Looking for a great place to play poker online in Ireland? Look no further! Our team of experts has scoured the internet to bring you a list of the best online poker sites for Irish players in 2024. Take a look at our top 10 poker sites below.
💡From our latest rounds of checks, we've made changes to our exclusive Irish online casinos list..
- William Hill Casino Review100% up to €300 + 50 Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Dedicated poker section in game lobby
- Live poker tables
- Numerous tournaments, such as multi-table
- 888casino Review200% up to €400 + 50 No Deposit Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Play online poker with friends
- Huge range of poker games
- Free online poker games
- Casino Rocket ReviewUp to €1000 + 150 Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Crypto online poker games
- Over 50+ poker games
- Beginner friendly
- Dream Vegas Casino Review200% Up to €2500 + 50 Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Mississippi stud poker available
- Live dealer poker
- Great RTP on poker games
- Up to €1500 + 150 Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Easy to sign up
- Lots of bonuses available
- Rewarding loyalty scheme
- Bet365 Casino Review100% Up To €100Visit
Top Features:
- Poker guide for beginners
- Tournaments including freeroll
- Cash games
Casino at bet365 - Up to €100 New Player Bonus. New Casino customers only. Deposit min. €10. Max. bonus €100. 30x wagering (game weighting, table coverage and max. bet rules apply) on deposit and bonus to make the bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
- Mr Green Casino ReviewUp to €100 & 200 Free Spins + 10 Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Live casino poker with real dealers
- Online poker strategy guide
- Great real-money poker on mobile app
- Casumo Casino Review100% up to €300 + 50 Bonus SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Video Poker
- 20+ online poker games
- Beginner friendly
- Unibet Casino Review200% up to €200Visit
Top Features:
- Free and real money poker games
- Dedicated poker offer
- Can play multiple tables at once
- LeoVegas Casino Review100% up to €1000 + 200 Free SpinsVisit
Top Features:
- Live dealer poker tables
- Great mobile poker games
- Bonus bet offer on live poker
How Did We Choose The Best Poker Sites?
There are hundreds of hundreds of different online casinos in Ireland offering their services to players, and while most sites provide decent services, some are better than others. Plus, players are bound to run across some disreputable websites due to the sheer number of online casinos available today.
That's why each of these poker sites has been thoroughly vetted and reviewed according to our rating guidelines to ensure that they meet our high standards for safety, security, and player experience.
Our poker site review criteria includes:
Each poker site you see on this page is licensed & regulated by a gambling authority. Unlicensed sites never make it to our list.
For each poker site we list, we check their reputation and scan user comments through the web to see if they have any complaints from Irish players.
We check each casino's poker rooms to see how many variants of poker they offer, and how many live poker tables they have.
To ensure you get your winnings from poker games, we check if the casino site offers an effective customer support.
We check if the poker site has a specific bonus that can be used in video poker games and also at live poker.
We check if the poker site offers a variety of payment methods or not. After all, if payment options are limited, you might not get your winnings.
How Online Poker Works
Like any other casino game, poker has rules and gameplay that guide the game's operation. Poker may be more complicated to understand than roulette, blackjack, or baccarat, but it is a pretty straightforward game. Players can join a virtual table and play against other players from all around the world using their computer or mobile device. The gameplay is similar to traditional poker, but there are some key differences. Online poker sites use digital versions of cards and chips, and players interact with the game using a computer or mobile device. Players can also take advantage of various features like multi-tabling, which allows them to play multiple tables at once, and the ability to play at a wider range of stakes.
Gameplay
In poker, each player is dealt a set of cards at the start of a hand. These cards, known as "hole cards," are only visible to the individual player and are kept hidden from the other players. The game then progresses through a series of rounds, during which players take turns betting and raising the stakes. The dealer then deals out a set of community cards, called the "flop," "turn," and "river," which are shared by all players and can be used to make the best five-card hand. Players can use any combination of their hole cards and community cards to make the best hand.
