Top 13 Online Poker Platforms in Malaysia – 2023 Updated
Online poker in Malaysia is extremely popular to the point where it is the most popular playing card game in the country. If you are looking for the best online casinos for poker, this article lists the top online poker websites for Malaysian players, the different poker variations, rules, tips, and strategies.
Best Online Poker Platforms
How To Choose The Best Online Poker Casinos
Choosing the best online poker casinos in Malaysia can be difficult due to the overwhelming number of choices available on the market. Above all, our recommended list of operators above are those that provide a safe and secure gaming environment. When selecting the best online casino for poker, take into consideration the:
Poker Tournaments & Events
Poker is a game that often has many exciting events. Look for an online operator that hosts various tournaments as this improves your gaming experience and makes it more exciting.
Bonuses & Promotions
You can also consider poker bonuses and promos that can be applied to your poker games. Some of the top ones to look for include welcome bonuses, first deposit bonus, and more.
Poker Variations
Poker is a game with many variations such as seven stud poker, Texas hold’em, Omaha hi, and more. If you are an avid mobile poker fan, selecting a casino with multiple variants is a no brainer. Live casinos also often offer live poker games.
Betting Requirements
There are many high rollers in poker games. Be sure to select an online casino that offers online poker rooms or poker tables with different betting requirements to fit your budget.
Free Vs Real Money Online Poker
Although free poker and real money poker are very similar, there are pros and cons to each. By understanding them, players can take advantage of both these modes and make the most out of it.
Free Online Poker
Playing free online poker games means that you can enjoy a risk-free environment that allows you to practice your skills, understand the rules, and test out strategies. It also means that you have the opportunity to try out different poker variations and have a relaxing gaming experience while making some friends along the way. However, this also means it is impossible to win any real money and potentially gives you less thrill as there is no real stake.
Real Money Poker
Real money poker’s biggest advantage is the possibility of winning real money if you win. It also gives you the ability to make use of the online casino’s bonuses while earning loyalty points. Due to having a real stake, the game automatically becomes exciting.
Popular Online Poker Variations
Being one of the most popular casino game, online poker has many variations such as:
Texas Hold’em
The most popular poker variant, Texas hold’em is often featured and can be found almost anywhere. Its fame also means that there are many pro players you have to compete with.
Omaha Hi
Ranking second in popularity, Omaha Hi is played as a pot-limit game with 4 hole cards dealt to each player to make the best 5-card hand.
Omaha Hi Lo
Similar to Omaha Hi, this variant involves the division of the pot for the highest and lowest hands, making it much easier to win.
7-Card Stud
Each player in this game receives their own hands where some cards are faced up while others face down to make the best 5-card hand with the 7 cards they are dealt.
2-7 Triple Draw
This exciting variant includes players being dealt their individual 5-card hand and have three draw attempts to try to make the best low hand.
Online Poker Rules
Poker is a simple game to learn and understand, but it can become challenging for beginners. There are many poker variants but since Texas Hold’em is the most popular, we will look at the basic rules of it. Other variants will have similar rules with additions and twists.
Texas Hold’em Poker Rules & How To Play
The goal of the game is to use the combination of cards to make the best possible five-card poker hand. The turns move clockwise around the table with action starting at the left of the dealer.
Each player is dealt two cards face down and five more cards (community cards) are gradually dealt out in the middle of the table face up. From these cards, players build the best hand. Betting is done in three stages when the five community cards are being dealt:
- The Flop – First three community cards dealt
- The Turn – Fourth community card dealt
- The River – Fifth community card dealt
Basic Poker Terms
If you are interested in learning how to play poker, here are some basic terms you should know:
- Action – it’s the player’s turn to act during the current hand be it betting or raising.
- Ante – the small bet required from all players before the round begins.
- Blind – Similar to an ante, a blind adds value to the pot before play begins.
- Buy-In – Cost required to be seated at the table, usually 20 times the big blind.
- Check – To pass on betting and no current action taken.
- Fold – To give up and opt out, losing any bets already in the pot.
- Raise – To wager more than the minimum required.
Online Poker Betting Tips
Poker tips can be helpful to increase your odds of winning. While these tips do not guarantee you a win, it may help you be able to profit from your favorite game:
Learn The Rules, Positions, and Poker Hand Ranking
All poker players when starting out should learn the rules, positions, and hand rankings. Although basic poker rules are easy to understand, players can benefit tremendously from understanding the poker hand rankings.
Start With Low Stakes
Beginners who are just starting out with poker should begin with low stakes to better understand the rules and strategy. Free play poker can be useful as well in the early phases before moving on to low stake games.
Only Play When You Feel Good
Negative emotions are a player’s enemy in most cases especially when feeling angry or sad. Avoid starting games when you feel bad and be prepared before each game to become a better poker player.
Conclusion
Online poker in Malaysia is one of the most exciting games to play. With the recommended list of best online poker casinos, basic rules, tips, and strategies, you should be all set to start to play poker online.
FAQs
Can I Legally Play Online Poker?
Yes, online poker or online gambling is not considered illegal as deemed by a recent High Court ruling due to the outdated gambling laws of the country such as the Betting Act 1653. This means Malaysian poker players are still allowed to gamble online.
What Are The Best Poker Sites In Malaysia?
The best online poker sites in Malaysia are those we have recommended in the article as these operators are licensed, legitimate, have great customer support, and offer some of the best perks for players. If you are a fan of other casino games, check out our best online casinos in Malaysia 2023 article or best sports betting websites for 2023.
Which Online Poker Is Best?
There is no best online poker as it depends on what variant of poker you like most. Some players prefer Texas Hold’em while others prefer Omaha Hi etcetera. While different poker variants may have similar rules, each has additional rules and twists to make the poker variation special. Some players even develop a preference for poker gameplay by specific software providers.
How to Play Poker?
Here are a few ways to quickly learn the basics of poker:
- Read a our guide on how to play poker to familiarize yourself with the rules and hand rankings.
- Watch online videos of professional players to observe strategies and tactics.
- Practice playing with friends or online using play money before risking real money.
- Study the game, including the different strategies, probability and odds, and psychology.
It's important to remember that becoming a skilled poker player takes time and practice. The more you play and learn, the better you will become.
