The Player’s Guide to Live Poker in South Africa
Poker in a casino? Gamblers know that poker is less about chance and more about skill. Then again, Sun City and Montecasino both have exclusive poker rooms, so the game of poker does have its place in a casino, even online. Casino poker is the same game in its spirit - but it’s played completely differently. Let’s dive into the world of the live poker games that you can play at South African online casinos.
South African Casinos Featuring Live Poker Games
What Is Live Poker?
Casino games are all about speed and entertainment. They are fast-paced and fun to play, not letting you get bored for even a minute. Poker is not a game that fits this description. Poker players rely on their skill and experience to read the room, and their goal is to defeat their opponents - other players. In casino games, you play against the house and don’t have time for long betting sessions and careful consideration.
The first casino poker games emerged in real-life casinos at the turn of the century. The first such game, Casino Hold'em, was introduced in 2000, and others were developed in the coming year. Most of them are based on community card games like Hold’em or Stud. Unlike traditional poker, these games are played against the house, and don’t have betting rounds - they are fast and fun to play.
Live Poker Variants
There are several variants of live dealer poker that you can play at online casinos:
Casino Hold’em
Everyone’s favourite community card poker game has become a successful casino game thanks to an ingenious game designer in the year 2000. The game has two betting rounds and a few special conditions that you won’t find at the poker table.
Where to Play Casino Hold’em in South Africa
How to Play Casino Hold’em Live Poker Game:
- The game is played with a single standard 52-card deck
- Each player and the dealer gets a hand of two cards - the dealer’s cards are facing down
- You need to place the Ante bet to play
- You can place a bonus bet that pays for a pair of aces or above, according to a paytable
- Three community cards are dealt
- Based on your hand and the community cards, you can decide if you want to:
- Play (you place a bet worth twice your Ante bet)
- Or fold (you lose the Ante bet)
- The remaining two community cards are dealt
- The dealer then reveals their hand. They need to qualify by having at least a pair of 4s
- If the dealer doesn’t qualify, your Ante bet pays according to a paytable, and your Play bet is a push
- The hands are evaluated based on the standard poker hand rankings if the dealer qualifies:
- If the dealer’s hand is better, the dealer wins
- If your hand is better, you win:
- The Ante bet pays based on the pay table
- The Play bet pays 1 to 1
Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker is a simplified Brag version introduced in the mid-1990s. It is a poker variant with the speed of other casino table games but a familiar format and rules. It’s a simple card comparison game between the dealer and the players. The game is simpler and faster than Casino Hold’em and just as much fun to play.
Where to Play Three-Card Poker in South Africa
How to Play Three-Card Live Poker
- You place an Ante bet
- Each player, and the dealer, are handed three cards. The dealer’s hand is dealt face down.
- Based on your hand, you can decide whether to:
- Play - you place a Play bet equal to the Ante bet
- Fold - your ante bet is lost
- When all players have decided, the hands are revealed and compared.
- The dealer has to qualify with a pair of Queens or higher
- If the dealer doesn’t qualify, your Ante bet pays 1 to 1
- If the dealer qualifies, the hands are compared.
- If your hand wins, the Ante and the Play bet both pay 1 to 1
- If the dealer’s hand wins, both your bets are lost
Hand Rankings
With just three cards in a hand, the hand rankings in Three Card Poker differ from the standard game. Here they are in order:
High card | Any single card that’s higher than the dealer’s |
Pair | Two cards of the same rank |
Flush | Three cards of the same suit |
Straight | Three cards in ascending order |
Three of a kind | Three cards of the same rank |
Straight flush | Three cards of the same suit in ascending order |
Side Bets
The standard game of Three Card Poker comes with several side bets built right into the game.
