Sin City, or Las Vegas, is best known for its casino and nightlife, the desert city in Nevada is also a top choice destination for tourists all over the world. This is not only because of the promise of massive casinos, exclusive poker rooms and endless aisles of slot machines. There is so much to explore in Las Vegas; for foodies, it is an absolute paradise. If you have a healthy appetite and don't know where to start, then you can jump straight into any of these top 10 buffets. Instead of reading a menu in a restaurant or ordering from a kiosk stand, you can walk straight up to where the food is being served and let your growling stomach pick for you.

1. The Cosmopolitan – Wicked Spoon Buffet

Wicked Spoon is a great choice for the diner who does not know what they want to eat, but enjoys all worldly cuisines. It is in the Cosmopolitan casino, which is right on the Vegas Strip, and has a cold bar, brunch station, Asian station, Breakfast inspired section, an international station, a grill station, and of course, desserts. The buffet is open 8 am-3 pm on weekdays and 9 am-4 pm on weekends. Breakfast is $38 for adults and $19 for children and lunch is $45 for adults and $22.50 for children.

Once you are done eating and drinking, then you can explore the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Casino. It features a large variety of games, including slots, video poker, table games and poker. You can also bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook and Lounge.

• 100,000 square feet of gaming space
• Over 1,300 slots and video poker machines
• Tables with Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat and Poker
• BetMGM Sportsbook and Lounge

2. Caesars Palace – Bacchanal Buffet

Bacchanal Buffet is like having 9 restaurants in one. It is quite pricey, but you are certainly in for a treat as there are 9 food stations and 10 kitchens serving over 250 different meals. All the foods are presented well, so you can stroll around the buffet and work up your appetite while viewing everything it has to offer. Bacchanal Buffet is open on all days from 9 am to 10 pm except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays when it opens from 3.30 pm to 10 pm.

The buffet is located in the heart of Caesars Palace, which sits on the Las Vegas Strip. It s one of the largest casinos in Vegas, with over 120,000 square feet dedicated to gaming. You can play all sorts of slots and jackpot games, as well as popular table games and poker tournaments. A key highlight is Caesars Sportsbook, which is perfect for NFL and College Football fans and features a 143′ Ultra HD screen.

• 120,000 square feet of gaming space
• Over 1,300 slot machines
• Over 185 table games and 4,500 square foot casino poker room
• Caesars Sportsbook with everything from Race bets to NFL props bets

3. Bellagio – Bellagio Buffet

The Bellagio is a casino that is part of the MGM Casino Resort franchise and is one of the key highlights on the Vegas Strip. The casino is one of the most prestigious venues in Vegas, and guests can have an exceptional dining experience at the Bellagio Buffet. The buffet covers cuisines from all over the world, specialising in Italian, American, Chinese and Japanese cuisines, and exploring all their delicacies. It is not massively expensive either, so you can go on a budget and still get a value meal. The buffet opens from 8.00 am to 3 pm on Mondays through Sundays and opens in the evening from 5 pm to 9 pm on Wednesdays through Sundays.

Once you finish your meal, you can head over to the Bellagio casino, which has one of the biggest collections of slot machines. The casino also features a Club Prive, which is a high-limit lounge with a whisky bar and cigars. If the casino games don't win you over, then you can spend some time at the 5,600 square foot sportsbook, which has 99 racing monitors and over 30 sports bar screens.

• Over 150,000 square feet of gaming space
• More than 2,300 machines with progressive jackpots too
• High rollers club and 40 poker tables
• BetMGM Sportsbook

4. Senor Frogs – Drag Brunch

Senor Frogs is not a casino, but it is a Mexican-themed bar and grill chain that has destinations all over the States and Mexico. The food is fantastic, with some classic dishes on the menu such as Quesadillas, Jalapeno Poppers, Nachos, and Burritos. The biggest surprise is the drag brunch, in which you get served by drag queens, who will spice up the atmosphere with their amazing wit and dance moves. Seriously, it is something you will have to add to your bucket list, and the drag brunch will not let you down.

Senor Frogs is located right on the strip and is a short walk from the Venetian, Treasure Island Casino and the Wynn. You can hop in for a quick bite here and then go to any of the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, and see if the zesty Mexican food brings you any luck.

5. MGM – Grand Buffet

The MGM Grand Buffet is a major attraction in the MGM Grand Casino. On the Vegas Strip, you only need to walk into the casino, past the MGM Grand front desk, and you will instantly spot the Grand Buffet. The buffet has a massive selection of culinary options and is open from 8 am to 3 pm. In addition to the wide range of foods, there are plenty of special offers, including an All You Can Drink Special that includes beer, wine and mimosa.

While you are there, you might as well check out the casino. There is a reason why tourists flock to the MGM Grand Casino – it is among the largest casinos in the world and is packed with all sorts of thrilling games. For slots players, there are loads of games, with denominations from 1c to $1,000. If that is not enough, there is an additional High Limit Slots area, where the payouts can go up to $500,000. MGM Grand Casino also has an outstanding sportsbook, with 60 HD TVs to watch all the action.

• Over 170,000 square feet of gaming space
• Over 2,500 gaming machines, and 139 poker and table games
• High Limit Slots Area for slots enthusiasts
• BetMGM Sportsbook with 60 TVs

6. Wynn – The Buffet at Wynn

The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas is a solid choice for an early breakfast or hearty brunch. From 8 am to 9 am, it serves the Early Riser Breakfast menus, and then from 9 am to 1 pm, you can catch all the excellent brunch meals. On Fridays and weekends, the kitchens stay open until 9 pm, so you can also stay for some gourmet dinners. This buffet has 16 live-action cooking stations, and its all-you-can-eat offer is a true explosion of flavours. There are 120 different dishes to try out, and it specialises in seafood.

The lavish atmosphere is a treat for any occasion, and should it put you in the mood for some gaming, then you can head straight on to the expansive gaming floors. There are over 1,800 slot machines, including games with denominations of up to $1,000 per spin. The Wynn sits proudly on the Northeast corner of the Vegas Strip and is one of the most popular destinations for gamers.

• Over 110,000 square feet of gaming space
• More than 1,900 slot machines
• Over 135 table games spread across two floors
• Poker room, Keno lounge and Baccarat salon
• Race and Sportsbook

7. Luxor – The Buffet at Luxor

Luxor Casino is located on the southern end of the Vegas Strip, and The Buffet at Luxor provides a fantastic casual dining experience. It opens at 8 am and closes at 3 pm, and during those times you can tuck into all sorts of meals. The Buffet features a 30-foot salad bar as well as a homemade pizza station, carving station and even an omelette station. There are also desserts and many other specialities to explore.

On the subject of exploration, Luxor has the largest atrium in the world, and you can also find loads of amazing games in over 120,00 square feet of gaming space. The slot jackpots are generous, with Luxor paying out over $16 million in jackpot prizes every year. Alternatively, you can try out Blackjack, Roulette, Craps of 3 Card Poker table games, as well as several others. If you are not in the mood for gaming, then perhaps you can sit and unwind in the BetMGM Sportsbook, which plays all the largest sports events and has plenty of exciting betting opportunities.

• Largest atrium in the world and over 120,000 square foot casino floor
• Over 1,100 slots and High Limit area
• 62 Tables with Blackjack, Roulette and Craps
• BetMGM Sportsbook

8. Excalibur – The Buffet

Excalibur Casino is not far from Luxor Casino, and it is also one of the iconic casino hotels on the Vegas Strip. Originally known as the Round Table Buffet, the Buffet at Excalibur is a chic and modern place to eat that will not break the bank. You can eat here any day between 7 am and 2 pm and can try out all sorts of foods, from pancakes and bacon to shrimp and fruits. There is also a made-to-order crepes and omelettes station.

The casino has a medieval theme, with many themed shows featuring sword fights and jousting. It also has a large selection of games, which are spread across over 90,000 square feet. Though there are plenty of high stakes games here, you can find many that will suit a smaller budget. Slots and all sorts of table games do not require you to spend the big bucks, which appeals to many visitors.

• Over 90,000 square foot game floor
• More than 2,600 slots
• 100 table games including Blackjack, Roulette and Craps
• BetMGM Sportsbook at Excalibur

9. Circus Circus – Circus Buffet

The Buffet at Circus Circus is affordable and gives a traditional Vegas dining experience. Opening at 7 am, breakfast foodies can eat all sorts of pastries, fresh fruit, hot breakfast foods or go for the cereal bar. The breakfast and brunch times last until 2 pm. The Buffet then reopens at 4.30 pm and stays open until 10 pm, so you can come back for dinner and try heartier fish meals or pasta, pizza, burgers, or meat roasts.

Circus Circus is on the northern part of The Strip and has a large variety of casino games. Like Excalibur, you can play here with a smaller budget. The slots and table games have denominations from $0.01 to $25, and there is a special Slots a Fun entertainment arcade full of new games.

• Over 120,000 square foot casino
• Three full-size casinos with over 2,200 slots and video machines
• 30 table games with Blackjack, 3 Card Poker, Roulette and Craps
• Special Slots a Fun arcade games

10. Westgate -Fresh Buffet

Westgate Casino is not far from Circus Circus, at the Northern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The Fresh Buffet is one of its key features, which has a large variety of meals. During weekends, the Fresh Buffet is open from 7 am to 2 pm, and during the week it stays open until 8 pm. Breakfast, brunch and dinner are all served here, and there is plenty of choice, including a carving station, seafood station, and other international foods.

Westgate is one of the older casinos on The Strip and was opened in 1969. It has over 50,000 square feet of gaming space, across which you can find over 550 slot machines. Though the casino is not as large as some of its rival casinos, Westgate's sportsbook, the SuperBook, is billed as the largest in the world.

• Over 50,000 square foot casino space
• More than 550 slots machines
• 38 table games and 10 poker tables
• The SuperBook Bar and Sportsbook

Conclusion

It is never a good idea to go gaming on an empty stomach. But you will not need to anyhow, as you can fuel up on some satisfactory meals at any of these excellent buffets. The casinos on The Strip are renowned for their award-winning dining options. It does not matter whether you want to eat a big meal, a light snack, spend a lot or stick to a budget. You can find it all in Las Vegas.

The post 10 Best Buffets in Las Vegas (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

As the digital landscape continues to expand its horizons, so too does the world of online casinos, offering players an exhilarating escape into a realm of gaming and entertainment. In the vibrant nation of Mexico, where rich history, culture, and zest for life converge, the popularity of online casinos has soared to unprecedented heights. The convenience of playing from the comfort of one's home, coupled with a diverse array of games, has made these virtual platforms a favored pastime for many Mexican gambling enthusiasts.

However, with a plethora of online casinos vying for attention, it can be quite a challenge to distinguish the wheat from the chaff. Fear not, as we embark on an exciting journey through the top 10 online casinos in Mexico, where players can revel in an unparalleled gaming experience, irrespective of their gaming preferences.

From classic table games to innovative slot machines, these digital gambling havens leave no stone unturned when it comes to delivering an adrenaline-pumping adventure. We will delve into the key attributes that set these online casinos apart, focusing on their game variety, user experience, security measures, customer support, and payment options, while omitting the mention of bonuses to provide a comprehensive and unbiased overview.

1.  Spin Casino

You can choose from 100s of popular slot machines including both classic 3-reel slots and 5-reel slots. Table players also can rejoice since the Casino has multiple versions of blackjack, roulette, craps, and all of the table games that you would expect.  If it's live action that you're after, Spin Casino has top rated live dealer tables for roulette, baccarat, and blackjack, all are available 24/7.

