Newcomers to the game can enjoy free poker games on several different platforms. The sites on the following list offer free poker online, with no deposit or any kind of money commitment required.

Here’s a look at the best places to find free poker games online:

ClubWPT Gold

A sweepstakes poker site backed by the World Poker Tour (WPT) brand, ClubWPT Gold is a newer option for those looking to learn the game or just play for fun.

For more on this new site, check out our in-depth ClubWPT Gold review

Not to be confused with PlayWPT, the “Gold” version is a separate browser-based site that offers No-Limit Hold’em ring games and multi-table tournaments. You can choose to participate using play money (“gold coins”) or virtual currency called “sweeps coins” that you can eventually redeem for real cash prizes. Neither option requires an initial deposit to get started.

There is no dedicated ClubWPT Gold mobile app as of yet so you will need to go to ClubWPTGold.com to sign up.

Enter your personal details and promo code UPSWING2 when signing up to receive free sweeps coins (SC) and qualify for special freeroll tournaments.

Navigate to the wallet or “coin exchange” to purchase or claim more free gold coins (GC). If you click on “daily login rewards,” you can claim a set amount of free GC (and bonus SC) every day, with additional bonuses available for seven days of consecutive logins.

At the top of the home screen or lobby, you can easily toggle back and forth from SC to GC mode.

If you’re looking to stick to play money only, be sure to keep the GC option selected. Both modes allow you to try out ring games and MTTs against real opponents in most US states, and also offer freeroll tournaments with chances to stack up more of the virtual currency of your choosing.

PlayWSOP.com

WSOP, perhaps the world’s most famous poker brand, offers free poker online through its PlayWSOP platform. The free poker site is available as a no-download desktop client, with a quick one-click sign up process if you want to use your existing Facebook or Google account to register.

PlayWSOP.com is also available as an app download for mobile devices. Apple iOS users can find PlayWSOP in the App Store, while Andriod users will find the app in the Google Play store. PlayWSOP is also accessible on Amazon Kindle Fire.

After signing in to PlayWSOP, the platform gives you the option of having a virtual dealer take you through the basics of poker. PlayWSOP offers both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha as free poker games, and you can practice your skills in both cash games and tournaments.

Replay Poker 

Replay Poker offers free poker online in a package that very much resembles the world’s top real-money poker sites. The platform features a variety of “cash game” stakes that allows you to practice your bankroll management skills, with the site’s most skilled players awaiting at the top tiers of the play-money cash game ladder.

The Replay Poker platform offers No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Royal Poker, a version of Short Deck Hold’em with only tens through aces in the deck. 

Players can access Replay Poker with no download required, but note that the client isn’t compatible with the Internet Explorer browser. The desktop version stands as the only way to enjoy the platform, as no mobile app for Replay Poker has been released as of yet.

Zynga Poker

One of the longest-running platforms offers free poker online, Zynga Poker offers free poker games on a no-download desktop client. Like some of the other choices on our list, Zynga Poker requires just a one-click sign-up process if you use your Facebook or Google account details to sign up.

Zynga Poker presents the chance to play in free “cash games,” Spin & Wins, and Sit & Go single table tournaments. Zynga Poker’s games are free to play, but you can also buy play money chips at any time.

In addition to the desktop version, Zynga Poker can also be played on a downloadable app for both Apple and Android devices.

PlayWPT

Watch any World Poker Tour broadcast and you’ll no doubt see plenty of commercial time dedicated to the PlayWPT free online poker site. PlayWPT offers No-Limit Hold’em cash games, tournaments, and Sit & Gos.

The vibrant visual interface of WPT makes the platform one of the more aesthetically appealing places to find free poker online. Upon sign-up, the platform starts you off with play money credits, but you can also buy more chips for the free games at any time.

The PlayWPT platform is available as a browser-based client, and also as an app download for Apple iOS and Android devices.

