Top 10 Online Poker Casinos in Singapore for 2023
Being able to play online poker in Singapore is a great alternative to having to make the trip down to the casino at Marina Bay Sands or Resorts World Sentosa. In this article, we will be looking at some of the top online casinos for Singaporeans who want to play online poker and some basics on how to get you started.
Ranking The Best Online Poker Sites
A quick Google search for online poker sites in Singapore results in many options available. Each online casino is different in terms of the promotions, games, and services they offer. When choosing the best online casinos for poker, here are some of the factors we considered:
Poker Bonus
Be sure to find an online casino that offers special bonuses for poker players. From generous welcome bonuses to deposit bonuses, you can easily double your bankroll with just these bonuses, allowing you to play more poker games and stand the chance to win real money. Cashback promos can also be incredibly helpful in recouping your bankroll during a losing streak.
Available Variants
When playing online poker, there are many different variants of poker you can choose from. Some of the most popular variants include Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi Lo, Caribbean Stud, and more. Besides considering the type of poker game you would like to play, another important factor would be the betting minimums not all operators are flexible.
Live Poker
Besides poker variants, gamblers who are fans of an authentic casino experience would benefit from choosing online gambling sites that offer live poker games as they are hosted by live dealers. Live table games such as these stream in real time from a casino studio and mimic the real atmosphere of a physical casino, making the gambling experience even more thrilling.
Payment Methods
Not all online casinos are created equal. Be sure to choose a site that accepts the payment method you prefer. The best sites often have many different payment options including e-wallets, credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and some even accept cryptocurrencies. Reputable sites also often process deposits and withdrawals much quicker as well.
Poker Traffic
Poker traffic is a factor that is often overlooked. Having a high amount of traffic is important in online poker games as higher traffic means that more games are available. This is especially important for poker variants that are less popular.
Poker Basics and Rules
Poker is becoming increasingly popular especially as online poker games are now easily available. To start understanding the game, one must start by learning the basics.
Poker Hand Rankings
Poker hand rankings can help players understand how they can win the game. In an ascending order, the hands include no pair, one pair, two pairs, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and five of a kind. The higher the hand rankings, the more likely you are to win the pot!
Placing Bets
Some poker games require players to put an initial contribution known as an “ante” or “blind” to buy into the game. As the cards are dealt, poker players take turns making the bet. Players “call” to make the same bet, “raise” by adding more chips into the pot, or “fold” by discarding their hand. “Check” is also available to pass the action to the next player without increasing the bet.
Bluffing in Poker
In poker, bluffing is a tactic where the winner does not have the best card combination but pretends to. This coaxes other players to fold or not increase the bet, allowing the player to persist to the final round and win the pot.
Aim of Poker
Now that you’ve understood the basics, the aim of poker is to have the strongest five card hand or bluff other players that you have it. If there is more than one player left after the final betting round is over, the remaining players will reveal their cards. The highest ranking hand wins the pot.
Getting Started
Now that you know the basics of how to play poker, you can get started by choosing an online casino that suits your preferences. Some sites offer free poker games where players do not have to sign up. However, if you want to play real money poker games, you will need to create an account and deposit some funds before you can start playing on your mobile device.
Popular Online Poker Variations
One of the favorite casino games of all time, it should come as no surprise that there are a multitude of different poker variations. However, there are certainly some that are more popular than others. Some of the most popular variants of online poker include:
Texas Hold’em
Easily the most popular version of poker today, Texas Hold’em rose to stardom with the introduction of online poker rooms and televised poker. Another contributing factor to its popularity is that it is surprisingly easy to learn, making it an easy choice for beginners. It is categorized as a community card poker game and is usually available on almost any platform.
Omaha Hold’em
Despite its official name of Omaha Hold’em, this variant of poker is better known as Omaha High. It is considered by some to be the hardest poker variant to master due to it being difficult to learn and bluff. Players in Omaha Hi are dealt four cards with two being used to make the best poker hand. It is also a community card poker game.
Seven Card Stud
7-card stud is an older stud poker variant that has been around since the Civil War. With players dealt a card each per round, each player will end up with four face up cards and three face down cards. The best five card combination in the hand wins. As its name suggests, this variant is categorized as a stud poker game.
Five Card Draw
Five card draw is the most popular out of all draw poker games. It is commonly played in online poker and in home poker games. Since it is fairly straightforward, it is a great variant for beginners to learn. In this game, five cards are dealt to each player which can then be exchanged. At the end of the round, the best five card hand wins.
Badugi
Badugi is another draw poker variant where the poker hand ranking structure in traditional poker remains. However, instead of aces having a high value, they have a low value in badugi. The game begins by players being dealt four cards. Once the final betting round closes, the player with the best poker hand out of four cards wins.