Spin Casino was established in 2001 and is one of the oldest and most successful online casinos in the world. They cater to residents of Mexico by offering a superb package of casino games, as well as responsive 24/7 customer service.

Android and iOS apps are available for mobile users.

Read our Spin Casino Review or visit Spin Casino.

2.  Spin RIO

It is always fiesta time at Spin Rio Casino. This site went live in 2021 and has a Brazilian carnival theme, with plenty of vibrant casino games and gigantic jackpot titles on offer. Gamers will revel in the sheer volume of casino titles, and they are all brought from the world’s best game and software providers such as Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Inspired, NetEnt and Playtech. On the main page, there is a reel in which you can see the latest big wins at Spin Rio, and the casino has nothing to be shy about, paying out vast rewards and very frequently.

Spin Rio Casino has a massive variety of games, ranging from thrilling themed slot games to immersive live dealer games. On the homepage, you can browse through all the wondrous games that this casino has to offer, and click on collections such as Featured Games, New, Slots, Jackpots, Drops & Wins, Table Games and All Games.

If you are looking for an uplifting casino with quality titles and big jackpots, then this is the place for you. Spin Rio coveys its carnival vibes through splendid games that are packed with action and features to keep you on your toes.

Read our Spin RIO Casino Review or visit Spin RIO Casino.

3.  Vegas Lands

VegasLand is a fun casino and sportsbook that went live in 2022. It brings a fresh dynamic with its crisp interface and quirky casino titles. Members of this casino can pick from over 1,000 titles including all the latest slots that have hit the market. VegasLand Sport has a great selection of bets on over 40 sports. This includes various eSports, niche sports and extensive betting markets for horse race punters.

VegasLand provides thousands of betting markets at a time, covering all international and domestic competitions. Tennis, basketball, ice hockey, American football and horse racing events also have great coverage, so you can always find bets to place. Punters who are more into cricket, baseball, badminton, formula one, rugby, boxing, snooker or darts can also find ample opportunities to win money at VegasLand.

Read our Vegasland Review or visit VegasLand.

4.  Mr. Play Casino

Launched in 2017, Mr. Play is a vibrant casino with a fresh interface, offering gamers and punters a multitude of different types of casino games and some awesome betting opportunities. Owned by Marketplay Ltd, a brand of Aspire Global International Ltd, Mr. Play has access to a massive portfolio of games, all of which have been fully tested and are verifiably safe to play. With slots, table games, live dealer games and a wild assortment of sports betting options, Mr. Play certainly covers all of its bases.

Mr. Play, the fun-loving casino, divides its games into three categories, all of which have their own pages. You can pick from Casino, Live Casino and Scratch Cards, and on each page the games are separated into neat collections, making it extremely easy to navigate. The games at Mr. Play are provided by big developers such as NetEnt, Inspired Gaming, Spinomenal, Pragmatic Play, and many more.

Mr. Play has a well-rounded sportsbook, offering bets not only for the most popular sports but also for many niche sports and there is also a good selection of eSports too. The interface is top notch, presenting all the different sports you can bet on, the next events, and it is easy to switch between pregame betting markets and live bets. There are tabs for highlights, my favourites, top offer and horse racing, in which you can jump straight to the action you want to bet on and find all the best offers.

Read our Mr. Play Casino Review or visit Mr. Play Casino.

5.  Zetbet Casino

ZetBet was established in 2022 and is a hotspot for casino games and fantastic betting opportunities. Owned by Marketplay Ltd, which is one of the brands operated by Aspire Global Ltd, ZetBet has access to the best games in the market today, and all of its content is verifiably safe to play and tested for fairness. These games were developed by pioneering software and game providers such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Red Tiger Gaming, and many more.

ZetBet has a large sportsbook that is bound to please both regular and casual sports bettors. Whether you want to make detailed bets on your favourite sports or you fancy betting on multiple sports, you can do it all here. The interface is excellent, showing you the full range of sports coverage and extensive betting markets that you can pick from for all the top sporting events around the world. You can favourite certain events, which is a great plus for when you place weekly bets on specific teams, as you can see them all compiled together.

Read our Zetbet Casino Review or visit Zetbet Casino.

6.  Regent Play

There is an almost endless supply of slots at Regent Play, from old classics such as Starburst and Rainbow Riches to all the latest games that are hitting the market today. You can just as easily find stripped-back  3-reel fruit slots with simple mechanics as you can find big Megaways slots with all sorts of added features and bonuses. A lot of gamers have particular themes they are more interested in, and Regent Play keeps that in mind as it provides a large diversity of themed slots. You can travel back to Ancient Egypt in your gaming just as you can go into the wild nature or into an amazing fantasy land. The choice is yours.

Entering the live casino, you will find a tremendous selection of top notch live dealer games. Most of these titles are supplied by Evolution Gaming, which is one of the most prestigious developers in the live game genre. There is an abundance of choice for Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker players. The live dealer games are all of the highest quality, and there are many interesting avenues to explore. 

Read our Regent Play Casino Review or visit Regent Play Casino.

The post 6 Best Mexico Online Casinos (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

Blueprint Gaming is a slot and table game developer that is based in the UK. The company has been around since 2001 when it was creating equipment and games for land casinos. Blueprint then ventured into the iGaming world, and created slots and gaming solutions for online casinos. When the company was acquired in 2012 by Gauselmann Group, it grew exponentially. With offices opening around the world, Blueprint Gaming could fully realise its vision.

Innovative games with a diverse range of features are what slots players can expect from Blueprint Gaming. There are over 150 titles in Blueprint Gamings catalogue, including branded slots, series, arcade slots, and more. Fans of classic pub fruit machines can get nostalgic over the Pub Fruit series. The Deal or No Deal series has plenty of exciting slots that each come with special features. Fans of series or shows will enjoy the Top Cat, the Goonies, Rick and Morty, Ted, Beavis and Butt-Head, and Donkey Kong branded games.

One thing you are always guaranteed with Blueprint Gaming slots is that they will be loaded with features. The company has plenty of experience with creating gaming content, and they know what works and what does not. You can expect highly engaging games that can entertain for hours on end.

1.  Jackbit Casino

JackBit offers over 6,600 casino games with an impressive selection of slot machines. Whether you are into classic fruit slots, themed slots, or branded slots, you will certainly find your fair share of entertainment in JackBit’s vast portfolio.

JackBit has an impressive collection of table games. Not only will you be able to play classic table games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette, but there are plenty of other casino games you can give a go. If you have never tried Pai Gow, Red Dog, Dragon Tiger, Casino Barbut, or SicBo, then you will have the chance to explore these games, and many more.

For a truly immersive experience, you can head over to the live casino games. Here, JackBit offers its players a large variety of games to try out. All the most popular casino games are covered, including baccarat, blackjack, caribbean stud poker, craps, roulette. These live games are streamed directly from a real-life casino in HD, giving you an atmospheric and enjoyable experience.

Read our Jackbit Casino Review or visit Jackbit Casino.

2.  BC.Game

BC.Game is one of the best places for playing casino games and making sports bets using cryptocurrency. The casino was launched in 2017 and belongs to BlockDance BV. When entering the website, you will feel a sense of arrival as you are flooded with promotions, displays with the latest wins, recommended games, and more. What makes this casino even more exciting is the fact that you can play any game or place any bet using cryptocurrencies.

There are over 7,000 games to pick from at BC.Game, covering a wide range of different types of slots, table games, live dealer games, and many other hidden gems. On the list of providers, the first name you will see is BC.Game.

That’s right, the casino also develops its own exclusive games, and there are plenty of interesting options. After that, the reel will show you many top-rated game creators such as Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, NoLimit City, NetEnt, Play’n GO, and more.

Read our BC.Game Casino Review or visit BC.Game

3.  Cosmic Slot

This is a popular online casino especially in Australia, one of the reasons for this is that Cosmic Slot has a lot more slot machines than anywhere else. The platform actually works with numerous software companies that are supplying it with games – all highly reputable and known for the best games you could find, such as the leader in game development, Microgaming itself. Apart from Microgaming, its software also comes from Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Betsoft, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, GamziX, Onlylay, Leander, Concept Gaming, and many more.

In total, the platform has 73 game suppliers, which allows it to offer over 3,100 casino games at the time of writing. That means that you could play a new game every day for about eight and a half years and never play the same game twice, which is an incredible game library. The games themselves are split into different categories, each of different color to make it easier for gamblers to navigate and find what they need.

For mobile users they offer both Android & iOS apps.

Read our Cosmic Slot Review or visit Cosmic Slot.

4.  Slots Magic

Established in 2014, Slots Magic Casino holds a Malta Gaming Authority license. The platform has hundreds of games, with over 300 of them being slots alone as well as 100s of various table games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette. There are also 40 live dealer games, which are a great way to experience real casino vibes from the comfort of your home or on the go.

Slots magic is available on mobile, it supports around 9 payment methods, minimum deposits are also very low — around $10, while withdrawals are only $20, which is quite low in the online gambling industry. The platform also has great customer support, featuring a rich and well-organized FAQ section, as well as email and live chat for contacting customer service agents directly.

Read our Slots Magic review  or visit Slots Magic Casino.

5.  PlayOJO

Established in 2017, PlayOJO is a highly regulated casino that offers more than 3000 games developed by some of the leading casino software developers. It is licensed by the authorities of Malta and the UK.

The casino partners with the likes of Microgaming, Blueprint Gaming, Yggdrasil, Evolution Gaming, BigTime Gaming, Play’n GO, Elk Studios, Pragmatic Play, IGT, Merkur, NetEnt, and many more. There are 1000s of slot machines, they have all of the popular table games, and have over 60 live games including baccarat, blackjack, and roulette.

Its customer service is available via email, live chat, and phone support, and the platform itself is protected by strong encryption. Still, it manages to remain user-friendly and available via mobile devices. All in all, it is another great platform that definitely deserves a second glance.

They offer both Android & iOS Apps.

Read our PlayOJO Review or visit PlayOJO Casino.

6.  Woo Casino

Woo Casino was created in 2020 and features over 1,000 casino games from over 90 different providers. The volume and diversity of games will suit virtually all players, as the slots, live games, and table games are all extremely well-stocked. The structure of the website is also commendable, as you can instantly find all the latest promotions, gaming categories, and a live feed which displays all the latest winners and how much they have won.

If you like live dealer games, then Woo Casino is the place for you. There is an abundance of choice that includes titles from major developers such as Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play Live, as well as a handful of others. Here, there are also a number of exclusive games and also titles which support crypto – which is a rare perk amongst online casinos.

They also offer 1000s of slot machines including exclusive titles such as Alchemist Bonanza, Book of Woo, Elvis Frog in Woo Casino, and numerous others.

Read our Woo Casino Review or visit Woo Casino.

7.  Turbonino

Since being established in 2020, Turbonino Casino has grown to be a huge hit, available in countries around the globe, including most of Europe. The platform features hundreds upon hundreds of games from dozens of providers. It has over 20 deposit methods and nearly as many withdrawal methods.

It is available via mobile, and its customer support can be reached via email or live chat. The website itself is easy to navigate and use, and if you choose to access it via mobile, you will find that the mobile version of the platform looks exactly the same, which makes navigation very easy.

Turbonino Casino has a lot to offer, which is why we recommend heading over to its platform and researching all the features and aspects of the website.

Read our Turbonino Review or visit Turbonino.

8.  Lucky Niki

Nearing the end of the list, we have LuckyNiki — a platform established in 2017 that is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Like others on this list, it is available in multiple languages, it supports multiple currencies.

