Ultimate Guide to Bitcoin and Crypto Poker

Blockchain poker is poker that can be played on crypto gambling platforms. It’s a twist on the classic game that leverages blockchain technology’s transparent and decentralized nature to provide players with greater security, fairness, and control over their gameplay. Its subcategory is DeFi poker, which relies on smart contracts.

What does that mean in practice? Crypto-based gambling platforms use blockchain technology to record bets and transactions on a ledger that can’t be changed. Hence, no one can manipulate the results of any game, including poker. 

So, when playing blockchain-based poker, you can rest assured that you’ll play the game in a safe and fair environment with transparent and publicly verifiable results. At the same time, using cryptocurrencies enables you to make faster and cheaper transactions while keeping a low profile.

Before we introduce you to the best variants you can play with Bitcoin and other digital currencies, we must first cover the basics of any poker game. Poker is all about creating a better hand than one of your opponents, whether that be a dealer, computer or another player. So, to understand how to win at poker, you must be familiar with poker hands and their rankings. Here’s a breakdown of poker hand rankings:

• High Card: This is the lowest-ranked hand in poker, with no combination formed, so the hand’s strength is determined by the highest card.
• Pair: Two cards of the same value.
• Two Pair: Two different pairs of cards.
• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value.
• Straight: A sequence of 5 cards that are not of the same suit.
• Flush: A combination of 5 cards of the same suit which don’t make a sequence.
• Full House: A hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair.
• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank. 
• Straight Flush: A sequence of 5 cards of the same suit starting from any rank.
• Royal Flush: A sequence consisting of 10s through As of the same suit.

Bear in mind that each game has its own rules in terms of when the dealer qualifies and what payouts players can win for each hand. So, before you start playing any poker variant, get to know its rules.

Poker is a game of skill, meaning that each move you make counts. Depending on the variation you choose, you’ll be prompted to make various decisions, starting with how much you’ll bet per round. Below, we list some of the most common betting options and actions in poker games you can play with crypto. 

• Ante: A mandatory bet that must be placed before the cards are dealt (the main bet). 
• Blind: A forced bet you must place before you see cards, usually worth half the Ante. 
• Call: An additional bet you must place to stay in the hand. 
• Raise: Increases the initial bet amount, forcing other participants to call, raise or fold. 
• Check: Allows you to stay in the hand by betting zero chips. 
• Fold: To discard your cards and quit the game. 

Again, these basic bets and actions don’t apply to all poker variants. Therefore, take time to understand and learn the rules of the game you choose to play.

The best Bitcoin poker sites feature many game variants from leading providers at RNG and live dealer tables. Some of the most common names you’ll come across are Evolution, Habanero and Evoplay, to name a few. Here is a lowdown on the best crypto poker variants you shouldn’t miss out on.

Ultimate Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular poker games. Its online version, where you play against the house instead of other players, is Ultimate Texas Hold’em. You can play Ultimate Texas Hold’em online at Evolution tables with live dealers. When it comes to RNG variants, TaDa Gaming is one of the providers that offers it.

The objective in Ultimate Texas Hold’em is to form a 5-card hand using the 2 cards you receive and 3 of the 5 community cards, which is stronger than the dealer’s hand. An Ante and Blind bet is required to play the game, and an optional Trips bonus bet is available. 

Depending on the cards you receive, you should decide whether to make an early Play bet, which can raise the Ante 3x or 4x. The Flop, the Turn and the River are the stages of the game where you must make decisions, so make sure to learn the Ultimate Texas Hold’em strategy to play your hands optimally. 

Another version of Texas Hold’em you can play with crypto is Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker by Evolution.

Caribbean Stud Poker

This is a simpler poker variant, where you place an Ante and receive 5 cards you must make a better hand with to beat the dealer. After you receive the cards and see the dealer’s hole card, you can fold or raise. Payouts are awarded based on whether the dealer qualifies and range from 1:1 to 100:1, depending on your hand ranking.

What makes Caribbean Stud Poker a game worth your time and money is an opportunity to win a progressive jackpot. This option may not be available in all the games and casinos. Still, if it is, you can go for it occasionally. 

Some of the providers that offer Caribbean Stud Poker online are Evolution, Betsoft and Habanero.

