Crypto Poker: The Guide to a Modern Way to Play

Tired of slow withdrawals, strict limits, and endless ID checks in regular online poker? Crypto poker solves all these issues thanks to blockchain technology. Platforms like Sportbet.one make it refreshingly simple to jump in and start playing, with none of the usual red tape holding you back. If you’re ready to learn how, read on and discover the best way to play poker.

What is crypto poker?

Crypto poker is basically online poker but with cryptocurrency as your chips. Instead of using dollars or euros, you’re playing with a digital currency like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or even Solana, which gives the whole game a fresh spin and several advantages:

Speedy cashouts

No more sitting around waiting for bank approvals. Crypto poker lets you cash out almost instantly, thanks to quick blockchain transactions. You win, you cash out — it’s that simple.

More privacy

Crypto poker platforms don’t need all your personal details. There are simply no regulations requiring them to collect your data like banks and services with traditional payment methods do. Just create a crypto wallet, and you’re good to go, making it a solid choice if you like to go anonymous.

Lower fees

Banks and fees? Not here. Without middlemen, deposit and withdrawal fees are much lower or nonexistent, so you get to keep more of what you win. This means your bankroll is higher, too.

Fair play, every time

\With crypto poker, you get provably fair games, where you can literally check that each hand is fair.

Simply put, you can see a hashed seed the casino generates and create a seed yourself (just a random number) to generate a random result for your game (a card in this case). Afterward, you can use these seeds to recreate the game using the casino’s provably fair tools or third-party services. If the result is the same, the casino plays fair.

Sure, all these benefits make sense only if you know how to play poker. We’re here to help you learn, starting with the basics.

Poker rules

The classic poker game is all about forming the best five-card hand possible or at least making other players think you have the best hand. Here’s how it plays out:

The deal

Each player gets two private cards (known as "hole cards") from a "dealer," which only they can see.

The betting rounds

After the initial deal, there are four rounds of betting:

• Pre-flop: Players bet based on their hole cards.
• Flop: Three community cards are placed face-up on the table. Players bet again, using these cards along with their hole cards to build a potential hand.
• Turn: A fourth community card is added, followed by another round of betting.
• River: The fifth and final community card is revealed, and the last betting round begins.

The showdown

After the final betting round, players reveal their hole cards. The player with the best five-card combination (made up of hole and community cards) wins the pot. Hands range from a high card (if nobody can match anything) to a royal flush, the unbeatable five-card straight of the same suit.

One of the main things for new players is to know all the combinations and which hand is higher. Here is a rundown from low to high.

1. High card – Just a single high card, like an Ace.
2. Pair – Two cards of the same rank, e.g., two 7s.
3. Two pairs – Two pairs of cards, e.g., two 8s and two 5s.
4. Three of a kind – Three cards of the same rank, like three Queens.
5. Straight – Five cards in sequence, like 5-6-7-8-9, but not the same suit.
6. Flush – Five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence.
7. Full house – A three-of-a-kind plus a pair.
8. Four of a kind – Four cards of the same rank, like four Jacks.
9. Straight flush – Five cards in a row, all the same suit.
10. Royal flush – A, K, Q, J, 10, all in the same suit. The ultimate hand.

These combinations work for every poker game, but depending on the type, there can be slight changes in the rules.

Types of poker

Basically, the rules of different poker types differ in how cards are revealed and how players bet. Here are the most popular options offered by crypto casinos.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold'em is the go-to for poker beginners; this type of poker we’ve described in the rules above. Two private cards, five community cards, and four rounds of cards revealing. Its popularity means you’ll find a variety of stakes and tournaments, so it’s great for both newbies and seasoned players.

Omaha Hold’em

Omaha Hold’em is similar to Texas Hold’em, but with a twist: you get four hole cards instead of two. To make a hand, players must use exactly two of their hole cards with three of the community cards. This creates bigger hand possibilities, leading to some seriously high-stakes hands. The most common version is Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), where bets are limited to the size of the pot, making it a fast-paced choice for more experienced players.

Seven Card Stud

Before Texas Hold’em took over, Seven Card Stud was the classic poker game. Here, players get seven cards each: three face-down and four face-up. Unlike Hold’em or Omaha, there are no community cards — each player works only with their own seven cards to create the best five-card hand. It’s a bit slower-paced and more strategy-focused, so it’s ideal if you like reading your opponents and piecing together clues from visible cards.

