How to Play Bitcoin Poker?

The introduction of blockchain technology allows us to send and receive data using a decentralized network, which opened gateways towards many new technologies of which cryptocurrency stands as the most prominent one. Furthermore, certain aspects of blockchain contributed to the rapid growth of blockchain-based gambling websites where players can enjoy a wide array of casino games using Bitcoins to place their wagers.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the most necessary pieces of information that will allow you to learn everything you need to know before taking part in a Bitcoin Poker game.

What is BTC Poker?

For those who are not accustomed to technical terms or don't have enough insight into the cryptocurrency market, playing Bitcoin Poker on a blockchain-based online platform could sound a bit overwhelming. However, the truth is that Bitcoin Poker is the same as regular Poker game with one crucial difference – the players are using Bitcoins instead of fiat currency. Of course, this is not the only difference between the two gaming experiences but the gameplay itself, rules, and all other features that make Poker what it is are not different with BTC version of the game.

In other words, if you ever had cards in your hands and tested your skills and luck in a game of Poker at any point of your life, playing Bitcoin Poker will make no difference.

BTC Poker Rules

There are numerous variations of Bitcoin Poker, which are just like conventional Poker games, available on cryptocurrency casino websites, each with their respective set of rules. Going through the rules for each version of the game you could stumble upon would take too much of your time and it could also confuse some readers. What's important to state is that the rules which apply to regular Poker games, be it online or in a brick and mortar casino, are also used with BTC alternatives.

Therefore, we are going to let you in on the general rules of Jacks or Better BTC Poker that should allow you to have fun at any online venue.

Gameplay

  • The game uses a single deck of cards.
  • The objective of the game is to win the strongest hand possible.
  • To achieve the goal, a player first must place at least the minimum bet, predetermined by the game provider.
  • Once the bet is placed, the player receives five cards.
  • The player chooses whether to keep the entire hand or keep a certain number of cards and wait for the discarded cards to be replaced with the new ones.
  • The outcome is determined by the combination of cards in hand after the second dealing.

Winning hands

  • Jack or Better – A pair of cards that include two Jacks or higher such as Queen, King, or Ace.
  • Two Pairs – two pairs of cards that have the same number. For example, two 3s and two 6s.
  • Three of a Kind – three cards that have the same number. For example, three 8s.
  • Straight – like the Straight Flush except the five cards do not have to have the same suit. They just need to go in sequential order.
  • Four to a Straight Flush – is when you've dealt four out of the five cards needed to complete a straight flush.
  • Flush –five cards that have the same suit.
  • Full House – is a hand that has both a three of a kind as well as a pair. For example, three Aces and two 5s.
  • Four of a Kind – Four cards that have the same number. For example, four Queens or four 10s.
  • Straight Flush – five cards that go in sequential order and all have the same suit. For example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 all suited as hearts.
  • Three to a Royal Flush – when you have three of the cards necessary to complete a Royal Flush.
  • Four to a Flush – when you have four cards of the same suit.
  • Four to a Straight – four cards that are in sequential order.
  • Three to a Straight Flush – Three cards in sequential order with the same suit.
  • Two to a Royal Flush – Two cards away from reaching a Royal Flush.
  • Royal Flush – is the strongest and highest paying hand you can get. It's a hand containing five cards with the same suit that go in order from 10 to Ace. For example, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace with all of them being suited with hearts.

What to look for in Bitcoin Poker Sites

Statistics show that the largest number of cryptocurrency transactions occur through gambling platforms. The popularity of Bitcoin Poker and other games of fortune creates a lot of room for scams, therefore it's important to know which websites are offering the maximum potential for amusement and which exist only to set you free of your hard-earned digital currency.