Three Card Poker

As its name suggests, Three Card Poker is based on a 3-card hand, which makes it the most straightforward and fastest poker variant. The game starts with placing an Ante and receiving 3 cards, after which you decide whether you’ll fold or place a Play bet, which equals double the Ante. If the dealer qualifies with a Queen high, you can win up to 5:1 on your Ante and Play bets. 

Optionally, you can play the Pair Plus side bet, which pays up to 40:1. Some game versions, like the one by Evolution, also offer the 6 Card Bonus bet that can pay up to 1,000:1. Bear in mind that the Three Card Poker house edge is a bit lower, sitting at 96.63%. It decreases further for side bets. Don’t forget that applying the optimal Three Card Poker strategy is crucial to beating the dealer with a better hand.

All the variants mentioned above are the games you play against the dealer or computer. However, some crypto casinos, such as BC.Game and Betplay.io, go the extra mile by offering dedicated poker rooms. These rooms are designed with true poker fans in mind, enabling them to play select games against other members. They offer so-called cash games and tournaments.

Cash Games

Texas Hold ’em and Omaha Poker are the most common games you can play against other players at dedicated poker rooms, but that’s not all. For instance, BC Poker offers No-Limit Texas Hold ’em along with Pot-Limit Omaha, Short Deck and All-in or Fold, allowing you to choose a cash game based on your preferences and experience.

Poker Tournaments

Participating in tournaments is the most exciting way to show off your poker skills. Not many crypto casinos offer them, but you can still find trusted platforms to compete against other players. At Betplay.io, you can join freeroll and daily guaranteed tournaments or participate in satellites to qualify for the main even. Some operators also let you compete in multi-table tournaments for a chance to win a share of several prize pools.

Blockchain poker has many advantages, like other crypto casino games. While making crypto transactions, your privacy will be enhanced, and you can move money more swiftly without high fees. However, because of the nature of the game, crypto poker comes with additional benefits, including the ones we list below.

• Peer-to-Peer Poker: As mentioned above, crypto poker rooms allow you to play cash games against other players, not the house, and participate in poker tournaments.  
• Innovative Features: Some poker rooms allow you to use insurance when you believe your hand is not strong enough or join private clubs where you can play with players you choose and enjoy a tailored gaming experience. 
• Exclusive Bonuses: The best crypto poker sites offer bonuses and promotions tailored for poker fans, so make sure to take advantage of them when playing with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
• Global Access: Like other crypto gambling games, crypto poker can be played almost anywhere, even in those jurisdictions where this form of entertainment is not legalized.

One of the biggest disadvantages of playing poker with Bitcoin and other digital currencies is their volatility. The fluctuation of their price may decrease the real value of your winnings, so bear that in mind when choosing the option for your deposits and withdrawals. These are other factors that can make your crypto poker experience less enjoyable. 

• Lack of customer protection: Although all crypto poker sites we recommend are licensed, no local authorities oversee them. Hence, players have no one to turn to if they believe they were treated unfairly. 
• It takes time to learn: If you are new to poker and crypto gambling, you must be prepared to learn a lot before you start placing real-money bets.
• Irreversible transactions: If you make a mistake while making transactions in cryptocurrencies, you won’t be able to recover your funds, so always double-check the details you provide.

When comparing the two most popular card games, blackjack vs poker, we can notice many differences. However, they have one thing in common: both require a strategy, so you must hone your skills to play them successfully. 

• Understand hand rankings and the game you play: Always have a poker hands cheat sheet for the variant you play on you and act accordingly.
• Know when to fold: Knowing when you should give up is as essential as knowing when to raise or check, so don’t overvalue your hands, or you may lose more than your initial bet.
• Stay focused: You must be calm when playing poker, regardless of its format, since making emotional decisions can be detrimental to your bankroll.
• Manage your bankroll and don’t chase losses: Bankroll management is key to responsible gambling, so never risk more than you can afford to lose and know when to quit.
• Keep learning: Mastering poker takes time, so analyze your moves and mistakes and watch others play to improve your performance.

These are just some basic tips that can improve your odds while playing crypto poker. If you are interested in a particular game, learn the proper strategy to play it like a pro. Make sure to find a crypto casino with poker games online for free and practice until you feel confident enough to wager real money.