247poker.com

The 247poker platform offers free poker online as more of a brain game versus the other free poker sites on our list. When you sign in for a session, 247poker allows you to pick among easy, normal, hard, or expert difficulty.

From there you’re instantly taken to a six-max No-Limit Hold’em game where you’re pitted against five AI opponents. 

The 247poker platform is perhaps the most efficient way to use a free online poker site as a training tool for real-money games. The more difficult levels of 247poker feature challenging AI opponents.

The post What is the Best Free Online Poker Site? (Top 6 Reviewed) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

While you can still play tournaments and ring games for “Sweeps Coins” which are redeemable for real cash, these poker sites also offer the option of a free-play mode, meaning you never have to risk your own money to play in poker games should you choose not to.

In this guide, we break down how online sweepstakes poker sites work, as well as where and why they’re available to American players.

How sweepstakes poker sites work

Sweepstakes poker plays much like traditional online poker, offering popular variants like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The key characteristic that sets sweepstakes poker sites apart from real-money poker platforms is the option to play without depositing any of your own money.

On these sites, you have the option to participate in a free-to-play mode using Gold Coins* (GC) or with Sweeps Coins* (SC), which can eventually be redeemed for real cash prizes at a ratio of 1 SC to $1. You can also easily toggle back and forth between the two different virtual currency modes.

*Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins are the names used by ClubWPT Gold. Other Sweepstakes poker sites may use different names, such as Sweeps Cash, but the general idea is the same.

Another signature feature of sweepstakes online poker sites is that you can earn more SC through gameplay, as bonuses when purchasing Gold Coins, and even through promos like welcome offers or social media giveaways. Some sweepstakes poker sites also allow players to send mail-in requests for additional bonus Sweeps Coins.

These alternate modes of entry (AMOE) are actually a core reason that such sites are allowed to operate in so many states.

Are sweepstakes poker sites legal?

Sweepstakes poker sites operate under sweepstakes laws, which allow companies to offer real-money prizes through promotional contests. Because players only technically play poker games using one of two virtual currencies, the sites are classified as sweepstakes gaming platforms, rather than real-money ones which must apply for licenses to operate in real-money iGaming states. Another key element of these sites is that they do not require a purchase in order to participate because of the free-to-play mode option and AMOEs.

Some popular sweepstakes poker brands in the U.S. include ClubWPT Gold, Global Poker, and Stake.us. Each of these sites offers a dual-currency system and the ability to win cash prizes through poker tournaments and ring games. They do differ in terms of exact offerings, number of games, and tournament schedules and prize pools. Also, while sites like Global Poker and ClubWPT Gold allow purchases through debit and credit cards, Stake.us requires purchases and redemptions via cryptocurrency.

Where can you play sweepstakes online poker?

While all of these sites are available to players in most states, there are a handful of jurisdictions that do not allow online sweepstakes gaming sites. For that reason, some of the sweepstakes poker sites are restricted from players residing in Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Kentucky, Vermont, Nevada, Connecticut, and New York.

As this list varies with each site and is subject to change, it’s crucial that you check the terms and conditions of any online poker site before you sign up to make sure it is available to players in your state. It’s important to note that most of these sites specify in their T&Cs that it’s the customer’s responsibility to avoid playing on the site from any of the designated restricted states.

Why so many players are choosing sweepstakes poker sites

More and more poker players are flocking to online sweepstakes poker sites as they provide an entertaining option that is available to players in far more states than traditional poker sites. They also provide a unique opportunity for both casual and seasoned players to enjoy poker games against other players for free or for low investment with a chance to win potential prizes.

Because not every state permits online poker sites operating under the sweepstakes gaming model, it’s important for players to verify local regulations (see: sweepstakes laws by state) before participating.

The post What Is Sweepstakes Poker & Is It Legal? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

As poker pro Doug Polk put it, “It’s like hopping in a time machine back to 2008.” For value hunters, ClubWPT Gold offers plenty of opportunities to grow your bankroll with chances to win prizes redeemable for cash.

