If you’re someone who likes to gamble when there’s strategy involved, poker is your go-to. It’s a game of skill, psychology, and luck that’s been around for centuries.
And with the rise in popularity of cryptocurrencies, the world of online poker has taken on a new form: crypto poker.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the gameplay of crypto poker, strategies to improve your chances of winning, and top casinos that offer this exciting variation of the classic game.
Our top crypto poker casinos in 2024
First deposit bonus:
100% up to 1.5 BTC + 100 free spins
This bonus will be granted automatically. Free spins can be activated and played in the Elvis Frog in Vegas game by BGaming.
New players only. Welcome Package - 325% up to 5.25 BTC + 250 FS. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 35 times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 0.34 mBTC.
Welcome bonus:
100 FreeSpins - WAGER FREE
This bonus will be granted automatically. Free spins can be activated and played in the Book of Dead game by Play'n GO.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - 100 FreeSpins - WAGER FREE. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is $50.
Welcome bonus:
200% up to €25,000 + 50 FS
This bonus will be granted automatically. Free spins can be activated and played in the Wanted Dead or a Wild by Hacksaw Gaming.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - 200% up to €25,000 + 50 FS. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 35x times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 20 EUR.
First deposit bonus:
200% up to 500 USDT
This bonus will be granted automatically.
New players only. Welcome Package - 400% up to 2,500 USDT. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 5x times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 50 USDT.
First deposit bonus:
180% match up to 20,000 BCD
with a minimum deposit of $10
New players only. Welcome Package - 360% up to 200,000 BCD. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 40x times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is $10, $50, $100, or $200
What is crypto poker?
Crypto poker is a variation of traditional poker that uses cryptocurrencies as the betting currency. This means, instead of using fiat currency like Euros or USD, you can use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other popular altcoins to place your bets (and potentially win big).
The gameplay, rules, and strategies for crypto poker are the same as traditional online/physical poker. Decentralization and blockchain technology, however, present a few major benefits for players.
How to play crypto poker
To play crypto poker, your first order of business is to find a reputable crypto casino that supports crypto poker. You can find several using our list of top casinos above.
Once you’ve found a casino you like, follow these steps, create an account and purchase cryptocurrency or connect your digital wallet. Once you’ve made your deposit, you can start playing.
The rules of the game are the same as traditional poker:
- The dealer (or software) deals 2 cards to each player. These are known as “hole cards”.
- The dealer then places 5 community cards on the table, known as “the flop” (first 3 cards), “the turn” (4th card), and “the river” (5th card). Players all share these cards to create their final hand.
- Players place their bets based on the strength of their hand or use bluffing tactics.
- Each player can fold (quit), raise (increase bet), call (match bet), or check (pass) depending on the actions taken by other players and the community cards revealed in subsequent rounds.
- The player with the best hand (or the one who bluffs better) at the end of the round wins the pot.
When you’ve completed your game, you can cash out your winnings in cryptocurrency or keep it in your account for future games.
Variations of crypto poker
Just like traditional poker, there are various versions of crypto poker that you can play. Some popular variations include:
- Texas Hold’em: This is the most well-known and widely played variation of poker. It involves 5 community cards (flop, turn, river) and 2 hole cards for each player.
- Omaha: Similar to Texas Hold’em, but players receive 4 hole cards instead of 2. Players must use exactly 2 hole cards and 3 community cards to make the best hand.
- 7-Card Stud: In this variation, players receive 7 cards throughout the game and must use a combination of 5 to make their final hand.
- 5-Card Draw: Each player is dealt 5 cards and has the option to replace any or all of their cards with new ones. The best 5-card hand wins.
Why play crypto poker online?
There are plenty of reasons to play poker:
- It’s based on skill, so you can improve your chances of winning with practice and strategy.
- It’s a social game, making it fun to play with friends or others around the world.
- You can potentially win big with the right hand and a bit of luck.
Compared to standard online poker games, playing with cryptocurrency offers benefits in the form of security, anonymity, and lower fees.
Let’s cover these advantages more in detail:
Secure and anonymous gameplay
When an online gambling site uses traditional banking systems, they need a lot of personal information to process your transactions. With crypto, there’s no central authority that can track your transactions. There will sometimes be information requirements, but many casinos offer \ or require a very limited amount of personal info.
Fast transactions with limited fees
Perhaps the most irritating thing about playing any online game with fiat currency is the fact that you can’t simply withdraw winnings immediately. Usually, the wait time is 3-5 business days before you’ll see your money.
Decentralization means you control your money. There are little to no fees involved (aside from network transaction fees and some platform-specific fees, which are much lower).
This results in near-instant deposits and withdrawals, meaning you can access your winnings muc faster and without so much hassle.
Global access
Sure, online gambling (and online crypto gambling) laws vary from one country to the next. But, assuming you’re a law-abiding citizen and play from a country that allows you to, you can sign up and instantly connect with crypto poker players from all over the world.
Yes, you can do this with standard currency. But the added benefit of crypto is it’s universal — there are no currency conversions since everyone is using the same currency. This is a huge advantage if you’re playing from a country that doesn’t use the Euro or US dollar.
Provably fair crypto poker games
The BEST thing about online crypto casinos is provably fair gaming. Cryptographic algorithms use hash functions to ensure that every shuffle of the deck is genuine. You don’t have to worry about the casino cheating or manipulating the game since everything is recorded on the blockchain.
- You can verify that your gameplay was fair and unbiased.
- The casino can’t manipulate the outcome of the game. Neither can other players.