Players take turns betting and raising the stakes, with the goal of getting their opponents to fold. The goal is to have the highest-ranking five-card hand or force all the other players to fold by making them believe you have a strong hand. Bluffing is an important part of the gameplay and can be used to your advantage, by pretending to have a better hand than you actually do and making opponents fold. The last person remaining in the game after all the other players have folded is the winner. However, it's worth noting that bluffing can be more difficult to pull off in online poker, as you don't have the ability to read other players' body language and expressions.
Interesting Poker Facts
ℹ️ According to a study by the University of Sussex, playing poker online can help improve decision-making skills and cognitive function.
ℹ️ The ever-popular Irish Poker Open is currently Europe's longest-running No Limit Texas hold'em poker tournament and the second longest in the world, succeeding the World Series of Poker.
ℹ️ Poker tournaments are held online and offline, the most famous and prestigious tournament is the World Series of Poker (WSOP) which is held in Las Vegas every year.
ℹ️ With the increase of online poker, many famous players started to play and make a name for themselves by playing online, like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, and Chris Moorman are some examples.
What are Poker Hand Rankings?
Typically, when you play the game, the cards dealt to you will determine whether your hand will win or lose the round. Thus, knowing how the cards are scored and ranked in poker is essential to a casino enthusiast's playing experience when they play the poker game online.
The traditional card ranking in most poker games, such as Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and Five Card Draw, is the standard hand ranking. The poker hands ranked from the highest to the lowest, and a brief description of their meaning is listed in the table below.
Hand Type | Description |
---|---|
Royal Flush | This is the best hand of them all. It refers to a straight that runs from a ten to an ace in the same suit. This hand's odds are as high as 1 in almost 650,000. |
Straight Flush | A straight flush consists of five cards of the same suit in sequence, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of hearts. In the event of a tie, the highest rank at the top of the straight flush sequence wins. |
Four of a kind | The four-of-a-kind hand has four cards of the same rank and a fifth card, known as a side card or kicker. For example, you can have four Aces, four Jacks, and a fifth card. The suit of the four cards or the rank of the fifth card does not matter. But in the event of a tie, the hand with the highest fifth card ('kicker') wins. |
Full House | A hand consisting of five cards of the same rank and another two of the same rank. For example, you can have 3 Kings and 2 Aces. In a tie, the hand with the highest three matching cards wins. The hand with the highest two matching cards wins if this is the same. |
Flush | It consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in a sequence. In a tie, the hand with the highest-ranked card wins. If necessary, the second-highest, third-highest, fourth-highest, or fifth-highest will win the round. |
Straight | Five cards in sequence but not of the same suit. In a tie, the hand with the highest-ranking card at the top of the sequence wins. It is worth noting that Ace can act as a high or low card, depending on the remaining cards in the sequence. The "A, K, Q, J, 10" combination is the highest possible straight, while the "5, 4, 3, 2, A" is the lowest possible straight. |
Three of a Kind | A combination that contains three cards of the same rank and two other cards of different ranks. For example, you can have three Aces with a King and Queen as the fourth and fifth cards. This is the best possible hand for a three-of-a-kind rank. In a tie, the hand with the highest three-of-a-kind card wins. |
Two Pair | A hand with a pair of the same rank, another pair of the same rank, and the fifth card of a different rank called the "side card." For example, you can have a pair of Aces, a pair of Kings, and a Queen as the last card. In the case of a tie, the highest pair wins. If both have the same highest pair, the highest second pair wins; if this is the same, the highest side card wins. |
Pair | A combination containing any two cards of the same rank and three other cards of different ranks. For example, you can have a pair of Aces and a King, Queen, and Jack as the third, fourth, and fifth cards. This is the best possible "Pair" hand. In the case of a tie, the highest pair wins. Should both hands have the same pair, the highest side card wins; if necessary, the highest second and third cards can be used to break the tie. |
High Card | This is the lowest possible winning hand. Sometimes referred to as uncountable, this hand contains no pairs and is not a straight or a flush. |
All these combinations can be difficult to wrap your head around, especially if you are a newbie. But the beauty is that when you play the poker game online, card ranking and everything involved is done automatically, and you only have to go through the process.