Pair Plus | A side bet on any pair or better |
Ante Bonus | A side bet that you’ll have a straight or better |
Prime | Available in some casinos, it pays if the three cards of the player are all of the same colour |
Six Card Bonus | At selected casinos, this side bet pays for the best five-card poker hand formed by the player and dealer hand. |
Teen Patti
Not technically a poker variant, we include Teen Patti here because it is very similar to three-card poker variants. It is based on Three-card Brag, a popular card game. Sometimes, it’s also called flush or flash. It’s a fast-paced game with plenty of betting opportunities and the potential for quick payouts.
Where to Play Teen Patti Poker in South Africa
How to Play Teen Patti
- You’ll need to place an Ante bet to participate in the game
- Both you and the dealer are dealt a hand consisting of three cards, face down
- Before you see your cards, you have the opportunity to place a blind bet equal to your Ante bet
- Once the cards are revealed, you can place a seen bet worth twice your Ante bet
- When all bets are on the table, the hands are revealed
- The Play bet pays for at least a double (a pair)
- The See bet pays for at least a colour (a straight)
Teen Patty Hand Rankings
The hand rankings in Teen Patti are similar to the standard poker hands, with a few differences:
Double | Two cards of matching ranks |
Colour | Three cards of matching suit |
Sequence | Three cards in ascending order |
Pure Sequence | Three cards of the same suit in ascending order |
Trio | Three of a kind |
Side Bet City
Based on the rules of Five Card Draw, Side Bet City adds an extra spin to live poker casino games. It’s very simple and fast, and especially fun to play.
Where to Play Side Bet City in South Africa
Side Bet City Rules
The game is played with a single 52-card deck. After each round, the used deck is shuffled, and a freshly shuffled deck is used for the game. You get to place your bets before the cards are dealt on which hand will win:
- The 3-card hand
- The 5-card hand
- The 7-card hand
- Neither of them
You can bet on either of these options or several of them. When all bets are placed, the dealer deals three cards on the table. This one is followed by two more, then the last two. Once all the cards are on the table, the hand values are evaluated based on the standard poker rankings, and your winnings are paid out.
Live Poker FAQ
What is live poker?
Live poker is a thrilling form of casino poker played in real-time against either a real dealer or other players, typically through an online platform that streams the game live. Unlike traditional casino poker where you play against other participants, live poker in online casinos often pits you against the house, providing a fast-paced and dynamic gaming experience that’s both engaging and fun.
Where to play live poker?
In South Africa, several online casinos offer live poker games, providing an authentic casino experience from the comfort of your home. Some popular options include Hollywoodbets, Gbets, YesPlay, Tusk Casino, Playa Bets, and B Casino. Each of these platforms provides a variety of live poker variants, ensuring there’s something for every poker enthusiast.
How does live poker work?
Live poker involves a real dealer who deals cards and manages the game via a live video stream, creating an immersive experience that mirrors playing in a physical casino. Players place bets and make decisions in real time using the online interface. The dealer’s actions are streamed live, and the results of each game are determined according to standard poker rules. This setup allows for an interactive and engaging gaming experience that combines the excitement of live play with the convenience of online access.
What are the popular variants of live poker?
There are several exciting variants of live poker available at South African online casinos. Casino Hold’em, a popular community card game, is played against the house and offers a streamlined version of traditional Texas Hold’em. Another favourite is Three Card Poker, which is a fast-paced game where players compete against the dealer with just three cards. Teen Patti, similar to Three Card Poker, offers quick payouts and plenty of betting opportunities. Lastly, Side Bet City, based on Five Card Draw, provides a unique twist with its simple, fast gameplay and various betting options.
What are the rules of Casino Hold’em?
In Casino Hold’em, players compete against the dealer using community cards to form the best possible poker hand. The game starts with each player and the dealer receiving two cards. Players place an Ante bet to play and can also place a bonus bet. After the community cards are dealt, players decide whether to continue by placing a Play bet or fold. The dealer’s hand must qualify with at least a pair of 4s. If the dealer does not qualify, the Ante bet pays according to a paytable and the Play bet is a push. If the dealer qualifies, hands are compared, and payouts are made based on the standard poker hand rankings.