It’s also one of very few legitimate online poker sites available to USA-based players (in most states).

I created a ClubWPT Gold account and tested it out to write this in-depth review and guide for getting started. Here’s what I’ll cover:

• What is ClubWPT Gold & Is It Legit?
  • Sweepstakes Poker 101
  • How to Get Free Sweeps Coins (Redeemable for $)
• What Poker Games Can You Play on ClubWPT Gold?
  • Cash Games on Gold
  • Tournaments on Gold
• ClubWPT Gold Bonus Details
• Pros and Cons of ClubWPT Gold
• Key Tip for Winning on ClubWPT Gold
• Final Verdict

We recommend taking a straightforward, sound strategic approach to maximize your advantage in some of the softest online cash games and multi-table tournaments available since before Black Friday. Below, we’ll guide you through our recommended approach and everything you need to get started at ClubWPT Gold.

What Is ClubWPT Gold & Is It Legit?

ClubWPT Gold is a new internet poker site born from the World Poker Tour (WPT) brand. As many seasoned poker fans recall, WPT helped fuel the early 2000s poker boom by broadcasting poker tournaments with hole card cameras.

Now, this respected international poker brand backs ClubWPT Gold, a social sweepstakes poker site available in every U.S. state except Washington, Michigan, Montana, and Idaho.

With such a well-known and trusted brand backing the site, it’s fair to say ClubWPT Gold is legitimate. The poker site also offers some of the lowest rake of any poker site for micro to small-stakes cash games.

Note: The rake is fair for mid-stakes and relatively high for high stakes. See the FAQs below for the rake structure.

Despite some early-stage software shortcomings, ClubWPT Gold is clearly committed to improving its product with strong backing from the WPT. 

The company has already demonstrated its commitment to major promotions, kicking off with a $5 million live freeroll at the 2024 WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. They also quickly lowered high stakes cash game rake after receiving player feedback that it was too high. That kind of customer service is something you rarely see from major poker sites.

Sweepstakes Poker 101

ClubWPT Gold follows the sweepstakes gaming model, which has grown in popularity due to its accessibility and the opportunity to play for real cash prizes or in virtual currency mode (play mode). These sites function similarly to traditional online poker platforms but with key differences that we’ll explain in detail in this guide.

Like other sweepstakes-based gaming sites, ClubWPT Gold operates under sweepstakes laws originally designed for promotional giveaways and drawings.

In recent years, this law has been adapted to support a unique model of online gaming where players technically do not need to deposit money to play casino or poker games from their computer or smartphone.

Gold Coin package options on ClubWPT Gold

Sweepstakes poker sites include social gaming elements, such as a play mode where players can participate without risking real money. The “Gold Coins” (GC) mode is great for beginners or those looking to practice before playing for real stakes.

Players can also choose to play in “Sweeps Coins” (SC) mode, which can be redeemed for real money prizes. After wagering your SC at least once, you can request a redemption to the same debit or credit card used for deposit. The minimum redemption amount is 20 SC.

Coin Exchange screen on ClubWPT Gold

How to Get Free Sweeps Coins (Redeemable for $)

Another perk of sweeps poker sites like ClubWPT Gold is that players can earn Sweeps Coins for free through various methods, including:

• Social media contests and giveaways
• Bonus rewards included with GC package purchases
• Mail-in requests
• Promotions like the 1,000,000 SC Gold Rush Freeroll
• Recurring freeroll tournaments on the site

What Games Can You Play on ClubWPT Gold?

While ClubWPT Gold continues to expand its offerings, it includes many of the same features as other real-money and sweepstakes poker sites but with unique twists and room for improvement.

Cash Games on ClubWPT Gold

Cash game grinders will appreciate ClubWPT Gold’s eight-handed tables, with stakes ranging from 0.05/0.10 to 5/10, running regularly.

All games feature an ante, which incentivizes looser play and increases potential win-rates for good players.

The cash game lobby on ClubWPT Gold

Players can also find three-blind cash games, such as 0.20/0.50/1, which create even more action.