However, if you want to play poker like a pro, you will need to be able to recognize the combination of every hand you get. This will help you decide whether you can afford to call or raise or if your best decision should be a fold.
Betting Options in Poker
One of the most exciting parts about poker is that while it has an element of luck, poker largely depends on skills and the players' ability to make smart decisions. As a result, during any betting round in poker, players are given the option to make some decisions. They can check, fold, bet, call, or raise. To play poker effectively, you will need to familiarize yourself with these:
Check
Players can choose to check until a player opens a poker round by placing the first bet. Essentially, a player who checks declines to make a bet while retaining the right to bet, call, or raise later in the same round. However, in the games played with blinds, players cannot check on opening rounds since blinds are live bets that must be called or raised to stay in the game.
Bet
This is called opening the bet round, and it involves a player putting money in the pot to start a game round in poker. After the bet, other players must then fold, call, or raise.
Fold
A fold happens when a player decides to walk away from a round, losing the stake they already have in the pot. This is a good option to use when a player thinks that they don't have a good enough hand to keep playing or believe that another player has a much better hand than them.
Call
To call means matching another player's bet or raise by putting the same amount into the pot. This is usually done to stay in the game round.
Raise
A raise happens when players increase bet size in a round, thereby increasing the size of the pot. Most players go for the raise option when they believe they have a good enough round to keep playing or bluff other players into thinking they have a great hand.
All in
If a player no longer has enough chips to call or raise a bet during a poker round, they can go all-in by playing all their remaining chips. Here, the player that goes all-in can only win the number of chips in the pot when they place the bet, should other players continue betting.
Popular Poker Variants
Generally, when someone asks if you play poker, they usually refer to the Texas Hold ‘Em, a game that has become the staple for Poker thanks to televised events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the different movies that have featured poker games. However, aside from the Texas Hold ‘Em, there are many other versions and variations of this popular game.
Although each of the different types of poker has slight variations in rules and gameplay, they all follow the same basic rule and gameplay. Before discussing the types of poker, there are broad groups into which the poker game can be classified.
Generally, most poker variants belong to one of three broad groups, namely:
Draw Poker
Stud Poker
Community Card Poker
Draw Poker
Refers to games where the players receive a full hand, which they can then decide to trade in a few (generally up to 3) to improve their hand. The most common variant of this category is the five-card draw.
Stud Poker
This refers to games where players receive face-up and face-down cards (typically 5 or 7) in multiple betting rounds. In these games, the player will use the original cards that they are dealt to make their best hand. Standout variants of this category include the five-card stud and the seven-card stud.
Community Card Poker
This refers to the games where players are dealt "hole cards," i.e., face-down cards, uniquely theirs. They will then playoff these cards with the shared face-up community cards to make their best hand. Standout variants of community games include the Texas Hold 'em and the Omaha Hold 'em.
Texas Hold ‘Em
Driven by the immense popularity of the televised poker competition, the World Series of Poker, Texas Hold’em poker is easily the most popular poker game in the world. The game starts with each player at the table receiving two ‘hole cards' to themselves and then progresses as five community cards are spread on the table. The main goal of the Texas Hold’em game is for players to use the shared community cards in combination with their unique hole cards to produce the best possible five-card hand.
In Hold'em, betting can take place up to four different times. The first bet comes right after each player receives their two-hole cards. The next bet occurs after the first three community cards are dealt and revealed, referred to as "the flop." The third bet is after the fourth community card comes into play, called the "turn," while the fourth and last bet happens when the fifth community card is revealed, called the "the river."
Texas Hold’em poker is of four kinds, which are usually only different from each other by their betting limits:
Limit Texas Hold’em: There is a predetermined betting limit on each round in this game.
No-Limit Texas Hold’em: As its name indicates, a player can bet any amount up to all their chips in this game.
Pot Limit Texas Hold’em: In this game, a player can bet any amount, but only up to the size of the pot.
Mixed Texas Hold’em: This variation switches between Limit Texas Hold’em and the No-Limit Texas Hold’em rounds.