- You can trust that you have an equal chance of winning, just like everyone else playing.
Standard casinos don’t use blockchain technology, so they cannot always say the same.
Crypto poker bonuses and promotions
While it’s not the type of game you can earn free crypto playing, you can still take advantage of bonuses and promotions specific to the game.
These include:
- Welcome bonuses: A small amount of cryptocurrency awarded to new players upon signing up.
- Deposit bonuses: Extra crypto given when you deposit a certain amount into your account.
- Freeroll tournaments: Free entry into poker tournaments with cash or crypto prizes.
- Leaderboard bonuses: Rewards for being one of the top players in a certain time period.
- Loyalty programs: Points earned through a tiered system, which you can redeem for cash or other rewards.
Most online crypto poker sites will also host special tournaments. When you play against others in platform-sponsored tourneys, they’ll normally sweeten the deal for the winner(s).
Strategies for winning at crypto poker
You aren’t playing crypto slots or roulette, here. You’re playing a game that requires skill and strategy (though luck, of course, plays a role). Your opponents will easily beat you if you don’t have the right approach — we can guarantee that.
Here are some of our best strategies to help give you an edge:
1. Study your opponents.
Pay attention to how your opponents play. Are they aggressive? Passive? Do they bluff often? Use this information to adjust your gameplay and have a better understanding of what their behaviors might mean.
For example, if a player frequently raises pre-flop but then checks or folds on the flop, there’s a good chance they’re bluffing.
2. Use position to your advantage.
Being the last to act gives you more information about your opponents’ hands, helping you make better decisions.
If you’re in early position, be more selective about the hands you play. In a late position, take advantage of your knowledge and raise with a wider range of hands.
3. Don’t be afraid to fold.
Don’t fall into the trap of feeling like you have to stay in a hand because you’ve already invested money. If your hand isn’t strong, fold and wait for a better opportunity.
To understand whether your hand is weak, it helps to study the odds. You can find many online tools (like this helpful guide) that calculate your chances of winning based on the cards you have and the community cards on the table.
4. Understand the different types of odds.
In crypto poker, as in traditional poker, understanding odds is essential. It’s how you make informed decisions during gameplay.
Here are a few basic concepts related to odds that every player should know:
Pot odds
Pot odds are the ratio of the current size of the pot to the size of the bet you must call. This concept helps determine whether a call is profitable in the long run.
For example, if the pot is 10 mBTC and you need to call a 2 mBTC bet, your pot odds are 10:2, or 5:1.
Compare pot odds to the odds of completing your hand (e.g., hitting a flush or straight). If the pot odds are higher than the odds of completing your hand, calling might be a profitable decision.
Implied odds
Implied odds consider the potential future gains if you hit your hand, beyond the current pot size. They help you assess whether a call is worthwhile, considering future bets you might win.
If you hold a flush draw, and by hitting your flush you expect to win additional bets from your opponent, the implied odds may justify calling even when pot odds do not.
Implied odds help you evaluate situations where your hand has the potential to win big future pots, especially against opponents who play loosely or aggressively.
Hand probabilities
Hand probabilities consider the chance of completing a specific hand — e.g., a flush, straight, or full house — based on the cards in play.
As a quick example, in Texas Hold’em, with two suited cards and two of the same suit on the board, the probability of completing a flush on the turn or river is relatively high (~35%).
Knowing hand probabilities helps you make decisions about whether to call, raise, or fold. It also makes it easier to assess the potential hands your opponents might hold, which will influence your next decision.
5. Bluff strategically.
Since you’re playing online, there is an additional element at play: nobody else can see your expressions.
This is sort of a mixed blessing. On the one hand, nobody else can see your poker face and use it against you. On the other, you can’t see anyone elses (and you can’t fool anyone with yours). Everyone also has limited (if any) historical data on each other.
To bluff successfully, you need to establish a strong table image. That means playing consistently and avoiding obvious tells.
A few tips:
- Pay attention to how opponents bet in various situations. If a player suddenly changes their betting behavior, it might indicate weakness or a strong hand, depending on the context.
- Look for signs of hesitation or uncertainty, like long pauses before checking or betting.
- Being in a late position allows you to see how other players act before making your move.
- When you’re in a late position, leading with a bet can put pressure on opponents, especially if they have shown weakness by checking.
- Be aware of how the game evolves. If players start calling more often, reduce the frequency of your bluffs.
In any case, make sure you mix up your play. Balance your bluffs with value bets — unpredictability keeps opponents guessing and makes it harder for them to read your bluffs.
And if an opponent frequently calls your bluffs, adjust by tightening your play and waiting for strong hands to exploit their tendencies.
Final thoughts
There are millions of rules, strategies, and intricacies involved in online crypto poker — this just scratches the surface.
You should remember that it takes practice to develop your skills. Don’t be afraid to try different strategies and learn from your successes and failures.
And most importantly, have fun! After all, poker is a game, and games are meant to be enjoyed.
When you’re ready to hit the virtual felt, take a peek at our toplist of the best online crypto casinos. We’ve vetted dozens of online betting sites and sourced verified reviews. And we did it all to help you find a reputable and safe place to take your chances at the table.
Alex is a versatile content writer with a talent for crafting clear, engaging content across various industries. With expertise in SEO and digital marketing, Alex produces articles, blog posts, and copy that resonate with readers and perform well online. While he writes on a range of topics, he has a particular interest in the gambling industry, where he enjoys exploring gaming trends and business strategies. His approachable style and attention to detail ensure his content is both informative and compelling.