A cash game with 3 blinds (0.20/0.50/1) and an ante on ClubWPT Gold

Tournaments on ClubWPT Gold

The tournament selection is extensive for small-stakes players, with a growing slate of good-value mid-stakes MTTs. Tournament buy-ins start as low as 1.10 SC, with frequent freerolls and other promotional events available.

The tournament lobby on ClubWPT Gold

Currently, the best value for mid-stakes grinders is the 110 SC Sunday Deepstack, which boasts a 200,000 SC guaranteed prize pool and runs at 7 PM ET. Like most tournaments, it allows up to five re-entries per player, leading to loose play in early levels — an opportunity for skilled players to capitalize on.

As a newer site, ClubWPT Gold currently offers only No-Limit Texas Hold’em (NLHE), though more variants may be added in the future.

Many U.S. real-money poker sites attract top-tier competition full of strong players, but ClubWPT Gold remains a relatively untapped market. For now, the site draws casual and recreational players, creating lucrative opportunities for savvy or experienced players.

ClubWPT Gold Bonus

ClubWPT Gold is currently taking qualifiers for a huge freeroll, and this time you could be taking home a piece of an SC 1,000,000 prize pool.

Play the Gold Rush Ticket Freerolls every day from May 18 – July 6 to win your ticket. If you win multiple tickets, you’ll start the freeroll with a bigger stack.

Sign up for ClubWPT Gold using promo code UPSWING2 and play in those Gold Rush Ticket freerolls every day.

Pros and Cons of ClubWPT Gold

As a newer poker site, ClubWPT Gold has some functional limitations, such as allowing play on only one table at a time and offering limited filters for cash games (with none yet for tournaments).

There is currently no native ClubWPT Gold app for desktop or mobile, making some features—like the bet slider—less user-friendly, especially for mobile players.

Despite these shortcomings, which developers are actively addressing, ClubWPT Gold offers some of the best value for experienced players and some of the softest games available. We also expect the site’s quality, player pools, and prize pools to grow over time.

Current pros and cons of playing at ClubWPT Gold:

Key Tip for Winning on ClubWPT Gold

To increase your chances of winning on ClubWPT Gold, focus on selecting games with loose and splashy opponents. You can easily identify these players by monitoring the built-in stats for opponents and target players with high VPIP numbers.

VPIP = voluntarily put money into pot. In other words, how many hands you play preflop.

The very short guide to beating these players: tighten your open-raising range and reduce your bluff frequency. If you want deeper strategic advice for winning in loose and splashy games, check out this podcast episode or this article.

Final Verdict: Should You Join ClubWPT Gold?

Despite its shortcomings, which are typical for a newer site in beta mode, ClubWPT Gold is still worth trying. It provides value for new players seeking to learn or play for fun with little to no financial investment, as well as for more experienced players looking for small- to mid-stakes games with chances to win real cash prizes.

The site currently lacks in software and functionality. But it compensates with soft competition. Thanks to its sweepstakes poker model, ClubWPT Gold attracts a high volume of casual and recreational players, making it an entertaining and potentially profitable site for savvy players seeking to capitalize or simply enjoy fun, loose-action poker.

For players looking to check out the action, you can sign up with promo code UPSWING2 today to and earn your place in the 1,000,000 SC freeroll. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rake on ClubWPT Gold?

Here’s the rake structure listed on ClubWPT Gold’s player support documentation as of April 1st, 2025:

What states are eligible to play ClubWPT Gold?

Residents of the following US states with a valid photo ID are eligible to play on ClubWPT Gold:

What states are not eligible to play on ClubWPT Gold?

Residents of the following US states are not eligible to play on ClubWPT Gold:

Can people from outside the USA play on ClubWPT Gold?

No, only residents of the United States of America can play on ClubWPT Gold.

There’s reason to believe Canada could be added to the eligibility list down the road — Canadians were marketed to during a major campaign at the end of 2024.