With over a dozen software developers, the platform is rich with games of all kinds, from slots to blackjack, baccarat, video poker, craps, roulette, as well as other games. It is also one of the rare platforms that feature more withdrawal methods than deposit methods, although it supports quite the popular options for both. Its customer support is available via email, live chat, or telephone, and its website is anime-themed and very easy to use.

Read our Lucky Niki Review or visit Lucky Niki.

9.  MyStake

Established in 2020, Mystake is an online casino and sportsbook that combines the best of both worlds, with masses of betting markets for sports and virtual sports, as well as an enormous collection of casino games.

The casino games at Mystake are provided by over 90 different developers. Mystake has some of the hottest slots on the market in its portfolio. Titles such as Big Bass Bonanza, Buffalo King Megaways, the Rich Rilde adventure slots series, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Valley of the Gods, and countless more. There are megaways, jackpots, bonus buy slots, slots with drops and wins, and other exciting types of slots to explore.

The live casino includes roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live poker, and live gameshows, amongst other games. Most of these games come from Evolution Gaming, but there are a few from Pragmatic Play Live, Lucky Streak, and others. Baccarat, roulette, and blackjack are all extremely well stocked, with plenty of different titles to pick from and even some variants that have their own twists. There are a handful of live poker games, including Casino Hold’em, Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker, and Single Poker, amongst others, but the pickings aren’t as large as with the other live games.

Read our MyStake Review or visit MyStake.

10.  Casoo Casino

Casoo Casino is a relatively young online gambling platform launched in 2019. It is owned and operated by SG International N.V., and it holds the Curacao gambling license.

In terms of games, the platform has a massive game library, with over 4,000 games in total. The games are provided by 43 different software developers, including some major games in the industry, such as Microgaming, NetEnt, BetGames.tv, BetSoft, Evolution Gaming, ELKStudios, Kiron, Play’n GO, Relax, Yggdrasil Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming, and many more.

Casoo Casino did an excellent job when it came to setting up customer support. Not only does it have a thorough and easily accessible FAQ, but it also has four methods of contacting its support team, which is available 24/7. You can submit a ticket where you can describe an issue that you may have, send an email, contact the team via live chat, or call them via phone.

Read our Casoo Casino Review or visit Casoo Casino.

The post 10 “Best” Blueprint Gaming Online Casinos (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

Sporting events have been an integral part of British culture for centuries, acting as a social glue that binds communities. From the thrill of watching a football match at a packed stadium to the intense silence that accompanies a test cricket game, sports have always evoked passion and brought people together in the UK. Adding to this excitement is another element – sports betting, which has increasingly carved a place for itself in the British sports landscape.

However, the proliferation of online sports betting platforms has also made it challenging to distinguish the best from the rest. There are factors to consider like security, user interface, the diversity of sporting events covered, payment options, and customer support quality. Not to mention, for seasoned bettors and novices alike, the credibility and reputation of these platforms are paramount.

Without further ado, let's delve into the top 10 sports betting sites in the UK.

1.  LeoVegas

Founded in 2011, LeoVegas is a sportsbook and a casino that is fully regulated and licensed by the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) and MGA (Malta Gaming Authority).

The sportsbook is quite excellent, and it is brimming with different sports and betting opportunities. After accessing this section of the platform, you will see a calendar with some of the biggest betting opportunities that will take place during the current day, as well as a section for the bets taking place during the several days to come.

Immerse yourself in the game like never before with fabulous in-play & pre-match betting markets on a wide range of sporting events.

To top things off they also offer over 1000 casino games, including over 700 slots, as well as a variety of other games like roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, poker, keno, and more, plus an entire section dedicated to live casino games.

Read our LeoVegas Review or visit LeoVegas.

2.  BetUK

BetUK went live in 2018 and is owned and operated by LeoVegas Gaming PLC. It is both a hugely popular sportsbook and casino, offering its customers the best of both worlds. The sportsbook covers over 30 different sports and has all sorts of expert betting tips and betting combinations that you can possibly need. If you are a gamer then you can enjoy the massive portfolio of casino games that include slots, table games, jackpots, and lots more.

BetUK's sports betting includes a bunch of the best events in both the UK and abroad. Whether you want to wager on boxing, cricket, football, golf, rugby, the sky is the limit.

BetUK is one of the most respected and popular betting brands in the UK, they've achieved this by offering second to none customer support and a myriad of betting options.

Read our BetUK Review or visit BetUK.

3.  All British Casino & Sportsbook

All British Casino is very user-friendly, with a well-designed website, support for multiple platforms, multiple popular payment methods, and, of course, it allows its users to deposit and use GBP directly.

Like all online casinos, All British Casino obtained the games it offers from a number of software developers with which it partnered. With nearly 25 providers working with the platform — including some major names like Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, Elk Studios, Thunderkick, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Nolimit City, and more — the casino has over 600 games to offer.

The sportsbook is recently launched and they offer betting on all popular sports including cricket, soccer, and much more.

Licensed by the British Gambling Commission under licence number: 38758.

Read our All British Casino Review or visit All British Casino.

4.  VegasLand Sportsbook

VegasLand is a fun casino and sportsbook that went live in 2022. It brings a fresh dynamic with its crisp interface and quirky casino titles. Members of this casino can pick from over 1,000 titles including all the latest slots that have hit the market. VegasLand Sport has a great selection of bets on over 40 sports. This includes various eSports, niche sports and extensive betting markets for horse race punters.

To cater for punters from the UK, there is a massive concentration on football bets. VegasLand provides thousands of betting markets at a time, covering all international and domestic competitions. Tennis, basketball, ice hockey, American football and horse racing events also have great coverage, so you can always find bets to place. Punters who are more into cricket, baseball, badminton, formula one, rugby, boxing, snooker or darts can also find ample opportunities to win money at VegasLand.

The bet slip, whilst a bit clunky in appearance, ticks all the boxes for the pro punter. It can be minimised and left at the bottom of your screen whilst you pick your bets. When you are ready to look at your slip, then you have the option of placing Single, Acca or System bets. Within the system bets there is an All Combinations button that allows you to pick whether you want to place singles doubles, trebles or a round robin bet (such as Patent, Lucky 15, Heinz, and so on). There are no added complications, and you can review your bet at any time.

Read our Vegasland Review or visit VegasLand.

5.  Mr. Play Casino

Launched in 2017, Mrplay is a vibrant casino with a fresh interface, offering gamers and punters a multitude of different types of casino games and some awesome betting opportunities. Owned by Marketplay Ltd, a brand of Aspire Global International Ltd, Mrplay has access to a massive portfolio of games, all of which have been fully tested and are verifiably safe to play. With slots, table games, live dealer games and a wild assortment of sports betting options, Mrplay certainly covers all of its bases.

Mr. Play has a well-rounded sportsbook, offering bets not only for the most popular sports but also for many niche sports and there is also a good selection of eSports too. The interface is top notch, presenting all the different sports you can bet on, the next events, and it is easy to switch between pregame betting markets and live bets. There are tabs for highlights, my favourites, top offer and horse racing, in which you can jump straight to the action you want to bet on and find all the best offers.

Whilst football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, American football and baseball may have the most extensive betting markets, you can still find ample coverage on sports with a smaller following. Formula 1, Cricket, Aussie Rules, Futsal, Golf and MMA are just some of the sports which Mr. Play also offers bets for, and these are not simply moneylines either, as there may be some handicaps, totals and even props offered on some key events. Horse and greyhound racing is also part of the package at Mr. Play, as you can bet on races and meetings from all over the world. For horse racing punters especially, there is a massive supply of bets at extremely competitive prices.

Licensed and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (Remote Gaming License Number 000-039483-R-319409-001)

Read our Mr. Play Review or visit Mr. Play Casino.

6.  Luckster Casino & Sportsbook

The sportsbook at Luckster is a delight, as it has lots of different tools and special features that you can tweak. It is a cinch to toggle between pregame and live betting options, but you can also check for bets on the upcoming 24 hours, 3 days, week or all events. If you bet regularly, then you can add certain events or teams to your favourites, and then check them all in the blink of an eye. The sportsbook not only covers all the major sports, but it has horse racing too, and a number of highly popular eSports.

Luckster offers you 40 sports categories to bet on, including popular, niche, esports and racing sports. You can find it all here, and the betting markets are extensive too, providing details bets on events. The sports with the most betting markets are football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, American football, table tennis, and a variety of eSports. Horse racing and Greyhound racing are well covered, with races from the UK & Ireland as well as international races and meetings.

Read our Luckster Review or visit Luckster.

7.  ZetBet Casino & Sportsbook

ZetBet was established in 2022 and is a hotspot for casino games and fantastic betting opportunities. Owned by Marketplay Ltd, which is one of the brands operated by Aspire Global Ltd, ZetBet has access to the best games in the market today, and all of its content is verifiably safe to play and tested for fairness. These games were developed by pioneering software and game providers such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Red Tiger Gaming, and many more.

ZetBet has a large sportsbook that is bound to please both regular and casual sports bettors. Whether you want to make detailed bets on your favourite sports or you fancy betting on multiple sports, you can do it all here. The interface is excellent, showing you the full range of sports coverage and extensive betting markets that you can pick from for all the top sporting events around the world. You can favourite certain events, which is a great plus for when you place weekly bets on specific teams, as you can see them all compiled together.

Read our ZetBet Review or visit Zetbet.

8.  RedAxe Play

9.  PriveWin

PriveWin is licenced and regulated by two of the most recognised gaming authorities in the world, the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. The online casino and sportsbook is owned and powered by ProgressPlay, a provider of casino and sportsbook turnkey solutions. ProgressPlay is well acquainted with the requirements of online gaming and it is a highly respected name in the industry.

PriveWin covers events in over 50 different sports including football. There is the option to make live bets, and all the ongoing events can easily be accessed from the main sportsbook lobby. Odds can be displayed in fractional, decimal or American form, and it is easy to put together a bet slip. You can make single bets and parlays, and there is also an option to create system bets. The one drawback is that there is no option to make full cover bets.

Read our PriveWin Review or visit PriveWin.

10.  MyStake

Established in 2020, Mystake is an online casino and sportsbook that combines the best of both worlds, with masses of betting markets for sports and virtual sports, as well as an enormous collection of casino games.

The casino games at Mystake are provided by over 90 different developers. Mystake has some of the hottest slots on the market in its portfolio. Titles such as Big Bass Bonanza, Buffalo King Megaways, the Rich Rilde adventure slots series, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Valley of the Gods, and countless more. There are megaways, jackpots, bonus buy slots, slots with drops and wins, and other exciting types of slots to explore.

The live casino includes roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live poker, and live gameshows, amongst other games. Most of these games come from Evolution Gaming, but there are a few from Pragmatic Play Live, Lucky Streak, and others. Baccarat, roulette, and blackjack are all extremely well stocked, with plenty of different titles to pick from and even some variants that have their own twists.

The sportsbook is top notch offering betting options on all major national and international sports.

Read our MyStake Review or visit MyStake.

Conclusion

Our team has combed through all the betting sites available in UK searching for the best and safest regulated platforms for sports betting. The result is the list you see above. While you can’t go wrong with any of them, some are bound to be more attractive to you than others, so the rest is up to you. Check them out, read our reviews to get a better understanding of what each of them has to offer, and have fun betting.

The post 10 “Best” UK Sports Betting Sites (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

Brazil's online casinos are not only garnering attention but also gaining immense popularity for several reasons. The key factors attributing to their growth are their intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that make navigating through various games a breeze for both seasoned players and beginners alike. Alongside this ease of use, these online platforms also boast a robust selection of games. These range from traditional classics to innovative games, each designed to provide players with an exhilarating gaming experience.