Razz

Razz is a unique type of poker where the goal is to make the lowest possible hand instead of the highest. Each player gets seven cards, similar to Seven Card Stud, and the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 (straights and flushes don’t count here). Razz is a niche game but a fun challenge if you want something outside the usual “best hand wins” approach.

Chinese poker

Chinese Poker is a unique variant where each player receives 13 cards to arrange into three poker hands—a top (3-card) hand, a middle (5-card) hand, and a bottom (5-card) hand. The goal is to set these hands in order of strength, with the bottom hand being the strongest and the top the weakest. Unlike traditional poker, there's no betting during play, just scoring based on the strength of each hand compared to opponents’.

Crypto poker tournaments

Crypto poker tournaments are set up for players by various poker sites who like a bit of competition and structure. A tournament can come in various formats:

• Sit & Go: A single-table event that starts as soon as enough players (usually 6-10) are seated. These are quick, intense, and perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
• Multi-table tournaments (MTTs): Bigger tournaments with multiple tables and lots of players. The game progresses as players are eliminated, with a sizable payout for those who make it to the final table. If you’re in for a challenge and want a shot at big winnings, MTTs are a good choice.
• Freerolls: Free-entry tournaments that offer small crypto prizes. They’re a great way to practice without risking your bankroll.

Poker’s easy to learn but tricky to master, especially when you get into reading other players’ bets and expressions (even online, this counts!). Let’s talk about it for a bit.

How to understand other players' moves

Reading players in crypto poker can be a bit different since there’s no actual face-to-face element. But you can still pick up on patterns and habits through their betting styles and how they play in certain situations. Here are some tips on how to read your opponents even if you’re on a screen.

Watch for betting patterns

The way someone bets can reveal a lot about their hand. For example:

• Consistent small bets: They might be trying to keep you in the game with a good hand. It’s a tactic to reel in more chips over time.
• Sudden big bet: This could mean they hit something big, like a top pair or better. But sometimes, it’s a bluff, especially if they’re trying to scare you off. Check if they bet big like this in other hands to gauge if they’re bluffing.
• Hesitant raises: If they take a bit longer to raise, they could be deciding whether their hand’s strong enough to bet on — or they’re just pretending to have doubts to make you think that.

Pay attention to timing

How quickly or slowly someone bets can hint at how confident they are:

• Instant call or raise: They might have a pre-set plan. If they’re doing this a lot, it could mean they’re going all-in on a specific strategy.
• Long pauses: If they suddenly take longer than usual to make a move, they might be calculating odds for a marginal hand or trying to fake indecision.

Look for patterns over time

Because crypto poker is a mix of players, some like to play aggressively while others are more cautious. Watch their moves over a few rounds:

• Aggressive players: They’ll often make big bets or raises early on, hoping you’ll fold. Look out for this, and don’t be too quick to let go of a decent hand against them.
• Passive players: These players tend to check or call more often, playing it safe. If they suddenly bet big, that’s usually a sign they’ve got a strong hand.

Test with small bets

If you’re unsure, you can make a smaller bet to test their response. Players with a strong hand might not be able to resist raising, while someone with a weaker hand might fold right away. This way, you get more info without risking too much.

Track their bluffing style

If a player has bluffed a few times, you’ll notice their “style.” Some bluff with a big all-in, while others do it subtly with smaller bets. If they bluff a lot and get caught, they might adjust, so keep an eye out for changes in their game.

Even without the face-to-face element, crypto poker has its own form of “tells.” Watch your opponents, get a feel for their betting habits, and adapt your play to outsmart them.

Still, your job is not only to watch your opponent but to use the best poker strategy yourself. Here is what you can choose from.

Strategies for playing crypto poker

If you’re new to poker, it’s better to stick to one strategy. But when you master them all, you can combine some of these strategies to make the game more confusing for your opponents.

Tight-aggressive strategy

This approach means playing fewer hands but playing them hard when you do. With crypto poker, where players often join and leave tables quickly, the TAG style helps you minimize risk while keeping control over the pot.

You’ll want to choose high-quality starting hands (think pairs, big connectors) and bet aggressively once you’re in the game. This forces opponents to make tough decisions and can put them under pressure, especially when they’re unsure of your hand.

