Online Poker is one of the most played card games in the Middle East and North Africa. If you’d like to get started with Online poker, visit any of the sites below.
Top Recommended Poker Casinos for Arab Players
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Poker’s popularity can be attributed to the game having one of the lowest house edges in the gambling scene, with some variants delivering negative values with an optimal strategy. In this guide, we will introduce you to some tips and strategies for playing online poker game, where to play real money poker and which games to play. Buckle up!
What is Poker?
Poker is a table game that involves comparing cards similar to games like blackjack and baccarat. Although the game’s origin is still subject to debate, it’s believed that Poker originated in France, called Poque, back then. Here, Poker started spreading to the rest of the world, entering the United States in the 19th century.
Today, Poker is played using a standard 52-card deck, although some variants can have 40 or 48 cards. The game begins after players make a mandatory blind or ante bet. After this, players can fold, call, raise, and perform other actions before the winning player takes the pot. The general idea is to create the strongest 5-card hand, although some games use three cards. Overall, Poker is a pretty easy game to comprehend.
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Top 3 Online Casinos to Play Poker
| Rank | Casino | Bonus Offer | Payment Speed | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 777 Casino | 120% up to $500 | Up to 3 days | Play Now |
| #2 | Betfinal Casino | 100% up to $3,000 | Up to 24 hours | Play Now |
| #3 | Haz Casino | 250% up to €1,000 | Up to 24 hours | Play Now |
Poker is a mainstay at most online gambling sites. But with hundreds of operators accepting Arab players, finding the best Arabic online casinos to play this popular card game can be challenging. So, if you’re looking to play real money poker for the first time, consider joining these three online casinos:
777 Casino
777 Casino is a top-rated Online Casino in Libya operated by 888 Holdings, which also owns the popular 888 Casino. It’s a relatively new gambling site launched in 2015 and is licensed by legal authorities in the United Kingdom, Malta, and Gibraltar. After joining the casino, deposit at least $20 to claim the welcome bonus of 120% up to $500 with a 100BONUS code. Players have up to 90 days to meet the 30x wagering requirement and cash out.
Use the bonus to play a wide selection of poker games, with the casino accepting bets as low as $0.10. You’ll find options like Casino Hold ’em, Jacks or Better, Caribbean Poker, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Aces and Faces, etc. Besides Poker, you can also access thousands of slots, roulette, baccarat, and blackjack games. It’s more like playing on 888 Casino but on a different platform.
Pros:
- Owned by a reputable company.
- Hundreds of poker variants to play.
- 30x wagering requirement.
Cons:
- Withdrawals can take up to 3 days to complete.
Betfinal Casino
Betfinal is another excellent option for Arab poker players, especially if you also want to bet on sports. Betfinal Casino Arabic accepts players from countries like Morocco, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, and more. Interestingly, the casino has welcome bonuses tailored for players from specific countries. For example, Moroccan players are welcomed with a 100% up to 1,000 Moroccan Dirham (MAD) bonus, whereas Algerians get 100% up to 14,800 Algerian Dinar (DZD).
Betfinal is a leading online casino in Jordan and is home to developers like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, Microgaming, Betsoft, and more. Players can test their card skills on various online poker variants, including Joker Poker, American Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Texas Hold ’em, and more. You can also find online slots, with some housing fantastic progressive jackpot payouts. What’s more, Betfinal Casino processes payouts almost instantly.
Pros:
- Many games from leading suppliers.
- Licensed and regulated platform.
- Award-winning customer support.
Cons:
- Limited language options.
Haz Casino
Haz Casino is a new gambling site launched in 2020 by Versus Odds BV. This reputable online Casino in Lebanon is licensed by the Government of Curacao, providing players with a good range of games. At this gambling site, you will find over 8,000 games, with at least 7,000 titles being slots. Poker players will find 60+ titles from Evolution, Ezugi, BGaming, and more. Popular titles include Poker Lobby by Playtech, 6+ Poker by BetGames, Three Card Poker by Ezugi, and more.