Furthermore, another crucial feature that these Brazilian casinos provide is the availability of Portuguese language support. This feature has significantly enhanced the gaming experience for local players. It creates a seamless user experience by breaking down language barriers, allowing players to enjoy the games, understand the rules, and interact with customer service in their native language.

1.  Jackpot City

Established in 1998, Jackpot City is your best bet if you've been looking for the best jackpots in Brazil. It features over 700 casino games, including over 500 slot machines, table games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, live dealer games, and video poker. Additionally, these games come from popular providers like Evolution Gaming and Microgaming with futuristic themes and cutting-edge graphics.

What's more, the operator is amongst the longest-serving Brazil online casinos, with over 20 years of operation. Hence, you'll receive top-of-the-line 24/7 customer support, fast payouts, and state of the art casino games. Thus, it's the perfect platform for all gamblers.

Read our Jackpot City Review or visit Jackpot City.

2.  Spin Casino

You can choose from 100s of popular slot machines including both classic 3-reel slots and 5-reel slots. Table players also can rejoice since the Casino has multiple versions of blackjack, roulette, craps, and all of the table games that you would expect.  If it's live action that you're after, Spin Casino has top rated live dealer tables for roulette, baccarat, and blackjack, all are available 24/7.

Spin Casino was established in 2001 and is one of the oldest and most successful online casinos in the world. They cater to residents of Brazil by offering a superb package of casino games, as well as responsive 24/7 customer service.

Android and iOS apps are available for mobile users.

Read our Spin Casino Review or visit Spin Casino.

3.  Boho Casino

Recently established in 2022, Boho Casino offers over 7900 online slots from 98 different providers, including some of the industry’s biggest names, like Microgaming, Yggdrasil, Evolution, NoLimit City, Play’n GO, 1x2Gaming, Thunderkick, and many many others.

The casino offers a user friendly platform that makes trying out the different variants of online blackjack seamless and easy. They also offer over 760+ live casino games to choose from including blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.

The customer support is also responsive, if you have have any questions you can contact them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via live chat.

Best of all they payout winnings fast, regardless of where you are in Brazil.

Read our Boho Casino Review or visit Boho Casino.

4.  Slots Gallery

Established in 2022, Slots Gallery features over 9500 casino games from 98 different software providers, making it one of the biggest casinos in the world. Some of the software brands include all-time favorites like Microgaming, Evolution, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Yggdrasil Gaming, BetSoft, NextGen Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Real Tiger, EAGaming, Thunderkick, 4 The Player, and many more.

This means you can play at all of the most popular slots in the world including all classical 3-reel slots, advanced 5-reel slots, and progressive jackpots. They offer authentic table games including multiple variants of realistic blackjack.

They offer various deposit methods including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, iDeal, Trustly, PaySafe Card, EcoPayz, and bank transfer.

Read our Slots Gallery Review or visit Slots Gallery.

5.  Ruby Fortune

Ruby Fortune has a stunning game selection thanks to its partnership with two of the largest and most popular software providers — Microgaming and Evolution Gaming. Both companies are well-known in the online gambling industry as some of the best game developers for casinos.

Microgaming is responsible for bringing us games such as Mega Moolah, Jurassic World, Thunderstruck, and Game of Thrones. Evolution Gaming, on the other hand, offers a number of different gaming categories, including roulette, poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and more, each with different variants.

Furthermore, Ruby Fortune also has its own dedicated app that is available for both Android and iOS, which has been around for years now.

Read our Ruby Fortune Review or visit Ruby Fortune.

6.  Gaming Club

Gaming Club Casino has long been known for its dedication to providing a top-tier gaming experience, and it continues to live up to its reputation as one of the premier online casinos in the industry. Since its establishment in 1994, it has consistently demonstrated its commitment to quality and innovation, thereby cementing its standing among gaming enthusiasts worldwide.

Gaming Club Casino stands out for its extensive game library. With over 500 games available, the platform offers a wide variety of options to cater to all types of gamers. This includes a vast array of slot games, from classic three-reel slots to more complex video slots with multiple paylines and immersive graphics. For those who prefer table games, the casino offers a comprehensive assortment of games such as Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker, which come in various iterations to keep things exciting.

Read our Gaming Club Review or visit Gaming Club.

7.  Royal Vegas Casino

Royal Vegas Casino features hundreds of great games that are all provided by one of the industry’s biggest and most reputable software providers — Microgaming. Thanks to this partnership, the platform has a lot to offer, including a large selection of online slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and many more games.

The casino has its own app that is available for free for Android and iOS devices alike. The app is usually preferred over the browser version by most users, as it is easier to access, and it was made specifically to be used on smartphones and tablets.

Overall, Royal Vegas Casino is one of the best available platforms for Brazilian online gamblers.

Read our Royal Vegas Casino Review or visit Royal Vegas Casino.

8.  Lucky Nugget

Established in 1998, Lucky Nugget Casino has been a stalwart player in the online gaming industry for over two decades. Powered by the esteemed software provider Microgaming, it delivers a reliable, secure, and immersive online casino experience. Marrying old-world charm with modern gaming technology, Lucky Nugget offers a unique blend of traditional and contemporary gaming elements.

It is mobile compatible, available in multiple languages, supports many different payment methods, and it has a rather impressive welcome bonus, plus promotions, and even VIP and loyalty program for long-term users.

Read our Lucky Nugget Review or visit Lucky Nugget Casino.

9.  Mummy’s Gold

Founded in 2003, Mummy's Gold Casino offers an exciting blend of rich gaming history and modern innovation. The online casino boasts a unique Egyptian theme that immediately captivates players, inviting them to uncover the treasures hidden within its game library. From the extensive range of games to the secure payment methods and dedicated customer support, Mummy's Gold Casino truly lives up to its reputation as a treasure trove for casino enthusiasts.

It is available on PC and mobile, in multiple languages, and with numerous payment methods, and an expert customer support available around the clock.

Read our Mummy’s Gold Review or visit Mummy’s Gold Casino.

10.  River Belle

River Belle Casino is a trusted brand known throughout New Zealand for around two and a half decades now. Launched in 1997, the platform was regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. It has more than 20 different languages supported, over 500 games on offer, support for multiple platforms, and numerous payment methods.

If you ever run into any issues, you can contact its customer support at any time of day or night to have them resolved. However, while it does have high welcome bonus, there are certain requirements that users must meet in order to get the bonus.

Read our River Belle Review, or visit to the River Belle Casino.

The post 10 Best Brazil Online Casinos (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

Welcome to the world of online casinos in Thailand, where the excitement of traditional brick-and-mortar gambling meets the convenience of the digital age. In this introduction, we'll take you on a virtual tour of the seven best online casinos in Thailand, each known for its exceptional gaming selection, security, Thai support, and user-friendly interfaces.

Step into the world of baccarat, craps, roulette, and slot machines, all at your fingertips. Thailand's online casino scene has flourished, and you can now enjoy these classic and thrilling casino games from the comfort of your home or on the go.

1.  Spin Casino

Spin Casino is a multilingual online platform established in 2001. Since the MGA and Kahnawake Gaming Commission license it, it’s a safe and secure casino. The operator also uses the unbending 128-Bit SSL encryption technology to protect players’ private information. The payouts and deposits are fast with trusted banking methods like Skrill, Visa, Neteller, MasterCard, etc.

The operator has a multitude of games from popular software providers like Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Microgaming, etc. These games include video slots, table games, video poker, Esports, and live dealers. The casino has captivating versions of baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, 100s of slot machines, and reliable customer support in both English and Thai.

Read our Spin Casino Review or visit Spin Casino.

2.  Jackpot City

What makes Jackpot City a high-end Thailand online gambling platform? The casino is home to the highest-paying jackpot slots with over 500 slot machines. Some of the progressive jackpots include Major Millions, Mega Moolah, King Cashalot. Other slots worth playing include Treasure Nile, Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck 2, Terminator 2, Jurassic World, etc.

Backed by the renowned Evolution Gaming software, the platform makes playing slots online 100% fun and exciting. All is achieved with its easy-to-navigate layout, unique themes, graphics, and sound effects. Hence, taking the iGaming experience into a whole unmatched level of satisfaction.

What's more, the operator is amongst the longest-serving Thailand online casinos, with over 20 years of operation. Hence, you'll receive top-of-the-line customer support, fast payouts, and state of the art slot machines. Thus, it's the perfect platform for all gamblers.

Read our Jackpot City Review or visit Jackpot City.

3.  Lucky Niki

Established in 2017, LuckyNiki is a casino that is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. They are a popular option for users from Thailand.

With over a dozen software developers, the platform is rich with games of all kinds, from slots to blackjack, baccarat, video poker, craps, roulette, as well as other games. It is also one of the rare platforms that feature more withdrawal methods than deposit methods, although it supports quite the popular options for both. Its customer support is available via email, live chat, or telephone, and its website is anime-themed and very easy to use.

Read our Lucky Niki Review or visit Lucky Niki.

4.  Winning Kings

Winning Kings Casino was created in 2020 by LuckyNiki. The casino operates in Thai and in Japanese, and there are numerous options when you want to make deposits or withdrawals. Players at Winning Kings are part of the King Club, a loyalty programme which offers plenty of bonuses and goodies to make playing at the casino even more engaging.

Winning Kings offers lots of live dealer games where players can play against real dealers and watch high-definition streams straight from the casino. Not only can you find all the standard casino staples such as Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, but you can also find a number of gameshows.

The best slots collections always have a diversity of features, slots formats, bonus games, and of course, brilliant graphics and themes. Winning Kings ticks all the boxes, with masses of action-packed slots. There are jackpot games, such as Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Dragon’s Luck Power Reels, or the Goonies, where you have a chance of winning some truly mouth-watering prizes.

Read our Winning Kings Casino Review or visit Winning Kings.

5. Happy Luke

Established in 2015, Happy Luke offers over 3,000 casino games and a lot of them are aimed at Thai players. It has an unrivalled collection of live games, including different language casino standards and all sorts of thrilling game shows.

Slots players can rejoice, there's over 2000 slot machines waiting for you from top software providers such as Pragmatic Play, Booming Games, Evoplay, Microgaming, NetEnt, Play’n GO and Red Tiger.

Happy Luke Casino houses a wide variety of top-quality games and attracts players from all over Asia. It is a reputable casino that has great customer support, crypto gaming opportunities, and an ever-growing collection of games.

Read our Happy Luke Review or visit Happy Luke.

6.  Live Casino House

Launched in 2018, Live Casino House offers over 3,000 games ranging from classic slots to live casino games that are streamed in high definition. Powered by Bally’s Interactive software, it provides high performance and runs effortlessly across all platforms. Live Casino House specialises in Asian games, with lots of exotic titles.

A lot of the content at Live Casino House is specially picked for Asian players. In the live games, there are Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese and Thai hosts, amongst others. The slots include themed titles such as Mahjong Ways, Caishen Wins, 3 Kingdoms, Moon Princess, Shaolin’s Tiger and many more. There are also a handful of themed Keno games such as Firefly Keno, Fu88 and Pachinko.

There are enough Blackjack and Roulette titles to keep gamers happy, with some interesting variants such as Astro Roulette, PNG Roulette, Ultimate American 5-Handed Blackjack and European Blackjack Multihand. Baccarat is similarly well-stocked at Live Casino House, with gaming options such as One Touch Baccarat, Zero Commission Baccarat and Dragon Bonus Baccarat. In addition to these classic games, the casino houses a number of poker and video poker titles such as Texas Hold’em and Jacks or Better. amongst others.

Read our Live Casino House Review or visit Live Casino House.