Popular Poker Players from Singapore
Poker is one of those casino games where pros make a living out of playing the game. Many of these professional poker players hail from all over the world, Singapore included. Some of the most popular poker players from Singapore to watch out for include:
Kenneth Kee Wee Kiang
At number one of our list, Kenneth Kee Wee Kiang is a Singaporean poker player that has earned more than US$4.12 million since the start of his career. Spending nearly a decade honing his craft at the poker table, he primarily earns his living playing cash games overseas. While others may envy him, he says that it is a tough life, playing up to 12 to 16 hours a day and only sleeping the bare minimum.
Diwei Huang
Diwei Huang or Bryan Huang is one of the poker stars from Asia. Having taken up an interest in poker during his military service, his interest continued while he was studying accountancy. As he started studying the game, he played the live circuit since 2006 and is now one of the toughest players. With estimated total live earnings of US$1.48 million, he ranks second in the highest earning poker players in Singapore of all time.
Wayne Yap
With more than US$1.42 million in winnings, Wayne Yap is another Singaporean poker player that has an impressive record of accomplishments. The biggest payout he has won in a live event is US$719,505, making it into the number three spot on Singapore’s all-time money list.
Alex Xiang Wei Lee
A familiar face in both the Asian and Australian poker circuit, Alex Xiang Wei Lee has captured titles in both continents since 2011. Ranking 4th in Singapore’s All Time Money List, his total live earnings total up to US$1.16 million.
Chris Yeow Chung Chong
Ranking fifth on the list with total live earnings of US$798,038, Chris Yeow Chung Chong also has an impressive record. His most recent success was during 2020 in Manila and 2019 in Las Vegas. However, his biggest win was during the 49th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas where he came in fourth and won about US$355,000.
5 Biggest Poker Tournaments
As poker grows more popular, the prestige of poker tournaments also increases. Here are five of the biggest poker tournaments globally:
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker or WSOP is easily the biggest poker tournament with players standing to win millions of dollars. Held annually in Paradise, Nevada, some of the main events require buy ins that may go up to US$ 250,000 per person as seen in their Super high Roller No Limit Hold’em tournament.
Triton Super High Roller Series
The Triton Poker Super High Roller Series is a streamed and televised high-stakes poker tournament held in some of the most luxurious locations all over the world. Founded by Malaysian businessman Richard Yong, the venue for 2023 will be in Hoi An, Vietnam.
World Championship of Online Poker
When it comes to online poker tournaments, the World Championship of Online Poker takes place virtually but the prizes are just as lucrative as in-person tournaments. Sponsored and played on the PokerStars website, this tournament began in 2002 as an effort to establish the online equivalent of WSOP.
The Big One for One Drop
The Big One for One Drop is a prestigious poker tournament that takes place once every two years. Held for a good cause, payers buy in with US$ 1 million for a No Limit Texas Hold’em game hosted at the WSOP. It was added in 2012 and is the highest buy-in poker tournament offering the largest single payout. Part of each player’s buy in is donated to the One Drop Foundation.
PokerStars Players Championship
One of the biggest names in professional poker industry, PokerStars hosts numerous events in the community. The biggest event is their Caribbean Adventure No Limit Hold’em Championship that takes place annually in Nassau. Players come together to celebrate poker and buy in up to US$ 100,000 for a seat at the Super High Roller tables.
Conclusion
Online poker is a great way for beginners to get some practice. Even for poker veterans, playing online poker is much more convenient than having to make the trips to a physical casino. As online poker grows in popularity, there are even online poker tournaments now with prizes that are just as lucrative as in-person poker championships.
FAQs
Is online poker legal in Singapore?
Due to Singapore’s recent update in online gambling laws, online gambling in Singapore is unfortunately prohibited especially if it is through unlicensed operators. Currently, there are no local online casino operators. Therefore, most poker players play their games via offshore online casinos that are licensed and reputable. Some players also use a virtual private network (VPN) to hide their location.
Can I play real money poker online?
Yes, you can play free online poker games to help you understand the basics before committing to real money poker games. Any of our recommended online casinos in this article offer real money poker games.
Does RWS have poker?
Yes, Resorts World Sentosa Casino offers poker games. The casino has 7 No Limit Hold’em poker tables with starting blinds at SG$10 or SG20 and a 5% rake capped at SG$50.
Is online poker rigged?
This depends on the site you play on. With reputable online casinos such as those recommended in this article, the operators are licensed and regulated by the relevant authorities. Their games are also regulated by third party companies that ensure the games offered are fair and honest. For this reason, we recommend playing real money online poker only with reputable and credible sites.
Which poker sites have the best payout rates?
The best poker sites that have great payout rates include those we have recommended in this article. They include Ten188, BK8, 1xBet, K9Win, Bet365, and more.