But before playing the available real money poker games, you must deposit to receive the 250% up to €1,000 match bonus plus 125 free spins. If you’re a cryptocurrency player, Haz Casino has your back with a 200% up to €200 welcome bonus. Note that the cryptocurrency welcome bonus is 100% wager free, meaning all winnings are yours for keeps. Also, this ecoPayz casino online doesn’t reward deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz.
Pros:
- 8,000+ casino games.
- Wager-free welcome bonus for crypto deposits.
- Simple and modern user interface.
Cons:
- Low payout limit.
Getting the Best Online Poker Bonus
Online casinos are often looking to increase their customer base. They achieve that by offering bonuses such as match deposits, free spins, no-deposit bonuses, weekend cashback, and more. Players can use them to build their bankrolls and win an actual money payout on a good day. Bonuses also allow players to learn poker rules without risking real money.
But because bonuses are widespread these days, players must be careful lest they claim the wrong reward. One of the best ways to confirm if a casino bonus is tailored for you is to check the qualifying games. Ideally, you would want to claim a bonus that allows you to play Poker and other table games.
Another way to choose the best poker bonuses is to confirm the wagering requirements. Always ensure that the bonus has low wagering requirements to increase your odds of withdrawing winnings. We advise you to choose big bonuses with low wagering requirements, preferably anything below 40x. An excellent example is the 777 Casino welcome bonus with a 30x wagering requirement.
Other bonus conditions include:
- The validity period: The bonus must give you ample time to meet the requirements.
- Maximum withdrawal: Choose a bonus with the highest possible withdrawal limit.
- Bonus code: Always read the terms to confirm if the bonus has any promo code.
How to Win at Online Poker
Poker is one of the most intimidating online casino games, especially if you’re a beginner. So, players must arm themselves with the necessary knowledge to win a bet in this popular card game. Below are some tips and tricks that could increase your odds of winning a poker bet:
Understand Poker Glossary
Nothing is more embarrassing for a poker player than taking a bad beat on the table while looking like a fish. You can avoid this unwanted situation by starting your poker journey by learning the game’s terminologies.
For example, you can start by learning what the main poker hands mean and how to create them. You can also learn terminologies like flop, pre-flop, call, kicker, etc. Knowing these terms can also help you understand most poker guides easily. You can find poker terminologies almost everywhere on the internet.
Learn How to Play Poker
Once you have a list of most poker terms, you are now ready to learn how to play Poker. Remember that Poker is unlike slot machines, where you spin the reels and wait for the outcome. Instead, players must learn the game rules and how to play the cards to be successful.
Thankfully, learning to play Poker won’t take an entire day because you’ll find several poker guides like this one. After getting enough information, put it into practice by playing Poker for free. You can play free Poker using casino bonuses, demo games, and poker apps for Android and iPhone. Alternatively, play online Poker with friends using virtual money and learn new strategies.
Practice Poker Bankroll Management
Are you ready to play real money poker at the best online gambling sites? It’s time to create your gaming bankroll! Believe it or not, even the most skilled poker players like Daniel Negreanu and Vanessa Selbst have a playing budget because everything is uncertain in gambling.
Playing with a bankroll prevents gamers from dipping into necessary money when heavy losses come knocking. We advise you to separate your gambling money from essential funds for paying house bills, health insurance, school fees, and more. Always play Poker with money that you can comfortably gamble away.
Choose the Starting Position Wisely
Most beginners ignore this critical point when playing real money poker online or offline. The reality is that your starting position can increase or reduce your chances of winning, especially when playing on a table filled with pros. Choosing a late position on the table is best because it allows you to study what other players do before you play. That sounds like common logic!
But sadly, sometimes you might find yourself in an early position, like after the big blind. If this happens, there are several strategies to get yourself out of trouble. For example, you can target weaker gamers in the blinds because they are prone to errors.
Play Tightly When Starting Out
This poker guide will assume you’re still a beginner in this card game. One of the best advice you can get is to play tightly. Avoid competing with advanced players who can play more hands per round. These players often have a strategy and how to get themselves out of tight situations.