7. River Belle Casino

Established in 1997, River Belle is one oldest online casinos on this list. The company is an extremely trusted brand in Thailand, featuring full mobile optimization, very low minimum deposits, Thai customer service and multiple deposit options.

River Belle has professional customer support, it holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority and Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and as for its game library, there are over 500 titles – plenty for the Thai audience to find anything it wants, be it slots or something else.

Read our River Belle Casino Review or visit River Belle Casino.

The post 7 Best Thailand Online Casinos (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

In poker, it does not get much better than forming a straight flush. This hand does not come around often, so you must always prepare yourself for a stroke of good fortune. The worst thing you can do is act too quickly and miss out on the opportunity to turn the round into a goldmine.

What is a Straight Flush in Poker?

A straight flush is a combination of a flush and a straight. A flush requires all 5 cards in your hand to be of the same suit. It does not matter whether they are Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs or Spades, as long as all 5 cards are of a matching suit. A straight is 5 cards that follow each other in a sequence, where 2 is the lowest ranking card and Ace is the highest. You cannot have a jump in a straight, such as 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Nor can you make a bridge between 2 and Ace, forming a hand like King, Ace, 2, 3 and 4.

What Beats a Straight Flush?

A royal flush is the strongest hand in the game, and it beats a straight flush. But a royal flush is essentially a straight flush, only it is made up of the highest cards in the game. Otherwise, the only way a player can beat your straight flush is with a better straight flush.

Straight flush hands are not determined by suits, as there is no ranking amongst the suits. Instead, the strength of a straight flush is determined by its highest card. For example, a 10-high straight flush will beat a 9-high straight flush.

Straight Flush Probability

There are only 9 straight flush combinations per suit, making for a total of 36 in the game. The possibility of forming such a hand is extremely small, with odds of 72,192 to 1. This converts into a percentage of just 0.00139%. Just consider that there are 36 ways of making a straight flush, out of a total of 2,598,960 different possible hands in poker.

How to Play a Straight Flush

When the possibility of a straight flush emerges, then there is a tiny chance that another player can also pick it out. It all depends on what cards they have in the hole. Here are some terms that you should know before continuing.

Draw to a Straight Flush

This basically means that there are multiple communal cards that could build up a straight flush. You do not have one yet, but you are only 1 or 2 cards away from reaching it.

Open Ended Draw

An open ended draw is when there are multiple communal cards and players can make a flush by adding their hole cards to either end. For example, there is a suited draw of 8,9 and 10 among the communal cards. It is open ended because it can extend to a straight flush with a suited Jack+Queen or with a suited 6+7.

Inside Draw

An inside draw is when there is a gap between the communal cards, thus you can only make a straight if you have the “inside” cards. For example, a suited 8, 9, Queen and King can only be completed if you have a suited 10+Jack.

Connectors (Hole Cards)

Connectors are hole cards that are in a 2-card sequence. For example, 10+Jack or Queen+King are connectors. For a straight flush, they must be of the same suit.

Gappers (Hole Cards)

When there is a gap between the hole cards, which disrupts the sequence, they are called gappers. 8 and 10 are one-gappers whilst 8 and Jack are two-gappers.

Poker Round Stages

Preflop

Usually, a poker pair is the best hand to have preflop, but suited connectors, especially when they are Jack-high or better, are invaluable for a straight flush. Having two of the 5 cards you need sets you up well for the flop, and it is not a bad strategy to start with sizable bets.

Flop

The flop is the make-or-break moment for a straight flush. The best scenario is when there are three suited communal cards that complete your hand. You already have a straight flush and there are still two cards to be drawn. The onus is on you to raise that pot as far as your opponents will go.

If you are only missing one card, then you either have an open ended or inside 4-card draw. The open ended draw is better, as there are two cards in the deck that you can use. For the inside draw, there is only 1 card in that deck that can finish your hand. There is no guarantee that it will appear, or that another player does not already have that card – in which case you cannot use it.

Turn

Should the turn complete your straight flush, then once again, it is your chance to shine. After the turn is dealt, you can increase the size of your raise. Do not worry about limpers leaving, as they will not bring you the big bucks. Instead, you are relying on the players who have something to play for. Whether they are onto a straight or a flush is irrelevant, as your straight flush beats both.

If you still only have a 4-card draw (open ended or inside), then all is not lost. Though the odds are racked against you, it is worth holding on to the river. In the precious chance that you do make the straight flush, it will bring ample rewards.

River and Showdown

A lot of players will take a straight or a flush to the death, so take advantage of your rare hand and take the pot as high as they will go. No one likes to fold after the river is drawn, but everyone has their own limits. But make sure that the pot is a good size before you give them a betting ultimatum.

Now, if you did not make the straight flush, it is not the end of the world. It is a big gamble, but there is still the possibility to bluff. After all, up until that point you bet with confidence. If you only missed out by one suit you still have a straight. Should one of the cards break the sequence, then you have a flush. These are not weak hands, but your opponent may have the same hand, or something stronger.

Best Case Scenario

The best hand is a Royal Flush, which is an Ace-high straight flush. Outside that, the best straight flush is King-high. If you have a suited King and Queen in the hole, then only a Royal Flush can beat this hand.

Worst Case Scenario

The weakest straight flush is a 5-high hand, which is called a Steel Wheel. The worst case scenario is for you to only have one hole card, a 2, in the hand. This is because another player only needs to have a suited 6 to complete a better straight flush.

Conclusion

It is worth taking the risk on a straight flush. You may have a 4 card draw at the flop or even the turn, and the odds are not in your favour. However, in the rare case that you get your desired fifth card and complete the straight flush, it is practically unbeatable. As this hand is so rare, it also brings a lot of bluffing to the table. No two players can have the same straight flush, unless that is, the straight flush is only made from communal cards.

The post What is a Straight Flush in Poker? (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

A full house in poker is considered the first full hand. There is a shroud of mystery around the name, as it is also called a full, a tight, a boat, and originally it was called a full hand. This is the fourth strongest hand you can make in poker, though it is formed rarely.

What is a Full House in Poker

A full house is a poker hand that constitutes a three of a kind and a pair. Between your 2 hole cards and the 5 communal cards, you need to pick out these cards. As poker is only played with a single deck, the three of a kind and pair cards cannot be suited. For example, you can have a Queen of Clubs, Spades and Hearts, and Jack of Spades and Diamonds.

What Beats a Full House?

There are only three poker hands that beat the full house.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind

Four of a kind is perhaps a bigger threat than the other two. This is because for a full house you need at least one pair in the communal cards, and this is also the minimum requirement for four of a kind. Say you have a pair of Queens and amongst the communal cards there is a Queen, a pair of 10s, a 9 and 8. The communal cards have brought you a pair and a third Queen for a full house. But say someone else has a pair of 10s in the hole – they beat you with four of a kind.

It is definitely more common than a poker round having both a full house and a straight flush. Though that is not impossible either. With the same hand, imagine the Queen, 10 and 8 are all Hearts, whilst the other 10 and 9 are unsuited. Should your opponent have a Jack and 9 of Hearts, they have a straight flush. And just like that, you can have a full house, four of a kind and straight flush in one round.

The most common hand that can beat your full house is another full house. Should two players both have a full house, the round is decided by who has the better set of three, and then who has the better set of two. Identical full houses end in draws.

This can happen if the communal cards bring three of a kind and both players have the same pair. Or, both players have the same hole cards that match up with a pair and a matching card on the table.

Full House Hand Probability

Before you start doubting the strength of a full house hand, consider these facts. There are 3,744 different ways to make a full house, and for the top three hands combined, there are only 663 combinations. If you were to bet on it, the odds of getting a full house would be 693.17/1. In terms of probability, there is a 0.144% chance of getting a full house – compare that with a combined 0.0255% chance of someone getting any of the three stronger hands.

How to Use a Full House Hand

So first, it is important to remember that the minimum requirements for a full house are that the communal cards should have at least one pair. When looking at how your opponents are playing, what you want to guess is whether they have a full house or four of a kind (or if they are bluffing).

Preflop

Whilst it is better to have a pocket pair in the hole, it is not essential to form a full house. Say you have a 9 and a Jack. If a pair of Jacks and a 9 are drawn in the communal cards, you can still form a full house. Therefore, pocket pairs, whilst advantageous, are not required. Instead, it is better to play depending on how high your cards are. A pair is always welcome, as it makes a great head start.

Flop

There is an outside chance that you form a full house hand when the flop is dealt. This is rare but not impossible. It will give you the opportunity to raise with confidence and force the limpers out of the game. The idea is not to settle for the checks though, so bait your opponents to keep them in the game.

It is far more likely that you will not make a full house after the flop though. If you are just one card short, then you can also raise the pot. However, you must analyse the cards.

If the communal cards bring a pair, then be wary that it is possible another player can form four of a kind. Unless of course, you have the third matching card in the hole. Should you have a pair of cards, then you are either hoping for the communal cards to bring a three of a kind, or a matching card to your pairs and another pair. It is very rare that the flop will draw three of a kind though, and it is even more dangerous as it opens the possibility for other players to form full houses too.

Turn

The most comfortable full house at this stage is when you have matching cards for a pair and a single high card in the communal cards. That way, there is no chance that another player has four of a kind. You can still lose if someone else has a full house with the same three of a kind but beats your pair. Therefore, be careful and watch how they react to any raises.

If you do not have a full house by the turn, then you are relying on the last card to draw in your favour. This is a highly risky game, especially if the pot has increased tremendously. Should there be multiple opponents raising at this stage of the round, there is most probably some bluffing going on. They may be trying to convince the others they have four of a kind, but for that, they need a pocket pair (or three of a kind on the table). Keep track of these raisers as most players who start with a pocket pair will raise the pot almost immediately.

River and Showdown

Once the river is dealt, you will know exactly what is possible and what is not. If you missed out on your full house, then you may have to cut your losses and fold. It may be painful to part with a big sum of money, but at this late stage, the raising usually increases exponentially. Should you have a full house and are confident of the win, then raise as far as you think your opponents may still call. You want to make the most of your hand after all. An outlandish bet may just scare them off and you will miss your opportunity.

Best Case Scenario

The best full house you can have is a set of three Aces and two Kings. To go further, it is best if you started with Ace-King and the communal cards brought 2 Aces and 1 King. The 2 other cards in the hand can be anything else, as long as they are not paired. This way, there is no way that any player can form four of a kind.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst full house you can have is a set of three 2s and two 3s. If anyone also makes a full house, they will certainly beat you – unless they have an identical hand. If the three 2s are all communal cards, then this is even more dangerous, as one other player may have a 2 and can then take home the pot with four of a kind.

Conclusion

A big part of using your full house to the maximum is not being caught out by a better full house or four of a kind. You should always keep an eye on who bets and when. Once you get to know your opponents better, you can work out whether they began with a pair, a couple of high cards, or a couple of low hands.

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Though it is a rare sight indeed, four of a kind is a poker hand that has all four suits of one card. It is the third strongest hand in poker, and when it is made, then it almost always wins. However, there is a big difference between winning a round and turning it into a massive payout.

What is Four of a Kind in Poker

As the name suggests, this is simply four cards of matching rank. You can have four Kings, four 10s, four 8s or any other set. They are all four of a kind.

What Beats Four of a Kind?

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush

There are only two hands that can beat four of a kind – royal flush and straight flush. As they are both straight flushes, there are only a few things you should keep an eye out for. Both those hands can only be formed if there are 3 suited communal cards that could form a sequence. For example, 6, 7 and 8 of Diamonds. The cards do not need to be in a sequence themselves, as they can have up to two gaps. An 8, Jack and Queen of Clubs can also present dangers, because a player could have the 9 and 10 of Clubs to complete the straight flush.