Five-Card Draw
The Five-card draw is the most popular draw poker game you will find online or offline. While many players consider the game to be quite challenging due to the option of replacing their cards by drawing new ones, it is quite simple to understand and play.
Generally, each player in the game is dealt five hidden hole cards. After this, betting will occur, and each player can fold, call, or raise. Once the first betting round is over, there will be a draw. This means that each player can select up to three cards they wish to discard and replace with new ones.
The objective of the draw is to help players try and get cards that will help them produce the best possible five-card hand. Of course, players also have the option not to draw if they believe they already have a pretty good hand and don’t want to risk losing it for a worse hand.
After the draw, there will be another round of betting, after which the showdown will happen. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.
Essentially, the action in this game follows these sequence:
Each player receives five hidden hole cards
The first betting round takes place
Draw
The second betting round takes place
Showdown
The player’s main goal in this game is to make the best five-card hand after one draw. Note that if two or more hands have the same hand value (tie), the pot will be split equally. There is no precedence of suit or rank when awarding the pot.
Seven Card Stud
Seven Card Stud is the most popular game from the stud side of the poker families, giving players individual face-up and face-down cards. As its name indicates, each player will receive seven cards in this game: 3 face-down cards and four face-up cards visible to the entire table. The game's objective is for the players to use the seven cards they receive to create the best possible 5-card hand.
One of the many unique things about this game is that players are not dealt all seven cards at once. Instead, the cards are dealt with gradually, and a player will base their decision to stay and place bets as each of the seven cards is revealed gradually.
Here is the sequence of rules that the Seven Card Stud follows:
Ante: The players put in the ante (the predetermined nominal amount) before starting the game.
Third Street: Each player will receive three cards: two hidden face-down cards and one face-up card. Based on these cards, the player will start betting.
Fourth Street: Each player will receive another exposed face-up card, called the "Fourth Street." Then, there will be another round of betting, and each player will decide to stay or stick with the game.
Fifth Street: Again, each player will receive another exposed face-up card, called the "Fifth Street," and another betting round will happen.
Sixth Street: Players will receive the sixth card, another face-up card called the "Sixth Street." Again, another round of betting will take place.
Seven Street (or the River): Each player will receive the seventh and final card dealt face-down. There will then be a final betting round and a showdown after.
The Showdown: Involves the players revealing their cards, where the one with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. If there is a tie, the pot is divided equally.
Omaha
Omaha is an entertaining poker variant derived from Texas Hold’em. As such, the game has a lot of similarities to Hold’em. However, a few distinguishing features differentiate Omaha from Hold’em. First, in Omaha, each player will receive four cards instead of two at the start of the hand, but the community hand is still five cards.
Also, the five community cards are revealed immediately and are not spread out over three rounds. In the Omaha game, players can use only three of the community cards combined with exactly two cards out of their hole cards to create the best five-card poker hand.
Like the Texas Hold’em game, Omaha also has a few variations, namely:
Pot Limit Omaha Poker: This is the most popular Omaha Poker, and it involves players betting what is in the pot (i.e., €100 into a €100 pot).
No Limit Omaha Poker: Players can bet any amount into the pot, up to their entire chips.
Fixed Limit Omaha Poker: In this version of Omaha Poker, a specific betting limit will apply to each game and betting round.
Others
Aside from the top four poker game versions that we have listed here, there are dozens of other poker game versions that you can play online. Here are a few that deserve mention:
Razz
2-7 Triple Draw
Omaha High-low
High Chicago & Low Chicago
Follow the Queen
What Are the Differences Between Online Poker and Live Poker?
You will agree that while online casino games bring many benefits to players, such as the increased flexibility and convenience of access, they also come with a few limitations and restrictions, especially for poker games. Until recently, one limitation was the inability to play against other players. With the regular online poker game, you will play against the dealer, a computer programme.
Poker is a social game that is better enjoyed when you play against other players, but computer-generated online poker games can't achieve this. However, the status quo changed with the live casino innovation, a platform that allowed players to play casino games, including poker, with a real dealer and other players online, streaming live in HD video.