Although playing tightly may make you look like a novice player, it allows you to improve your playing style without damaging your precious bankroll. Playing too many hands without a strategy will only add chaos to your gameplay. Dispose off-suit cards and fold marginal hands.
Begin with Low Stakes
Here is another poker strategy that you should always have in your playbook. Even if you have the biggest bankroll at the casino and can afford to stake considerable amounts, starting at the lowest level is often advisable for beginners. There are high chances that poker bets will end in losses as you start your adventure with this card game.
The good news is that most real-money online poker games allow you to play for as little as $0.10. Take advantage of these low stakes to play as many hands as possible without worrying about devastating losses. This also gives you ample time to master your strategy as you climb the Poker ranks.
Be Patient!
One of the biggest mistakes beginners often make in Poker is being result-oriented. Some players even go as far as focusing on the outcomes of specific poker hands. But these players forget that poker outcomes are primarily influenced by luck.
We advise new poker players to forget about making those earth-shaking wins and instead focus on having fun and building a strategy. With time, you will discover a plan that works best with your gameplay and start winning more often if you deserve it.
How to Play Online Poker
Below is the simple step-by-step process to guide you to your first poker bet:
Step 1. Open a poker game and place your bet.
Find a poker game on the Arabic online casinos listed in this guide, then place an ante bet. After doing this, the dealer will give you two face-down cards (hole cards).
Step 2. Pick the community cards.
Once the betting round is complete, the player will receive the flop (one of the three face-up cards). Now, you can have a rough idea of how your hand is building up. Pro players can even know whether they will win or lose the round.
Step 3. Receive the fourth and fifth cards.
You will need a solid 5-card hand in most poker games to win the round. With that in mind, you’ll be dealt “the turn,” the fourth face-up card after another betting round. You’ll then receive “the river” after another betting phase before the final showdown.
Step 4. Reveal your hand and win a payout!
After all players on the poker table have received their five cards, they will reveal their hands to determine the winner. Royal Flush is the highest poker hand, consisting of 10-A of the same suit. The kicker (high card) is the lowest-ranking hand and can break ties.
Free Online Poker Vs. Real Money Poker
| Free Online Poker | Real Money Poker |
| Play for fun without any financial commitment | Involves spending real money, with the potential for gains or losses |
| No risk involved | There’s a risk of losing money |
| Perfect for new players | Ideal for experienced players |
| No account is needed to play | Players must create and verify their accounts to play |
There are two methods to play Poker online – for free or for real money. With free poker games, you will play for fun without expecting to win real money. These games are usually played using virtual coins, and gamers can win more gaming tokens to continue playing until they have enough.
An excellent example of free-to-play poker games is demo versions, available in most casinos and gambling sites. Arab players can also play Poker for free and sharpen their skills by installing poker apps from iPhone’s App Store or Android’s Play Store.
On the other hand, real money poker is riskier to play because you’ll be staking real money in USD, EUR, GBP, and other currencies. But this can also come with amazing rewards, especially if you play Poker with a strategy. The expectation of winning or losing money makes online poker fun and exciting.
But regardless of the option you choose, you should always capitalize on free poker games. Even if you’ve been playing Poker for years, always play the free demo version before playing a new poker game. That’s because new games can come with different rules, although the main objective is always to create a robust five-card hand.
Types of Online Poker
Getting started with Poker entails more than just learning the game rules and strategies. Knowing the popular game variants is vital to find what works for you. Without further ado, below are some of the most played online poker variants:
Texas Hold ’em
Texas Hold ’em is indeed the most popular poker variant. You can easily find this poker game at regulated Arab online casinos, and is played with two cards (hole cards) and five community cards dealt in three phases. In this game, players look to create a string five-card hand from their community cards and two hole cards, with Royal Flush being the strongest hand. It’s one of the most straightforward poker games to play.
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud is another common poker variant at the best casinos in the UAE, Qatar, Morocco, and other countries. This game offers the same gameplay as standard Poker, meaning players receive two hole cards and five community cards to create a strong five-card hand. But in this game, you will duke it out against the casino instead of other gamers. For this reason, your options to bluff are greatly limited in this poker game.