As long as there are not 3 or more cards of the same suit (that have a maximum gap of 2 in them), you are safe, right? Wrong, as it is possible for another player to form four of a kind too. As rare as it is that you can form four of a kind, it is immensely rarer that another player also forms four of a kind in the same round. But mathematically it is possible. If their four of a kind is of a higher ranking card then yours, they beat you. This is only possible if there are two pairs in the communal cards. And then, if the player does have four of a kind, you will know it must use the other pair on the table.

It is also worth mentioning that the four matching cards may all be in the communal card. If multiple players use the set, then the winner is determined by who has the highest fifth card.

Chances of Drawing Four of a Kind

There are actually 624 different ways to form four of a kind. It may sound like a lot, but the odds of drawing four of a kind are 4,165 to 1. If you convert that to a probability percentage, it comes out to 0.024%. And then you can only imagine how scarce it is that two players can form different four of a kind hands in one round.

Similar Hands to Four of a Kind (Backups)

Before going into a scenario, you have to know which hands are close to four of a kind. Should you play for four of a kind but narrowly miss out, you may still form one of these hands. Or, in a better scenario, your opponents have one of these hands and you can beat them easily. Remember this – for four of a kind you must have at least one pair on the table. For most of these hands, there are similar requirements.

Two Pair

This hand also needs at least one pair among the communal cards. It is far more common than a matching set of four, so most people will play their two pair with confidence. If you have two Kings and there is a pair of Kings on the table, you know your opponent cannot have four of a kind. Though they keep raising confidently, they may have a pair of Aces or Queens. They may take it to the dying betting cycles of the game, as the odds of you having the two remaining Kings is negligible.

Three of a Kind

Now if you are holding on to make four of a kind but the turn and river do not bring your desired card, you are stuck with three. This is not bad, but it means that your hand is weaker than a straight, flush, full house and, of course, four of a kind. Do not overplay a set of three on the flop. There is a very slim chance of you making four of a kind with the next two cards.

Full House

This hand ranks immediately below four of a kind, and it is extremely tricky. It requires a set of three with a pair. Just imagine the scenario where there is at least one pair among the communal cards. If you have the matching pair in the hole, you have four of a kind. Should your opponent have a pocket pair that matches with another communal card, they can use the first pair and their three of a kind to make a full house. It is a gamble, but there are ways to figure out whether a player can have a full house or four of a kind.

How to Use Four of a Kind

Timing is everything with a four of a kind hand. When you get four of a kind – when you start raising big – how slowly you reel in your winnings in the final betting cycle are all key factors. Knowing how to deal with a set of four can greatly increase your winnings.

Preflop

Though it is not the only way, your best bet is if you are drawn a pocket pair in the preflop round. This gives you a massive head start, and you will only require a matching pair to form your set of four. However, you can still settle for a full house, three of a kind or two pair should the communal cards draw unfavourably.

With two different cards, your chances of reaching four of a kind are significantly reduced. This means you need the dealer to draw a three of a kind in the communal cards, and it should match one of the cards you have in the hole.

Flop

The best chance you have of getting four of a kind is after the flop. If you make it with a pocket pair and a matching pair in the communal cards, your chances of winning are near 100%. You have to observe whether there is a remote possibility of a player still pulling off a straight flush. However, your biggest job is to convince the others you have a two pair or three of a kind.

Turn

By the time the fourth card is dealt, the limpers have either already folded or will fold soon. If you have just made four of a kind now, then you can start raising big. Again, do not scare off the other players with outlandish sums of money. They will most likely believe you have a good two pair or maybe even a three of a kind. A set of four high ranking cards works better here in many aspects. It is more believable that you would make big raises and play aggressively with a high ranking two pair or full house. Someone who is betting big with a two pair where the bottom pair are 2s or 3s may attract suspicion.

River and Showdown

With the river, you will see exactly whether there is or is not a chance for someone to beat you with a straight flush. Now, your job is to raise that pot to as high as your opponents will go. Raise incrementally so that if your opponent does not call the last bet, at least you have made substantial winnings.

Best Case Scenario

The best four of a kind is naturally four Aces, where you have a pocket pair. The only possibility of someone beating your hand is if there are three suited cards on the table and they have the complementary cards to form a straight flush. The odds are stacked against it though.

Worst Case Scenario

Four of a kind only makes a difference when it is yours alone. If the four of a kind are all on the table, then the round is determined by who has the highest card. Therefore, the rank of the four of a kind is arbitrary.

Conclusion

Whether you get a four of a kind or not is pure luck. You can only play to its strengths and make the most profit out of the round as possible. It is rather strange, but here you will want to reverse bluff to make the players think your hand is weaker than it is. This way, you can reel them along to get the biggest possible win.

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A royal flush is the best hand you can form in poker, and it is a true rarity in the game. Just to put it into perspective, a royal flush occurs once every 40,000 hands or so at casinos. This can easily shoot up to once every 200,000 hands, as the criteria are so specific.

What is a Royal Flush in Poker

A royal flush is the best straight flush you can form. It requires a 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit. Because of the requirements, it is impossible for a round to produce two royal flushes. The only way you can draw is if the entire royal flush is in the communal cards. Then, the players in the round who have continued to the showdown collect the pot. However, it is a near-impossible scenario.

Royal Hand Probability

The theoretical odds of forming a royal flush are 649,739 to 1. There are only 4 combinations for this hand, and the probability is 0.000154%.

How to Maximise a Royal Flush Hand

A royal flush is not only useful because it is the strongest hand, but also because of its rarity. It is such a long shot that your opponents will virtually always assume that you are bluffing, or have a weaker card. This works tremendously in your favour if you have a royal flush. You can milk the betting rounds as far as possible, and it can be a potential game-ender.

Before carrying on, here are some useful terms to know in connection with the hand.

Draw to a Royal Flush

A draw is basically a build up, or a line of cards that do not form a royal flush, but are 1 or 2 cards away. A 3 card draw to a royal flush means you need 2 more cards to complete your hand. Likewise, a 4 card draw to a royal flush means you are 1 card away from the hand.

Open Ended Draw

An open ended draw means that you have a draw and only need the one (or two) cards on the top or bottom to finish the hand. For example, if you have a suited 10, Jack, Queen and King, then you have a 4 card open ended draw to a royal flush.

Inside Draw

This is when you have a draw that has a gap in it. For example, a suited 10, Queen, King and Ace requires the “inside” suited Jack to complete the royal flush.

Similar Hands (Royal Flush Backups)

Your main goal is a royal flush, but you need some backup plan in case the communal cards are not drawn in your favour. A straight and a flush have similar requirements.

Straight

Say you miss out because one of the cards in the royal flush is of another suit. That means you have a straight. A straight beats one pair, two pair and three of a kind. Though it is nowhere near a royal flush, you may still be able to pull off a win with this hand.

Flush

Should your hand contain cards of the same suit, but one or more of them break the sequence, then you are stuck with a flush. It beats both a straight and everything the straight ranks higher than. However, it ranks lower than four of a kind or a full house.

Straight Flush

In a bizarre circumstance, you may fall short of the royal flush simply because of the card rank. Say you have a 4 card draw with a suited 10-King and your last card is a suited 9. You do not have a royal flush, instead you have a straight flush. Fear not though, as this hand is the second most powerful hand in the game. The only way you can lose is if that suited 10-King were communal cards and another player has the Ace, making a royal flush.

Royal Flush Strategy

Every stage in the round is crucial when you are on a draw to a royal flush. Getting the hand early on will essentially seal the round for you. On a draw, there is a lot of nailbiting to get through.

Preflop

A two card draw in the hole is a helping start towards a royal flush. The best cards to start with are a suited Ace-King, King-Queen or Ace-Queen. If you do not make the royal flush, which the odds would suggest, these cards are high ranking enough to make an impact.

Flop

After the flop is dealt, you only stand a realistic chance of making a royal flush if you can form a 4 card draw. It is possible to also get a royal flush after having a 3 card draw at this stage, but then the turn and the river must bring the required 2 more cards. It is quite a massive gamble, but anything can happen.

Actually, you can also form a royal flush this early in the round, if the flop brought the exact 3 cards you needed. If that is the case, then you have basically won the round. But the work does not stop there. You have to concentrate your efforts to increase the pot as much as you can. Having a royal flush is such as rarity in itself that most players will give you the benefit of the doubt. After all, the chances of someone having a royal flush is small enough as it is, let alone getting one after the flop. Push your opponents as far as they are willing to go, but without giving too much away.

Turn

If you made the royal flush on the flop, then this is just a bonus round in which you can extend the funds in the pot. However, if you had a 4 card draw and the turn card completed your hand, then you can continue wreaking havoc and raising the pot. Should you still have a 4 card draw and have not formed a royal flush yet, then there is only one more opportunity.

River and Showdown

It cannot be stressed enough how rare a royal flush is, but for argument’s sake let’s say by the river you have formed your hand. This presumes that there are at least 3 suited cards and 3 cards with which players can form a straight. There are some players who may form those hands, and that is good news for you. As straights and flushes are still considered strong hands, your opponents will most probably raise the pot themselves. They are not counting on the long odds that you may have a royal flush, as most of the time you should not. Therefore, you can call their raises and raise even more. In the end, you should win a substantial amount.

But what if you do not have a royal flush but are stuck with either a straight or flush? You gambled on getting the best hand in the game but missed out narrowly and now are stuck with either the fifth or sixth strongest hand in the game. It is important to keep an eye on what your opponents are doing, as this can give an indication as to what cards they have. Luckily, there are clues. There needs to be at least one pair on the table for your opponent to have a hand such as four of a kind or a full house. Those will beat your hand. Or, they may simply have a higher ranking straight or flush than you.

Best Case Scenario

The best case scenario is if the royal flush is formed by your 2 hole cards and 3 communal cards. It is perfect because from an opponent’s view, the odds are too highly stacked against you. Should the communal cards provide 4 of the 5 cards required, it is far more possible to believe someone at the table has the fifth card.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst case scenario is when all 5 communal cards form a royal flush. It is so obscure that it will not feel real. And the outcome will be that the remaining players after the river will share the pot, regardless of what cards they have in the hole. It is basically a waste of a royal flush.

Conclusion

You do not necessarily need to have a royal flush to play like you might have one. It is virtually impossible to do the maths at the table. This makes it very difficult for someone to believe you may have one, but also it can throw players off their game too. One thing is for certain though. If you can form a royal flush, then your skills will be determined by how much money you can make off it.

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Flush is a poker hand that relates to suits. Card rank is not important here, nor do they need to be sequential. It is one of the most intriguing hands as all it requires are for 5 cards to have the same suit.

What is a Flush in Poker?

There are four suits in a deck: Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds. A flush is when you have 5 cards of the same suit in a hand. As it requires at least 3 communal cards to have the same suit, it is quite a rare hand in the game. What is more, if there are 3 communal cards of the suit you need, then there is a chance you are not the only one with a flush. It is tricky to play, but it is a strong hand.

What Beats a Flush?

Flushes rank higher than high card, one pair, two pair and straight poker hands. However, it is not a surefire winner. Here are the poker hands that can beat a flush.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House

As there is only one of each of the cards 2 through Ace in each suit, you cannot form a flush and a pair. If there are more than 5 suited cards to pick from, then you pick the higher numbers. This is because if two players both form a flush, the round will be determined by which player has the highest card. If the players both have the same high card, then the second card, will be the tiebreaker. Should there still be a tie, the third, fourth and then fifth cards are checked. The only way a flush can end in a tie is if the two flushes only use the communal cards.