Because a valid photo ID proving you’re a US resident is required to play on ClubWPT Gold, residents of countries in Europe and Asia are out of luck.

Can you play for real money on ClubWPT Gold?

The short answer is yes.

ClubWPT Gold uses a sweepstakes model that allows players to win real cash prizes using Sweeps Coins (SC). You can redeem SC for U.S. dollars at a 1:1 ratio once you’ve played them at least once.

Can you play for play money on ClubWPT Gold?

Yes. ClubWPT Gold has two modes: Gold Coins (GC), which are for fun/play money, and Sweeps Coins (SC), which are redeemable for cash. GC games are great for casual play or practice.

How do you redeem Sweeps Coins for real money?

Once you’ve wagered your Sweeps Coins at least once, you can redeem them for real cash. The minimum redemption amount is 20 SC. Simply go to the Coin Exchange within ClubWPT Gold to redeem your Sweeps Coins. Redemptions are typically processed back to the card you used to make your initial GC purchase.

Is ClubWPT Gold legal in New York?

Yes. ClubWPT Gold is available to players in New York under sweepstakes gaming laws. You don’t need a traditional gambling license to play since it’s not a real-money site in the traditional sense.

It is possible New York will pass legislation that changes things for players on ClubWPT Gold. But as of March 2025, New York players can log on and play.

Is ClubWPT Gold legal in Texas?

Yes, players in Texas can legally access ClubWPT Gold. The sweepstakes model allows ClubWPT Gold to operate in Texas without violating local gambling laws.

It is possible Texas will pass legislation that changes things for players on ClubWPT Gold. But as of March 2025, Texas players can log on and play.

Is ClubWPT Gold legal in California?

Yes. ClubWPT Gold is fully available to players in California. It’s one of the biggest states for sweepstakes poker, and many players from CA take advantage of the soft games and real cash prizes.

It is possible California will pass legislation that changes things for players on ClubWPT Gold. But as of March 2025, California players can log on and play.

Is ClubWPT Gold legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida players are welcome on ClubWPT Gold. As a sweepstakes-based site, it’s legally accessible across nearly the entire U.S., including Florida.

It is possible Florida will pass legislation that changes things for players on ClubWPT Gold. But as of March 2025, Florida players can log on and play.

How do you sign up for ClubWPT Gold?

To sign up, go to ClubWPTGold.com, enter promo code UPSWING2, and create your account.

Once you purchase a GC package ($19.99 or more), you’ll receive Sweeps Coins and qualify for special freeroll tournaments.

Can you multi-table on ClubWPT Gold?

Not yet. Currently, ClubWPT Gold only allows you to play at one table at a time. Multi-tabling support may be added in the future as the platform evolves.

What poker games can you play on ClubWPT Gold?

ClubWPT Gold currently offers No-Limit Texas Hold’em cash games and tournaments. You’ll find both standard two-blind and unique three-blind cash games, plus a growing tournament schedule for Sweeps Coins (redeemable for dollars) and Gold Coins.

How can I contact ClubWPT Gold?

If you need assistance with the site or have questions, go to ClubWPT Gold’s support desk here.

You can quickly get answers to common questions or contact their support team.

Related video: Doug Polk’s Honest Review of ClubWPT Gold

The post ClubWPT Gold Review: What You Must Know Before Playing appeared first on Upswing Poker.

The tournament, which featured 17 starting flights and a $5,000 buy-in, saw 6,146 total entries including many of the biggest names in poker. You can see a full replay of the final table here or keep reading for a recap:

Dietrich’s Final Table Run

Dietrich began the final table third in chips with a 57bb stack. He wasn’t involved in any of the early eliminations as play gradually went from 9-handed to 4-handed.

With 4 players remaining, we saw potentially one of the worst bad beats in poker history.

Evgenii Akimov jammed all-in for 20bb on the Button with 6c 4s. Isaac Baron called from the Small Blind with Kc Kd. Baron looked to be in great shape for the double-up after flopping top set on Ks Jc 7c. However, the turn 5c gave Akimov plenty of outs and the river 8d sealed Baron’s fate as his flopped set lost to a straight.