Let's look at some of the key features of reputable Bitcoin Poker venues:

  • Legal status – The online environment is a breeding ground for all types of deceptions and exploitation, especially when it comes to inexperienced users. The legal status of the platform you decide to test your luck on is an important aspect in the overall ranking.
  • The website, gaming software and mobile optimization – The best venues allow you to enjoy your gaming experience on multiple platforms. You should have the ability to play BTC Poker games at home as well as on the go, using your mobile device or tablet.
  • Payment and withdrawal processing speed – The faster you get your winnings in your possession the better, right? The most reputable casinos will allow you to withdraw Bitcoins as soon as possible and the payments should be instantaneous.
  • Withdrawal Limits – Depending on the platform, some BTC casinos will allow you to withdraw different amounts of Bitcoin in a single instance. The more you can withdraw the better, and best-ranking casinos offer the most lucrative withdrawal quotas.
  • Customer service option and quality – No matter which time zone you live in or what time of the day you choose to enjoy your favorite card game, you should have the ability to contact support staff for any potential issues or questions regarding the gameplay, payments, or any other reason. Best ranking casinos provide multichannel customer support 24/7.
  • Availability of Provably Fair game – The blockchain technology allows you to make sure that the outcome of each card draw depends on pure luck. Most reputable providers will give you the chance to check if anyone has influenced the results of your game.
  • Other than BTC, what other cryptos you can play with – Bitcoin is inarguably the most popular cryptocurrency in the world. However, different people have different affinities, and while many players are alright with Bitcoin others prefer Litecoin or some other cryptocurrency. Casinos that provide the most versatile choice of cryptos that you can wager with are the best ranking.
  • Supported Languages – Online gambling attracts players from all over the world. To fully enjoy the game, each player should be able to understand the rules and regulations and feel comfortable navigating through the platform. For this reason, a casino rank depends on the players' ability to choose the language option which they are most comfortable with.
  • The choice of games – There are many ways to play Poker, so why settle for a place that doesn't allow you the freedom to choose among the widest range of different gaming options.

Bitcoin Poker with faucet

Some cryptocurrency casinos attract players with small amounts of Bitcoin rewards that automatically transfer to player's account. When it comes to Bitcoin Poker with faucet this means that players can choose to accomplish tasks that are available in a designated timeframe while playing and receive small amounts of Bitcoins rewards for each completed task. This way, even if the player doesn't win a hand, it's still possible to leave the game with some Satoshi in the wallet. What's important to say is that once you have the Bitcoins at your disposal, it's entirely up to you if you want to invest in more games or use Bitcoins for some other purpose.

Types of Bitcoin Poker

As mentioned earlier in the article, Bitcoin Poker variations are the same as those we know to exist in traditional casinos. However, we'll dedicate this section of the article to some of the most popular Bitcoin Poker types and let you in on some basic features of each type respectively.

Jacks or Better

The most basic type of Bitcoin Poker, Jacks or Better uses a single deck of cards out of which 5 are dealt to the player. The player then decides which cards to hold to achieve the best possible outcome. The reason why this type of game is called Jacks or Better is because all that one needs for a winning hand is a Jack or a higher card. Other winning hands include a wide array of combinations, such as Pair of Jack or Higher, Two Pairs, Three of a kind, Four of a kind, Flush, Full House, Straight, Royal, and others. The minimum bet is variable, depending on the game itself, however, players can increase bets up to the maximum bet level.

Tens or Better

Another popular choice that owes its popularity to it's simplified gaming experience. The rules of this type of Bitcoin Poker are all but the same as the ones we use to enjoy Jacks or Better. The main difference is the minimal win, which includes a pair of tens or higher cards. Furthermore, most Tens or Better games provide different payouts, which is another on a short list of differences among the two games. Also, at the end of each winning hand, the player gets the opportunity to double the winnings by drawing a higher card than the dealer.

Bally's All American

Another variation of the classic Jacks or Better Poker game, with a few changes in payout which make the All American version more acceptable to players who focus on higher rewards. In practice, the payout difference includes higher payouts for Flush, Straight, and Straight Flush, while Full House and Two Pairs bring lower winnings than one could hope for with Jacks or Better. All other aspects of the gameplay are the same, with no changes in wining hands or the betting process.