Omaha Hold ’em
Omaha Hold ’em, or simply Omaha or Omaha Hi-Lo, is a community card poker game played using 52 cards. Although the primary objective is to create a strong five-card hand, the game differs from Texas Hold ’em because players receive four hole cards instead of two. Another difference is that the pot can be split between the five card high and low hands. So, learn how these hands work to avoid possible shocks on the table.
7-Card Stud Poker
Before the rising popularity of Texas Hold ’em, 7-Card Stud was the most played poker variant in the United States. This game is typical in most online casinos, with two to eight players allowed to join the table. In 7-Card Stud, the gameplay begins with players receiving two hole cards and one face-up card. Players will then receive four additional cards to create the strongest five-card hand. Note that no one can see the cards before the showdown.
3-Card Poker
3-Card Poker was first introduced in 1994 before this game became popular in the UK and US. Although the game is less popular than Texas Hold ’em, you can play online versions from Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, and Playtech. In 3-Card Poker, players are dealt three cards which they will use to create a strong three-card hand. This means the paytable is different from standard poker payouts.
How We Rate the Best Casinos for Poker
Most online casinos in the Middle East and North Africa allow players to enjoy card duels in many poker variants. However, choosing the ideal casino to play online Poker for real money can be confusing for a beginner. Fortunately, you can follow our selection guide below to find the best Arabic online casinos to play Poker:
License and Regulation
Although gambling is illegal in nearly all Arab countries, players must always ensure they play Poker at a licensed casino. Licensed casinos are committed to upholding fair and transparent practices set out by the regulator. Only play Poker in casinos licensed in Curacao, Gibraltar, Canada, the United Kingdom, etc.
Reputation
An online poker casino can be licensed but have a poor reputation among players and reviews. For this reason, we advise you to read our unbiased reviews to discover how we rate the services of the best online casinos. You can also search for the casino on online review platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit. Reading reviews is the only way to get first-hand information about the casino.
Poker Game Variety
If you’re an avid poker player, ensure the casino offers tens or hundreds of poker variants. You can confirm if the casino has enough options by browsing through the library using the search tool. Only play poker games from leading suppliers like Microgaming, Betsoft, Habanero, BGaming, Evolution, and more.
Bonuses and Promotions
Before signing up, confirm what the casino has in store for you. The best Arab casinos allow gamers to start playing Poker with rewards like match deposits, reload bonuses, cashback, high roller bonuses, and more. Also, ensure the bonus has reasonable terms and conditions, including the wagering requirement.
Payment Services
Once you have signed up, you’ll often need to make a deposit to claim the bonuses. Ensure the website lets you play online Poker with crypto like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and more. Also, the casino must offer payments via reliable traditional options like Perfect Money, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, Mastercard, etc. And most importantly, withdrawals should be instant. You don’t need to wait for weeks before receiving payouts.
Customer Support
An online casino must promise you reliable customer support before signing up. Always join a casino with instant and professional help via email, phone, live chat, or social media apps like WhatsApp and Twitter. In addition, the support should be available in multiple languages, including Arabic and English.
Mobile Gaming
Lastly, choose a casino that guarantees a smooth experience when playing Poker on your mobile phone. The best Arab casinos allow gamers to access all poker titles via a standalone app or instant-play version. Test the casino to find out how quickly the games load up on mobile and it the graphics are sharp.
Online Poker on Mobile Experience
As mentioned earlier, playing online Poker on mobile is one of the critical considerations when choosing an online casino. The best casino must allow you to access Poker on your Android or iOS device without compromising gameplay quality. But is there any difference between Android and iPhone gameplay? Let’s find out!
Poker on iPhone
According to statistics, there are more than 1.4 billion iPhone users worldwide, making up at least 21% of the total population. This means that most Arab online casinos are compatible with iPhones and iPads. With these devices, you can access all poker variants, including live Poker and free poker apps. Even better, iPhone allows users to download casino apps from App Store.
Play Poker on Android
Android is the most widespread smartphone operating system, with over 3.6 billion users. Like iPhones, nearly all Arab casinos let players access their services on their Android smartphones and tablets. However, Android doesn’t allow Arab gamers to download real money poker apps from Play Store. That’s just about the only difference between Android and iPhone gameplay.