With play 3-handed, Akimov once again found himself jamming with 6s 4d on the Button. Rui Ferreira called in the Big Blind at risk with Ah Kd. The board ran out As Ks 3d 5s 3s giving Akimov a runner-runner flush to beat Ferreira’s top pair.

Heads Up Play Begins

Heads Up play began with Akimov holding a 5:1 chip advantage over Dietrich. However, this lead evaporated as Dietrich doubled up with his Pocket Fives holding vs Ace-King. He then made a Broadway straight vs two pair to take the chip lead.

The final hand saw Akimov limp from the Button with 9c 5d. Dietrich checked back with 8h 2s. The players were 7bb effective to start the hand with Dietrich holding a roughly 6:1 chip lead.

The flop came Kc 8c 6s and Dietrich checked. Akimov bet 1bb with his gutshot straight draw. Dietrich called with his middle pair and the turn came the 3h. Akimov went all-in for a slight overbet of around 1.2x pot. Dietrich made the call and the river came the 3d to secure the win for Dietrich.

With the win, Dietrich was crowned the 2024 WSOP Online International Main Event champion, taking home a bracelet and $4,021,012 top prize, the largest single prize ever awarded in online poker.

Final Table Results

1. Moritz Dietrich ($4,021,012)
2. Evgenii Akimov ($3,099,896)
3. Rui Ferreira ($2,390,418)
4. Isaac Baron ($1,843,337)
5. Diogo Coelho ($1,421,478)
6. Ilya Anatski ($1,096,180)
7. Hai Pan ($845,342)
8. Benjamin Rolle ($651,921)
9. Audrius Stakelis ($502,771)

Want to Learn How Moritz Crushes?

Join the Upswing Lab today to get access to all of Moritz Dietrich’s members-only training content including 6 advanced modules and 26 Play & Explains:

Moritz Dietrich’s Upswing Lab Modules:

• How ICM Impacts Your Flop Strategy (2 hours and 55 minutes)
• Advanced Preflop Guide For MTT (2 hours and 56 minutes)
• Check-Raising Flops as the Preflop Raiser (2 hours and 28 minutes)
• Probing From the Big Blind (3 hours and 3 minutes)
• Check-Calling on the River Out of Position (3 hours and 15 minutes)
• Betting on the Flop (2 hours and 41 minutes)

Get access to all of these, plus so much more, by joining the Upswing Lab today. You can use the code MORITZ50 to get $50 off your first month.

The post Moritz Dietrich Wins Record-Setting $4,021,012 (WSOP Online Main Event) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

For example, a pocket pair of twos is often called “pocket deuces” in Texas Hold’em.

Why is a two called a deuce in poker? Let’s take a look.

Origin of the Term “Deuce”

The origin of the term deuce as a substitute for two likely comes from either the German or French languages.

In German card games, the Deuce (spelled Daus in German) is the highest-ranking card. While German playing cards differ pretty drastically (at least visually) from the playing cards used in poker games, the German deuce represents a two. 

Much like the 2 of Diamonds always has two diamond symbols, the German Deuce always displays two of a given symbol. The term Daus is also used to describe a two in German dice games.

Another possible origin for “deuce” is the French word “deux” (which means two in French).

To be clear, this is what a “deuce” looks like in a traditional deck of poker cards:

If you’re playing Texas Hold’em and you look down at a pair of twos as your hole cards, you can also call that hand a pair of deuces or pocket deuces.

If you see another two appear on the flop, now you have a set of deuces (or a set of twos).

The next time you sit in on a poker game, listen closely and try to determine which name is used more for the card we’re discussing here – “two” or “deuce.”

The post Why a Two is Called a “Deuce” in Poker appeared first on Upswing Poker.