This made it possible for poker enthusiasts to enjoy their favourite game in real-time from their homes while also playing against other players. Computer-generated online poker comes with several live poker variants that you can play. So, before you join any live poker table, ensure that you understand all the rules and gameplay that come with it.
Free Poker vs Real Money Poker
You will agree that one of the most exciting things about online casino games is the ability to play the games for free using its demo version. Thanks to the innovation of software providers, casino enthusiasts today can access demo versions of several games. They include online slots, online baccarat, online poker, and most importantly, online poker for free without risking their actual funds.
Unlike what many newbies often think, the best part is that demo games, including demo poker games, are not rigged to play differently from the real money versions. Software developers program the demo versions of their poker games to run the same as the real money version. The only difference is that one is played using real money, and players can win real money playing it.
In contrast, the other one is played with inexhaustible virtual credits, with any winnings gotten from it also being virtual credit that you cannot cash out. This means that poker enthusiasts can expect the same gameplay, rules, and randomness of cards when they play the demo version of any online poker game. Thus, playing the demo versions of poker games can be a great way to get familiar with what to expect when you play any poker game for real money online.
Deposit Methods and Withdrawals Available at Online Poker Sites
When selecting operators to play online poker, having multiple or at least the most popular options can indicate a top poker site. Deposits should be instant and not be charged fees, including payouts, however, withdrawal speeds may differ depending on the method selected. Debit cards, such as Visa or Mastercard, should always be accepted, whilst credit card payments are forbidden in Ireland.
Not sure which payment method is the best option for you? Have a look below at the most popular payment methods available for Irish players.
Casino Payment Methods Accepted in Ireland
Casinos that Accept Skrill
Casinos that Accept Paypal
Casinos that Accept Trustly
Casinos that Accept Bitcoin
Casinos that Accept Revolut
Casinos that Accept EcoPayz
Casinos that Accept Boku
Casinos that Accept Entropay
Casinos that Accept Monzo
Casinos that Accept Neteller
Casinos that Accept Payforit
Casinos that Accept PaysafeCard
What's a Rake in Poker?
The poker rake is a fee that a poker room (virtual or real life) charges as a commission; for operating costs and profit. For a more in-depth look at what the poker rake is, how it's calculated and collected, and much more, check out our poker rake explanation.
What Do We Think About Online Poker?
To sum up, poker remains one of the most popular, if not the most popular, table games you will find online or in brick-and-mortar casinos. It is believed that there are over 120 million players across the world that actively play poker online. Although the game comes in different variations, the rules and gameplay are simple: obtain the best possible five-card poker hand or bluff your way into a win like the pros. Before facing opponents, beginners should test the waters and get to know how the game works. Consider playing the demo versions of the game before you start playing for cash games.
References
FAQs About Online Poker
Is it legal to play poker online in Ireland?
Yes. It is legal for you to place bets on any table games, including poker online, as long as your preferred site is licensed to provide gaming services to players in Ireland.
Is online poker rigged?
The short answer to this question is NO. While a site can rig the game, the companies behind online poker sites stand to lose a lot by rigging games, so they usually don’t. Plus, there are usually rules and regulations to guide against this. But to be safe, ensure that the site you play the poker game at is legit, fully licensed, and regulated.
Are online poker tournaments legal?
You can participate in any live and online poker tournament or event as an Irish player.
What is the best online poker site?
Hundreds of online casinos and poker sites offer poker games to players. We couldn't pick just one, so check out our top 10 recommendations at the top of this page!
Can I make money playing online poker?
It is quite possible to make money playing poker. In fact, thousands of professionals consistently play online poker and earn money. However, it would be best to remember that poker should only be seen as a fun and entertaining game, not a means to hit the jackpot.
How do I win when playing online poker?
A win in the poker rooms is never guaranteed, especially due to the random number generator for non-live games. However, you can polish your poker strategy using our guide to improve your poker experience.
What are the best poker software providers?
In our opinion, Games Global and Playtech are the leading software providers that supply the best online poker.