Deuces Wild

Created more than half a century ago by famous bookmaker William Hill, this type of BTC Poker introduce wildcards represented by 2s. This means that if a player has two of a kind and a 2 among other cards in the hand, the player wins Three of a kind. The same applies if the player receives three of a kind, a 2, and any other kind, the hand is valued as four of a kind, etc. Another distinction of Deuces Wild Bitcoin Poker is the ability to win five of a kind, which is possible if your hand contains four of a kind and a 2.

Bonus Poker

One of the most popular types of BTC poker, available with virtually every Bitcoin Poker venue in the world. The game shares the same rules as the Jacks or Better, with no alterations in rules and winning hands. The only disparity between Bonus Poker and its older cousin is the Bonus payout for different ranks of Four of the kind winnings. Other than that, the game uses standard 52 card deck, the player receives five cards that could be held or dismissed according to the situation. There is no limit on the number of cards one could dismiss or hold, the range is 0 to 5 cards in both cases.

Double Bonus

Another variation of the common Jacks or Better Poker, with nothing to separate the two in terms of gameplay or winning hands. The only difference between the two types of cryptocurrency Poker games is the double payout in case the player wins Four of a Kind with Aces. A lot of players turn to Double Bonus Poker in an attempt to double the number of Bitcoins if they receive four Aces in one hand, however, the payouts for Two Pairs are lower than with the standard version of the game which is a price some players are willing to pay for the chance to double their winnings.

Bitcoin Poker Strategies

There are a few strategies you can employ to trim down the House edge and increase your chances of making a notable profit or at least avoid leaving emptyhanded. Let's look at what each of the strategies brings to the table and how one needs to deploy them when playing Bitcoin Poker.

Flat staking

Intended for players with a limited gambling budget, this strategy includes choosing a stake and placing the same amount with each new turn, disregarding the outcome of the last hand. This allows you to control your losses, however, you'll be out with nothing but your hands in your pocket unless you hit a notable winning streak.

The Martingale strategy

A popular gambling strategy that requires doubling your stake every time you lose a hand. On the other side, whenever you win the stake returns to the original value. The only downside to this strategy is that if you're out of luck for too long, you could hit the maximum bet limit, which renders the chances for success critical.

The Fibonacci system

Based on the Fibonacci string where each number is the sum of the previous two (0, 1, 1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34…) this strategy is like the Martingale. The only difference is you don't double your stake upon losing, you increase it following the numbers in the Fibonacci string.

Best BTC Poker Casinos

Earlier in the article, we had a chance to learn the reference points for a quality cryptocurrency-based website. We took these indicators into account while we analyzed numerous platforms and how each of them compares to individual quality requirements. Here is the list of the best Bitcoin Poker casinos currently available on the market:

  1. FortuneJack
  2. PrimePoker
  3. Stake
  4. Bitsler
  5. Onehash
  6. SwCPoker
  7. Nitrogen
  8. CloudBet
  9. Betcoin
  10. Betonline.ag

Traditional VS Bitcoin Poker

  • Provably fair gameplay: The best cryptocurrency websites offer provably fair games that allow you to interrogate how the game results come about. This guarantees transparency and honesty, and if you lose, you walk away with your head held up high.
  • Fast deposits and instant payouts: Your deposits are instantly accessible, and you can play in the next few minutes of depositing your Bitcoins and, when you win, the money becomes instantly available in your wallet. You don't have to wait for weeks or days for the payment processors to do their thing.
  • No registration required: Bitcoin underlying technology allows anonymity. You can play and win some money without providing your personal information.
  • No country restrictions: Gambling is restricted in many countries, but with BTC casinos, you can access the sites from anywhere.
  • BTC Poker is cheap: With Bitcoin, the transactions charges are almost negligible. Fiat currency option includes substantial transaction fees and loses due to conversion rates when you gamble using a foreign currency.

Conclusion

We hope this article provided enough information to show you all the possibilities that Bitcoin Poker has to offer in comparison to fiat currency competitors. There are no changes in gameplay, the variety of Poker games is extensive, and there are always some bonuses and rewards to put a smile on your face.