A total of 10,112 entries registered for the 2024 edition of the Main Event (also known as the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship). Were all of those entries unique players, or does the Main Event allow rebuys or re-entry?

Let’s find out:

The WSOP Main Event is a Freezeout Tournament

To be clear – there are no rebuys or re-entries allowed in the WSOP Main Event. The centerpiece event of the WSOP is a freezeout, meaning you can only enter once. If you get eliminated, your next chance to enter the Main Event comes the following year.

The Main Event’s freezeout status is one of the things that makes the tournament so prestigious. Many stories emerge each year of players making huge folds, laying down very strong hands for fear of losing their one shot at poker immortality.

The atmosphere at the Main Event is truly unlike anything else in poker, particularly when the tournament gets into the money. One incorrect call, ill-times bluff or tilt-induced punt sends you to the rail, and the finality of a Main Event elimination is profound.

Many of the other tournaments on the annual WSOP schedule allow re-entry up to a certain level. Some tournaments allow unlimited re-entry, while others cap the number of the times you can re-enter per day or per tournament.

For example, the 2024 WSOP Gladiators of Poker event allowed two re-entries per flight, with the cutoff for re-entry at the end of Level 11 of Day 1. The tournament plays through four different Day 1 flights, so a player could technically re-enter the tournament eight times if they played all four Day 1 flights.

The Main Event offers no such opportunity to re-enter, and very likely never will.

The post Can You Rebuy in the WSOP Main Event? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

If you set up a poker home game, you get to decide who gets to play and who doesn’t. You also get to decide the stakes and the buy-in.

If you’ve ever wanted to run a $20 buy-in poker cash game, this article is for you. Let’s take a look at how to divide poker chips for a $20 buy-in cash game.

Stakes and Chip Denominations for Your $20 Buy-In Poker Cash Game

The first and perhaps most important thing to decide is what stakes you want to play for your home cash game. For a $20 buy-in, we recommend that you play $0.05/$0.10.

At these stakes, the small blind is $0.05 and the big blind is $0.10. This gives each player a 200-big-blind stack, which is great for a cash game. Many poker rooms use 200 big blinds as the max buy-in for cash games.

Using these stakes, you need three different colors of poker chips to allow for this division of chips for each player:

• $0.05 chips x 20 = $1
• $0.25 chips x 32 = $8
• $1 chips x 11 = $12

You could add $0.10 chips into the mix if you wish, and end up with a division that looks something like this:

• $0.05 chips x 20 = $1
• $0.10 chips x 20 = $2
• $0.25 chips x 20 = $5
• $1 chips x 11 = $12

You could also eliminate some of the $1 chips (which are pretty big for a $0.05/$0.10 game), and end up with this:

• $0.05 chips x 40 = $2
• $0.10 chips x 40 = $4
• $0.25 chips x 40 = $8
• $1 chips x 6 = $6

This division requires more overall chips, but might make betting, raising, and calling a more smooth process for all of your players.

One more note – when you’re buying your first chip set for a home game, you’re better off purchasing a set with more chips right from the start. Your home cash game might become very popular, and you’d rather have more than enough chips than not enough chips.

The post How to Divide Poker Chips in a $20 Buy-In Home Game appeared first on Upswing Poker.

If you’ve played Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Canasta, Rummy, or any other game that uses a standard 52-card deck, there’s a very good chance you’ve played with Bicycle cards at some point. Magicians often use Bicycle cards for card tricks as well.

You may have noticed that Bicycle playing cards are available in a few different formats. 

The two most common types are Bicycle Standard cards and Bicycle Poker (aka Rider Back) cards. These decks seem identical at first glance, but there are a few differences between the two.

Let’s take a look:

Bicycle Standard Cards vs. Bicycle Poker Cards

The first thing that distinguishes the Bicycle’s Standard deck from the Bicycle Poker deck is the box and the branding for each:

Both boxes are very similar, but the Standard deck features the word “Standard” and the “Trusted Since 1885” banner. The Poker deck includes the “Rider Back” branding and doesn’t have the 1885 banner.