Bluffing strategy

Since you can’t physically see opponents and crypto poker tables often have a mix of playstyles, you’ll want to bluff selectively. The best times to bluff are when you notice an opponent playing tight or folding often — these players are more likely to fold on a bluff.

Avoid bluffing against players who seem overly loose or call too often, as they’re harder to sway.

Small ball strategy

The small ball strategy is about making frequent, smaller bets to slowly build the pot without risking too much on each hand. This strategy lets you see more flops and stay in more hands, all while limiting potential losses.

It’s especially useful in crypto poker tournaments, where the goal is often to survive and accumulate small wins over time. While playing small ball, you can often “trap” opponents who bet big too early, giving you an opportunity to pounce when you’re holding a strong hand.

Positional play strategy

In poker, your position at the table matters, and it’s even more crucial in crypto poker, where you may lack a read on your opponents. Playing from a late position (closer to the dealer’s right) is advantageous because you can see how everyone else acts first. This strategy lets you adapt and make more informed decisions, giving you the upper hand in critical moments.

Value betting strategy

In crypto poker, this strategy involves placing well-calculated bets that others will feel inclined to call, especially if they’re unsure or playing too passively. Value betting works best against opponents who don’t fold easily but aren’t overly aggressive, as you can steadily chip away at their stack.

Choose the style that best fits your comfort level and table conditions, and adapt as needed to stay ahead. And, if you also apply the following tips, the chances of leaving the table with your pockets full are pretty high.

Tips on playing crypto poker

Regardless of the strategy you choose, these tips are helpful to stress less and have more fun with crypto and Bitcoin poker.

Start with small stakes and build up

Crypto’s volatility means the value of your winnings can shift, so it’s smart to get a feel for the game and platform without risking too much. Plus, this helps you read the betting patterns and player tendencies easily, especially if you’re playing against more experienced crypto poker players.

Balance your bluffs

Bluffing is essential, but the key is knowing when and how often to do it. If you’re bluffing too often, even online opponents will catch on. So try “semi-bluffing” — making a small bluff when you have a chance to improve your hand. This way, if the bluff is called, you still have a shot at landing a winning hand.

Adapt to the сrypto element

Crypto poker has unique factors, like variable transaction speeds and potential fees when cashing out. This can affect your bankroll management. It’s a good idea to factor in these details when choosing tables and stakes, so you’re not losing more than expected to network fees or charges on deposits and withdrawals.

Use bankroll management

With crypto’s value swinging sometimes, bankroll management is crucial. Set aside a portion of your crypto strictly for poker and keep your bets within a set percentage of this bankroll. This approach ensures you’re not going all-in on every hand, giving you a better shot at long-term success.

Experiment with tournaments

Tournaments are a great way to practice poker strategy without breaking the bank. Freeroll tournaments are particularly good for getting a feel for competitive play and sharpening your skills without risking any crypto. They’re also a great way to grow your bankroll without an initial outlay.

With these tips, you can be sure that every poker match will be fun, and you’ll take at least some of the pot with you. And by playing with Sportbet.one, you can be sure that getting started and withdrawing parts are also super easy for you.

How to get started with Sportbet.one

To play crypto poker on Sportsbet, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Create an account

Go to Sportbet.one site and sign up on the platform with email, social media, or your crypto wallet in one click. Make sure to enable two-factor authentication for added security.

Fund your account

Go to the deposit section and send tokens from your crypto wallet directly to your Sportbet account. You can also buy crypto without leaving the platform using our built-in exchange. We accept various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, EOS, Litecoin, and Solana, allowing you to play without worrying about crypto's value swings.

Explore the poker section

Check out the available different games and tournaments in the poker section. Sportbet.one offers Texas Hold’em and 14 other popular poker variants.

Play and enjoy

Once you find your game, just join the table and start playing.

That’s it - plain and simple. Once you have enough money you want to withdraw, you can do it as easily. Just request a withdrawal and get your winnings in your crypto wallet within minutes.

Level up your poker game with crypto

In the end, crypto poker is where the old adrenaline of poker meets the new-age benefits of crypto, making it a step above the traditional tables. It’s quick to start and easy to get the hang of, and with platforms like sportbet.one, you’re all set for a secure, flexible, and fast gambling experience. So, if you’re ready to enter the future of poker, all it takes is a few clicks — and you’re in the game.