Flush Probabilities

As card rank does not matter in a flush, the mathematics behind this hand is very different. Just think about it this way, if you only need to form a pair or straight, you will need 1 specific card from the 13 possible. With a flush, you only need to match the suit, of which there are only 4. Of course, it is not that simple as you need to factor in the cards on the table and in the hole, and then there are your opponents’ hidden cards.

There are 5,108 different ways to make a flush, and the odds of getting a flush is 508.8 to 1. At the beginning of each round, there is a 0.1965% possibility of getting a flush. This all changes after the flop is dealt.

What to do With Your Flush

There is a lot of money to be made with a flush, but it all depends on when you have one. If you can form one early and feel confident no one can beat it, then you can steadily increase the pot to a good size. Holding on till the last draw for a flush is far more dangerous.

Preflop

Getting two suited cards in the preflop is a great step towards forming a flush, but you never know what the next 5 cards will bring. You need 3 of those 5 cards to match your suit. It is quite a long shot. At this point, it is best to play for the high card, and if you have a low ranking set of cards, then you can also fold.

Flop

The best case scenario is you make a flush after the flop is dealt. You have 5 cards of the same suit, but remember three of those cards are communal. With 9 cards of the same suit left, there is a chance, albeit a slim one, of someone else holding 2 cards of that suit too.

If you do not make a flush after the flop, then you have to consider how close you are to one. With 4 cards of the same suit, it may be worth taking on the gamble to see what the turn will bring. If your hand has only 3 cards of the same suit, then you might as well pursue another hand. It is not impossible for the turn and river to both bring cards of your desired suit, but the odds are stacked against you.

Turn

It is essential to keep track of what the other players do in the betting cycle. Let’s say the flop brought two or three cards of matching suit, this is the best run up for a flush. If the turn did not extend that run, then you should observe how the other players bet. Should your opponents slow down with their bets, then it may mean that the draw did not help them out.

If you are one card short, then you have to be cautious as well. The odds on this last card bringing the suit you need is less than 4 to 1 as you presumably already have 4 cards lined up.

River and Showdown

At the river, all is revealed and you will know whether you have the flush or not. If you already had it, then this card and the turn are hugely important too. Should you have 2 suited cards and the communal cards extends this to 6, it is not a big problem. It means that you can leave out the weakest card of the bunch. Should another player also form a flush, you have a better chance of beating them.

Best Case Scenario

The top flush formations have high ranking cards. The best flush is suited Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 9, where the Ace and King are your hole cards. If the hand forms a sequence, then this is a flush straight. In the example, if the 9 is replaced with a 10, then this is the Royal Flush, and the strongest hand in the game.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst flush you can form is full of low cards. Suited 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 where the 2 and 3 are your hole cards is the worst flush.

Conclusion

The flop and the turn are very much the critical stages if you are playing for a flush. It is the same whether you can get one or you bluff your hand. The flop needs to bring 2 suited cards for your raising to have any bite to it. If the turn can extend this further, then you can scare a lot of players off with your raising. Always remember that even though you only need the card to be 1 of 4 possible suits, the odds are always longer. Because of the other suited cards on the table, it is never just a 1 in 4 chance.

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Forming a straight in poker is always an exciting moment, as it has a very good chance of taking home the pot. There are different types of straights that you can form, depending on the communal cards and your hole cards. Here, we will analyse them and see how you can play them to their strengths.

What is a Straight in Poker?

A straight is a poker hand which requires 5 unsuited cards to form a sequence. Starting from 2 and finishing with Ace, the straight must come from your 2 hole cards and the 5 communal cards. There is no rule about having to use 1 hole card, 2 but there is a stronger chance that no one else can match your straight if it requires 2 hole cards.

The highest straight is called a Broadway which is when you have an unsuited 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace. The lowest ranking straight is called a Wheel, which has a 5 as the high card. It is formed from an unsuited 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What Beats a Straight?

Straight hands require 5 cards, and so they can beat all the hands that have fewer card requirements, except for Four of a kind. It beats high card, one pair, two pair and three of a kind poker hands.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House
5. Flush

If two players should form a straight, then the player with the higher ranking straight wins. Should the two players have the same straight, then the round is tied and the pot is split. If you can form a suited straight, then this is called a Straight Flush, which will beat a straight, flush, full house and four of a kind.

Possibilities to Form a Straight

There are 10,200 different combinations of straights that you can form, excluding straight flushes. It is a rare hand to form, and the odds of landing one is 253,8 to 1, which converts to a probability of 0.39%.

How to Play a Straight

Before carrying on into the how and when you can form a straight, there are several of terms you should know.

Connectors

This is when your hole cards are sequential. For example, you have a Queen and a King.

Gappers

When there is a jump between your hole cards, they are called gappers. For example, a 10 and Queen are one-gappers whilst 10 and King are two-gappers.

Flopping a Straight

This is when you can form a straight directly after the flop has been drawn.

Drawing to a Straight

When the flop does not bring you the straight, but instead draws cards that build up to a straight, this is called a straight draw. It is far more common than flopping a straight.

Open Ended or Inside Straight Draw

An open ended draw is when your hole cards sit on either side of the straight draw in the communal cards. For example, the communal cards have 8-Jack and you either have a 7 or a Queen. An inside draw is when your hole cards sits in the middle of a straight. There may be 9-Jack and King on the table, and you have a Queen in your hole cards.

Generally, open ended straight draws are better as the possibility of drawing the fifth card is twice that of an inside straight draw. Remember that the gap does not need to only be one, and you may use both hole cards. For example, you may have a Jack and Queen in the hole, and form an inside straight with 9, 10, King on the table. Or you have a 10 and King in the hole, and form a straight with the communal 9, Jack and Queen, which is both an inside and open ended draw, using a two-gapper.

Poker Round Stages

Preflop

One-gappers are the best cards to receive in the hole to form a straight. It is an open ended straight draw, as you need the communal cards to draw 3 sequential cards either side of your one-gapper. An 8-high hand (7-8) is the minimum you should start raising with, anything below that is considered too weak. With two gappers, if you have anything below an 8-high hand (6-8) then you are better off folding. It is far more 

Flop

If you have flopped the straight, then you are in a key position to win the pot. Whilst you may want to keep raising and milking your bets, you should consider the following. You have made your poker hand, and from now on the odds are against you. It is more likely that the next two cards will let another player form an even stronger hand than for it to improve your straight. You can then either kill off the round in this stage, or raise the pot considerably and hope that the next cards will not compromise your position.

If you have a straight draw of 4 cards and the straight is not too low, then you can consider raising too. Do not raise though, if you have a straight draw for an 8-high straight, or if you have a 3-card straight draw.

Turn

The turn is quite a pivotal point for players who are drawing to a straight. When the turn does not bring the card needed to form that straight, suddenly your whole hand depends on the last card.

However, when the turn does bring your straight, then you are in a position to bet high. Your opposition will quickly see whether the card will play in your favour, and may guess what you have in the hole. The difficult part here is to make the most money out of the situation, and not have all the players simply fold and you win the checks.

River and Showdown

A big danger about straights is that there is still a possibility of losing. Unsuited cards are good, and its better if there are no pairs in the communal cards. Though it is a long shot, a player may form four of a kind or a full house, and this can instantly beat your straight.

These are rarely formed, so perhaps the more imminent, and predictable, danger to your straight is a flush, straight flush, or simply a better straight. Forming a straight end where your hole cards are at the bottom of the straight is extremely risky. The same goes for forming an inside straight, where you can see that there is a possibility someone else may form an ended straight at the high end of the draw.

Best Case Scenario

The best case scenario is an unsuited Broadway straight in which you have the top two cards: Ace and King. There is a remote chance that someone can tie with you, but certainly not better your hand with a straight.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst straight you can have is a Wheel, in which you have 2 and 3 in the hole. Though it can beat a high card, one pair and even a two pair hand, it is running a great risk. If another player can close the straight with at least one card on the higher end, it beats your hand.

Conclusion

You need to concentrate on a lot of things with a straight. Not only are you calculating your chances of forming a straight and of the draw bring you an even higher straight, but you need to keep a close eye on your opponents. Their actions, and yours, in the betting cycle can give away a lot about their hole cards. So therefore use your straight with caution, and be wary of 8-high hands or lower.

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Three of a kind is a rare poker hand that defeats lots of other hands. It is one of the stronger hands you can have in poker, so you can play confidently. However, keep an eye on what is happening on the table, as it is outdone by a straight or flush.

What is a Three of a Kind Poker Hand

Three of a kind is a 5-card hand in which you have three nonsuited cards of matching rank, alongside two other cards. There are three different types of this hand. You can have a pair in your hole cards, and the third card is amongst the communal cards. This is the strongest three of a kind and it is called a Set. Another type is when there is a pair amongst the communal cards, and you have the third card. This is called Trips. The last type is when all three matching cards are amongst the communal cards. This last one is the worst, as any of the players can use the hand.

Here are some examples of three of a kind hands.

• 7 of Diamond, 7 of Hearts, 7 of Clubs, 8 of Clubs, Jack of Spades

There are three 7s in this hand, and the highest ranking card is a Jack

• 4 of Spades, 4 of Clubs, 4 of Hearts, 5 of Diamonds, 9 of Spades

The hand comprises three 4s and has a 9 high card

• 9 of Spades, 9 of Clubs, 9 of Diamonds, 10 of Hearts, Queen of Hearts 

There are three 9s and the high card is a Queen

• King of Spades, King of Diamonds, King of Clubs, Jack of Diamonds, 10 of Spades

There is a three of a kind in Kings, and the King is also the high card

• Jack of Hearts, Jack of Spades, Jack of Clubs, King of Diamonds, Ace of Hearts

The hand has three Jacks and the high card is an Ace

What Beats Three of a Kind?

The following hands can beat three of a kind.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House
5. Flush
6. Straight

Should two players both make three of a kind, then the winner is the player with the higher three of a kind. It is possible that both players have the same three matching cards. This can only happen if there are two of the three matching cards in the communal cards. Then, the players each have a matching card in their hole cards. If this is the case, then the player with the highest ranking card in their hand wins.

Otherwise, if one player has a pair and the third card is in the communal cards, then no other player can make the same three of a kind. Imagine you have 2 Kings and the third is in the communal cards. It is possible that another player also has a King, but there are only 4 in a deck, so they cannot have two. Therefore, they can only make a pair of Kings, whilst you have three of a kind.

Possibility of Forming Three of a Kind

There are 54,912 different three of a kind hands, and the odds of getting one are 46.33 to 1. In terms of probability, this is 2.11% which is extremely low. You are most likely to get a three of a kind hand after the flop is dealt. However, there is also an outsiders chance to make this hand on the turn or the river.

How to Optimise Your Three of a Kind Hand

It all depends on when you can form that three of a kind. If you get it nice and early, then you can start raising the pot confidently. The only thing is you will need to be wary of any potential straight or flush that may beat your hand.

Preflop

If you are dealt a pocket pair in the preflop, then your chances of making three of a kind are increased exponentially. A pocket pair is a good hand in itself, especially if it is a high ranking one. Anything from a pair of Jacks upwards is good to start your betting on the front foot. A pair of 7s through to 10s are considered medium-strength pairs. A pair of 2s-7s are not considered strong pairs, but if you can make three of a kind then this does not really matter, as you beat all one pair and two pair hands.

If you do not get a pocket pair in the preflop, then go only as far with your bets as you value your high cards.

Flop

Landing a three of a kind here is good, but with conditions. The most tricky is if you have a pocket pair that matches up with a communal card. If the other 2 communal cards give the possibility for a straight or a flush, then you need to observe your opponents carefully. They may start playing aggressively even if they do not have a flush or straight, but are a card short.