If you look at the tops of the boxes, the Standard deck displays the terms “Standard Size” and “Standard Face” while the Rider Back deck displays the term “Poker” (which is why we’re calling the Rider Back cards “Poker” cards in this article). The other parts of the boxes generally feature more marketing copywriting on the Standard decks, and little to none on the Poker decks.

When you open the box, the cards themselves are nearly identical, but with a few minor differences:

• The pips (like the number “10” on the ten of diamonds) are slightly bigger for the Rider Back (poker) cards.
• The shades of red and blue differ slightly between the two styles. The Rider Back deck use a darker blue and a brighter red than the Standard deck.
• The Rider Back cards are slightly thicker that the Standard cards.
• The Ace of Spades is slightly different in the two decks. Each displays the words “The U.S. Playing Card Co.” in different fonts.
• The Jokers are slightly different between the two decks.

You’ll mostly find the Standard decks in U.S. stores (like Target, Wal-Mart, etc.). You might have to go to a magician’s store or go online to find the Rider Back/Poker cards.

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You make a full house when you hold three of a kind and a pair in the same five-card hand. For instance, if you have AAA77, you have a full house. That particular full house is known as “aces full of sevens” or just “aces full”.

The full house is often referred to as a “full boat” or just a “boat”. If you’ve played poker for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly heard the terms used interchangeably.

What is the origin of the term “full boat” and why is it still used today? Let’s take a look.

Where Does the Term “Full Boat” Come From?

If you research the term “full boat” you’ll find several different possible origins for the term.

Perhaps the most well-known theory is that the term comes from riverboat gambling venues where poker boomed in popularity in the 19th century. When looked at through that perspective, it does make sense for players on a boat (particularly a very “full” boat) to start using “full boat” in place of “full house.”

Another theory speculates that the “boat” terminology comes from the way the cards themselves look when you arrange them with the pair on top and the three-of-a-kind on the bottom:

It does (kind of) resemble a boat.

One more theory states that a gambler named Thomas Winslow lost his riverboat to a man named John Stinson in a poker game in 1906. Winslow’s nut flush was beaten by Stinson’s full house in the hand where Winslow’s riverboat was on the line.

Stinson subsequently used the boat for tours and even poker games on the Mississippi River, and the “full boat” term came forth from there. This legend comes from a now-deleted TwoPlusTwo post, which is referenced in this Reddit post.

We’ll likely never get a consensus on where the term “full boat” really came from, but linking the term to riverboat gambling in some way seems very logicial.

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Folding is the act of surrendering your cards and giving up any chance to win a pot. When you fold, you’re out of the action until the next hand begins.

What happens if all players in a poker hand fold? Let’s find out.

What Happens When Everyone Folds in Poker?

There can’t be a poker hand in which every single player folds, as somebody has to win the pot! In a nine-handed game, for instance, if eight players fold preflop, the one player that didn’t fold wins the pot.

For example, let’s say we’re watching a $1/$2 cash game with nine players at the table. The preflop betting round sees the first six players to act all fold. The Button open-raises to $10, and the remaining two players fold (the players in the Small Blind and the Big Blind).

The Button player wins the pot uncontested, and the dealer pushes $3 (the $1 and $2 bets submitted by the players in the blinds) to the Button player.

If the first eight players all fold, the player in the Big Blind wins the $3 pot uncontested.

Folding is one of the most fundamental concepts in all poker formats. Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, or any other poker game, you always win the pot if all other players but you fold.

When Can a Player Fold?

Any player can fold at any time, in any betting round. As we discussed, there can’t be a poker hand where all players fold; at least one player has to still be in the hand. The last player that doesn’t fold wins the pot.

In the preflop betting round, if all players but one fold, the remaining player wins the pot and the hand doesn’t go any further. 

The same concept applies in all subsequent betting rounds. For example, if one players folds out all other players during the turn betting round in a game of Texas Hold’em, the hand ends there.

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