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FAQ
Your chances of winning the pot might depend on the starting hand you get, which is essentially the first two cards. As expected, high pairs like K-K, Q-Q, A-A, and J-J are worth raising. A combination of these cards with 10, 9, or 8 is also considered a good starting hand.
No, online poker games are 100% transparent if you play in a regulated and reputable online casino. You should also confirm if the casino has a game testing certificate from independent laboratories like eCOGRA and iTech Labs. These certificates confirm the RNG systems for generating poker random results are fair and transparent.
The house edge is a percentage that determines your long-term success on a poker table. Players are often advised to play poker games with the lowest possible house edge. Double Bonus leads the group with a 100.17% return to player. Joker Poker and Jacks or Better are other excellent options, with 0.64% and 0.54%, respectively. Note that you can only achieve these payout rates with an optimal strategy.
Yes, Poker and blackjack are the only skill-based casino games. Players can use some tips to lower the house edge to favorable rates. Now consider this; why are some players more successful in Poker than others? It’s all about skill!
The difference is fairly simple. In No-Limit poker, players can place infinite bets as long as they have a chip balance. Conversely, Limit games prevent players from betting beyond a specific limit. An example is Pot Limit Omaha.
Besides slots, Poker is the other game that often dominates the casino’s “tournaments” page. A poker tournament features multiple players on a single table, with the victorious player winning the poker chips on the table. Most tournaments often have a fixed buy-in, the amount you pay to secure a seat.
Game Glossary What do These Poker Terms Mean?
| Poker term | Definition |
| Action | Your turn to place a bet, raise, fold, call, and complete other table actions. |
| Aces Up | A pair of cards, including an ace. |
| Ante | A mandatory wager made by all players before dealing the cards. |
| Bad Beat | Losing a poker hand in often unlucky situations. |
| Bankroll | The total budget that players have to play Poker for some time. |
| Big Blind | The position that’s directly on the left side of the small blind. |
| Bluff | A wager made using a weak hand, hoping to force your opponent to fold a strong hand. |
| Call | To match an existing bet in the ongoing round. |
| Check | To make no wager and pass the action to the player on the left. |
| Chip | Colored tokens representing cash on a poker table. |
| Dealer | The casino employee who deals poker cards to players. |
| Deuce | A poker card with a face value of 2. |
| Draw | The action where the dealer gives players cards after the betting round. |
| Fish | Unskilled or inexperienced poker player. |
| Flop | The third card dealt from the community cards. |
| Flush | A hand with five cards of similar suits. |
| Fold | To discard a hand because you don’t want to make a matching wager. |
| Full House | A five-card hand with a pair and three of a kind. |
| Hit and run | To win the pot after immediately joining a table, then quit playing. |
| Joker | An extra card is sometimes used as a wild card. |
| Kicker | The highest card without a pairing often used to break ties. |
| Monster | A strong poker hand. |
| Nuts | A poker hand that can never lose. |
| Pair | Two cards of similar rank. |
| Pot | The position at the center of the table with all the chips. |
| Raise | Increase the size of the initial wager. |
| River | The fifth community card in games like Texas Hold ’em and Caribbean Stud. |
| Score card | A card that might force your opponent to fold. |
| Sit and Go | A poker tournament that begins immediately after securing a seat. |
| Stud | Type of poker game without community cards. |
| Three of a kind | Three cards of identical rank with two kickers. |
| Tie | Two hands of equal strength. Most games use the kicker cards to break the tie. |
| Upcard | A card that is visible to everyone on the table. |
| Whale | A bad poker player with a big budget. |
Gaming Expert
with a vast experience in the gambling industry both online and offline, Stephen Abiola is a passionate writer who is experienced in creating casino-related content. His main areas of specialty include casino reviews, sports betting guides, bonus articles and lots more.
So far, he has written thousands of gambling content and hopes to create more content so that new and existing players can learn tips on how to win.
During his spare time, Stephen plays video games and monitors the happenings in NFL, NBA and EPL.