If the three of a kind is formed using 2 communal cards, you are better off. This is because there are at least 2 cards that are unsuited and not in a sequence. Therefore, players cannot have the straight or flush yet, and they will bank heavily on what is drawn next.

Turn

Carrying on from the last scenario, if you see that the next card can fit into a straight or flush, then be cautious. An opponent may make a sudden raise to throw you off.

If you did not have a three of a kind in the flop but only after the turn, it can work in your favour. Analyse what is on the table, and with your new three of a kind, you can start to raise the betting.

River and Showdown

After the last card is dealt, you will have the chance to get the best value for your three of a kind. Should you see no possible opposition, you can raise the bets in increments, forcing your opponents to increase the pot size. As mentioned before, if you have a Set, you are far better off than if you have Trips.

Best Case Scenario

The best Set you can land is a pocket pair of Aces, and then for another Ace to be drawn among the communal cards. The best Trips is if you have an Ace in the hole, and a pair of Aces are drawn in the communal cards. This opens the possibility of a draw – so the best second card to have in the hole is a King.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst three of a kind is when you have a Trips of 2s. It will beat a pair of Aces or even a two pair hand of Aces and Kings. Though it is the worst three of a kind hand, you can still do plenty of damage with a Trips of 2s.

Conclusion

This hand is probably one of the most tricky to play with. Just as much as it plays to your advantage, someone can still beat you. You are most likely to get outplayed by a straight or flush. Though it is mentioned a lot, these are the biggest dangers. Someone can beat you with a full house (three of a kind + one pair), and even with a four of a kind. But there is a small chance of a round bringing both a three of a kind and four of a kind. Therefore, play carefully and when you feel that your hand is unbeatable, raise big.

The post What is Three of a Kind in Poker? (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

With a two pair poker hand, you have a comfortable chance of winning. This is not to say that two pair is the best hand, far from it, as it ranks at 8th of the 10 different poker hands you can land. However, there are many different combinations for two pair hands, and it can occur quite frequently, which makes this one of the best-winning poker hands in Texas Hold'em. Having two pair is not enough though. You should know how to spot potential danger signs, of another player beating you to the pot. If the communal cards do not open the possibility for another player to beat your hand, and you are confident of a win, then you must know how to reel in a bigger profit. This way, you will not only win with two pair hands, but you can also turn them into good moneymakers.

What is a Two Pair Poker Hand

In 5-card poker such as Texas Hold’em, you form 5 card hands, which can use up to 5 communal cards and 2 of your hole cards. The communal cards can be used by anyone, but your hole cards are yours alone. A two pair hand consists of 2 sets of pairs. A pair is two cards of the same rank. As most poker is played with a single deck, your possibilities are limited to two matching cards of different suits. Here are some examples for further clarification:

• 3 of Hearts, 3 of Diamonds, 8 of Clubs, 8 of Spades, Ace of Diamonds

There is a 3 pair and 8 pair, and the high card is an Ace

• 5 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs, Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Clubs

A pair of 5s and a pair of Jacks make the two pair, and the high card is a Queen

• 10 of Spades, 10 of Hearts, King of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Ace of Hearts

There is a pair of 10s and Kings, and the high card is an Ace

• 5 of Spades, 10 of Diamonds, 10 of Clubs, Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Spades

The two pairs are 10s and Aces, and Ace is the highest card

• 5 of Hearts, 10 of Diamonds, 10 of Hearts, Jack of Spades, Jack of Clubs

There is a pair of 10s and Jacks, and Jack is the high card

What Beats Two Pair?

Any of the following beat a two pair poker hand.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House
5. Flush
6. Straight
7. Three of a Kind

Two pair beats one pair and a high card poker hand. These are the two most common poker hands, so the chance of winning with a two pair is high. If another player also has two pair, then the player with the highest ranking pair wins. Should both have the same highest ranking pair, then the round is determined by who has the highest second pair. If the contest is still tied, then the round is determined by who has the highest card. There is still a possibility of a draw with a two pair hand, but it is very rare.

Two Pair Hand Possibilities

There are 123,552 different two pair hands you can form. The odds of landing one of these hands is 20 to 1 and the probability is 4.75%. These odds are not as slim as you may think, but be careful, as a lot depends on the cards you have in the hole. If there is a one pair on the table in the communal cards, there is a better chance of forming a two pair hand. This not only applies to you but to other players seated around the table.

What to Do with Two Pair?

Four cards are required to make a two pair hand, and there are several different ways this hand can be formed. For example, you may have a pocket pair already, and then form an extra pair from the communal cards. On the other hand, you may have two cards of different rank in the hole, and then you match them up to their pairs among the communal cards. The third alternative is that the two pairs are made within the communal cards. The latter is the worst scenario, as it means that all players can claim a two pair hand – or better. If a player can form a stronger hand, then there is nothing you can do about it. Your best bet is if the hand uses both your hole cards.

Preflop

So we know that a pocket pair is a good sign, but if you do not have one then what can you do? Your cards can be evaluated by their rank. High ranking cards are welcome, as if you cannot make two pair or even one, then you should have a solid high card. As a lot depends on the flop, you have to be patient. If you have a pocket pair, then you can open the betting cycle on the front foot.

Flop

Ideally, after the flop cards are drawn, you will want to secure at least one pair, if not two. If you do not even have one pair, this greatly hurts your chances of making a two pair hand. It is still possible, but you need both the turn and river to draw favourable cards. If you have one pair at this point, then you should evaluate their strength. A premium pair is a pair of Queens or higher. With these, you can confidently raise the pot. If your pair is anything from a pair of 7s to Jacks, then bet cautiously, as you may be caught out. 2s through 6s are considered low pairs.

Turn

After the turn, if you have two pair, then you are in good hands. The best situation is that it uses both of your hole cards, and this reduces the chance of another player matching your hand. Should there already be a pair on the table and you only use one of your hole cards to form the second pair, you must be cautious. 

River and Showdown

By the river, you should have your two pair hand, and it is easier to analyse whether a player can beat your hand. Look for runups to straights or flushes, as these can hurt your chances. If one of the pairs is already on the table, then this can also be a danger sign. Should one of the other players have a matching card, this makes three of a kind.

Best Two Pair Scenario

The best case scenario is that you have an Ace and King in the hole, and then the communal cards brings their pairs. These are the highest ranking cards, and there is a much slimmer chance of another player making both pairs. Another good scenario is if you have a pocket pair of either Ace or King, which means you can confidently start the betting cycle.

Worst Two Pair Scenario

The worst case scenario is if the two pairs are low ranking, such as a pair of 2s and 3s, and they are in the communal cards. All the other players can use the same hand. Both pairs are the lowest, so if another player can make just one other (higher ranking) pair, they beat you.

Conclusion

A two pair hand is strongest when you have formed the hand after the flop. If it looks unlikely that another player can form a higher ranking hand, then it is a good time to strike. By playing your two pair hands well, you can win quite often.

The post What is Two Pair in Poker? (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

The most common poker hand is one pair. However, it is not a desirable hand as it ranks second. That is not to say it is impossible to win with a hand of one pair, but it is all down to how you will use your cards. Not all one pair hands are the same, and it makes a massive difference whether that pair is among the communal cards or in the hole.

What is a One Pair Poker Hand?

The 5-card hand that you can form has one set of pairs. This is two cards of the same rank. If two players should have one pair each, then the highest pair wins. Should the players have pairs of matching rank, then the next highest card determines which player wins. If there is still no winner, then the round is pushed. Here are a few examples of one pair hands:

• 3 of Hearts, 3 of Diamonds, 8 of Clubs, 10 of Clubs, Ace of Hearts

You have a pair of 3s and your high card is an Ace

• 8 of Hearts, 9 of Clubs, 9 of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Clubs

There is a pair of 9s and the high card is a Queen

• 10 of Spades, Jack of Hearts, King of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Ace of Hearts

There is a pair of Kings and the high card is an Ace

• 5 of Spades, 10 of Diamonds, King of Clubs, Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Spades

The pair of Aces are also the highest ranking cards in the hand

• 5 of Hearts, 6 of Diamonds, 10 of Hearts, Jack of Spades, Jack of Clubs

The pair of Jacks are also the highest ranking cards in the hand

What Beats a One Pair Hand?

One pair can only beat a high card hand. The following rank higher than a one pair hand.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Full House
5. Flush
6. Straight
7. Three of a Kind
8. Two Pair

One Pair Probability

There are 1,098,240 different possible ways to form one pair hands. The odds of getting a one pair hand are 1 to 1.36, and the probability of landing one is 42.25%. It is extremely common to land one pair hands, but the rank of your one pair and whether it comprises one or both of your hole cards makes a massive difference.

What To Do With Your Own Pair Hand

It is more than possible to take a one pair hand to the showdown and win a round, but it all depends on where the one pair is located. The ideal situation is that you have a pocket pair, that is, the one pair is in your hole cards. That is your one pair, and no other players can use those cards to form their hand. Other players may still have a pocket pair, or use one of the communal cards to form one pair, and so you need to be careful. The worst case scenario is if the one pair is formed using only communal cards. Therefore, everyone else also has one pair, and you do not have the upper hand.

Preflop

A pocket pair, whilst a great initial boost, should be considered carefully. A pocket pair ranking from 2-6 is considered a low pair, and can cause you problems. You are better off with a pair of 7-Jacks, but still, these are considered medium pairs. A pair of Aces, Kings, or Queens are premium pocket pairs, and you can start raising straight away if you have them.

If you do not have any pairs, then the strength of your starting hand is determined by your highest card and whether you have any connectors/suited cards.

The Flop

Once the flop is dealt you have to go with a strategy and stick to it. A one pair hand of Queens or higher will give you an advantage, but if there are connectors or 2 or more cards of one suit, there is a danger that someone can make a straight or flush. Those instantly defeat your one pair. Another good thing about a pair though, is that at this stage there is also a slim chance of forming two pair, three of a kind, four of a kind, or even a full house.

The Turn

After the turn, the game usually takes a more serious turn. Should you have one pair of anything up to Jacks at this point, then you have to play carefully. Once again, analyse the cards and try to determine whether another player can defeat your pair. If there are opportunities, then you may have to consider folding. If the possibility of running a straight or flush seems far-fetched or is only possible with a favourable river card, then your chances are quite strong.

River and Showdown

Once the river card is dealt, the final betting cycle begins. Though the turn can also see a large increase in the pot size, players generally do not want to fold at the river. If an opponent starts raising aggressively though, you may have to consider it. Players who limped in the first betting cycles but are now throwing in money can present a big danger. Either they bluffed their way to the final round and out of desperation want to take home the pot. Or, they may have really good cards and have let the other players do the raising. Now, that they have built confidence and are ready to strike, they want to increase the damage. The latter may raise the pot to the line where you may still consider it. Bluffers will usually take the bet up to a level where they want to frighten you off.

Best Case Scenario

The best one pair you can have is a pair of pocket Aces. Pocket Kings and Queens are also great hands. With these, you can start betting confidently.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst case scenario is that you have no matching cards in your hole hands, and the one pair is in the communal cards. A low ranking pair, from 2-6s are extremely poor, and if you have no high card to win a kicker, then you are in trouble.

Conclusion

One pair is only really effective when you have a premium pocket pair. You can still win rounds with a mid-range one pair or even a pair of low ranking cards, but that is more about how you play and less about the strength of the hand. Sometimes, it is better to discard a hand of one pair, as the money you save on that round can be used on the next.

The post What is a One Pair Hand in Poker? (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.