun.
Pot Limit Hold’em
Like Limit Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Casino Hold`em places limitations on certain aspects of the live casino game. There is a maximum amount of money that can be added to the pot. Once this limit is reached, players are not allowed to place further wagers. However, there are no restrictions on bet sizing or the number of times you can bet with this version of casino Hold`em.
No Limit Hold’em
The shackles are off. No limits. No restrictions. All money.
Bet as much as you want, as often as you like, and take home pots as large as can be. No Limit Texas Hold’em is the most popular variation for a reason: players want to feel like they can win the greatest amount of money possible.
Live Dealer Games You May Like
Aside from live poker, top casinos in Australia also provide a range of other live dealer options. For instance:
Live Dealer Casino Hold'em - FAQs
What is Live Casino Hold’em?
Live casino Hold`em is a game played with an unlimited number of players - all of whom are pitted against the dealer. The dealer wins with a pair of 4’s or better. Players win with any hand that beats the dealer.
Do I need a good internet connection to play live Hold'em?
Yes, a reliable internet connection is required to play Live Texas Hold’em at online casinos. Otherwise, you might not be able to interact with the dealer or place bets.
What are the live casino Hold’em payouts?
This depends on the poker casino games you play and the live casino you’re playing at. In general, stronger hands payout greater amounts while weaker hands return smaller winnings.
Can you take cash from the table when you play casino Hold’em?
No, you cannot take a portion of your winnings from the table before leaving the Live Texas Hold’em game. This is poor etiquette and against the rules at most live casinos.
What are suits used for in live casino Hold`em poker?
Suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Spades and Clubs) are used to create matching combinations when playing live dealer Hold’em. This includes forming a Flush, Straight Flush, or a Royal Flush. In short: suits help you to win in live dealer Hold’em.
What is the difference between standard online Hold'em and live dealer Hold'em poker?
In standard online Hold’em, players face off against one another. In live Dealer Hold’em, the live casino dealer is your rival. You can interact with the dealer in live Texas Hold’em - a feature not included in standard games.
