Top Sites to Play Live Poker Online

Poker has long been one of South Africa’s most popular casino games, and now you can play with a Live Dealer anytime and anywhere with the innovative Live Poker games at top sites on Casino.com ZA. The casinos feature a growing collection of Live Poker games including Casino Hold 'em, 3 Card Brag, and 55 Card Stud Poker.

The Live Casino is a collective effort between our top operators and reputable live casino providers like Playtech, The Live Poker games take place in a unique casino that only caters to online players. With hundreds of streaming cameras, South African players can place bets, watch as the cards are dealt, and even chat with the dealer.

As poker continues to rise in popularity in South Africa and around the world, it's now easier than ever to play for real money. Register your online casino account in a few simple steps and see if you have what it takes to beat the dealer.

Unlike traditional poker, Live Poker is a game that pits the player against the dealer. If you aren't sure how to play, check out the rules section below.

Casino.com ZA has over 15 years of experience in the iGaming industry.  As such, we pride ourselves on identifying operators that use the latest technology and have a history of fair play. If you have any questions about making withdrawals, deposits, bonuses, rest assured that the Customer Support team is available 24/7 at any of the top live poker casinos featured on our website.

HOW TO PLAY LIVE POKER?

While all Live Casino games have slight variations in the rules, the basis of the games is similar. Start by visiting the Live Casino lobby and join one of the tables. The game will open in a new window with a live feed showing your dealer.

There is usually the option to join a table without placing any bets. This is an excellent way to get a first-hand look at the style and pace of play before you wager any of your chips.

While the traditional style of poker pits the players against each other and requires special skills like bluffing and trying to predict what cards your opponents are holding, Live Poker games are one on one games against the dealer. Whoever has the best hand wins.

When you join a table, you will have to wait for the current game to finish before joining in on the action. Once the hand is over, follow these simple steps to play.

• Place your ante bet: Each hand starts with a 20 second window for you to place your initial bet. If you don't get your bet down before the clock reaches zero, you won't be able to play the hand.
• Cards are dealt: The dealer hands out the cards, with the specific number of cards and how they're dealt varying based on the type of game you're playing.
• Play or Fold: After you see your cards, it's time to decide whether you want to fold your hand or call and double your ante bet. If you choose to call, the dealer will finish dealing the cards, and if your hand beats the dealer, the money will instantly be added to your bankroll.

RULES OF LIVE POKER

The rules are pretty simple; have a better hand than the dealer. However, just beating the dealer isn't enough. The payout is based on the cards in your hands. Live Poker uses the traditional hierarchy of poker hands, with a royal flush earning the highest payout, followed by a straight flush and a four of a kind. You can see the complete paytable and the odds of getting each hand below. This information is also available on the Live Poker tables.

To even the house edge a bit, the Live Dealer will need a qualifying hand in order for a game to count. For example, the minimum qualifying hand in Casino Stud Poker is a K high card. Therefore, even if you're holding a royal flush, but the dealer doesn't have any card higher than a Q, all you will win is your initial bet back.

WHY PLAY AGAINST A LIVE DEALER

There's a special feeling you get when playing with a Live Dealer that most players don't get when playing the online version of these games. Instead of digital cards, you're watching the dealer shuffle and deal from a 52-card deck. While all casino games at the sites featured on Casino.com ZA use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to guarantee fairness, there is just something different about seeing real cards instead of playing with a computer-generated deck.

Another cool factor is that all players, no matter where they live, are dealt the same cards as you. This gives you a unique perspective as to how others play the game. Are they folding or calling? Is there a strategy that you can employ when playing to increase your odds of winning?

A Live Chat option gives you the ability to talk with your dealer and ask questions, which helps create an authentic casino experience.

The final advantage is that Live Poker ups the action with several exciting side bets and even a progressive jackpot that you won't find in the online Poker games.

There's no doubt about it for the best casino poker experience; playing against a Live Dealer is the way to go.

AVAILABLE LIVE POKER TABLES IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Live Poker rooms at the best online casinos on Casino.com ZA are open 24/7. Below are three of the most prominent titles you’ll find at our top poker sites, each one giving the player a slightly different way to win.

LIVE POKER ODDS AND PAYOUTS

Assuming the dealer has a qualifying hand, you can use the chart below to see the odds and payouts for each winning hand. In the case where there is no qualifying hand, the player wins a 1:1 payout for the ante bet, and the call or pay bet is a push and simply returned.

The hierarchy of winning hands is pretty much the same for each of the three games described above, but the specific payouts and odds vary.

Casino Stud Poker

Casino Hold 'em

3 Card Brag

For additional information regarding the side bets, click on the help menu located on the game window, or ask your Live Dealer.

CLAIM YOUR POKER BONUS AND BEAT THE DEALER

Casino.com ZA has insights into some of the best bonuses for Live Casino games in South Africa. Using bonus money is an excellent way to try out new games at relatively low risk. To claim a bonus, starting with the Welcome Package, you will need to register your online casino account and make a deposit. There are plenty of secure and quick payment methods, so you can get in the game quickly. In addition to the Welcome Package, Casino.com ZA has also highlighted several promotions and bonus offers. Get all the latest information, including how you can use and redeem bonus winnings, when you visit the Promotions page today.

PLAY LIVE POKER FOR REAL MONEY

Choose from three-card, five-card, seven-card Live Poker, or play many other variants when you join the top live poker casino sites listed by Casino.com ZA. Each game is exciting in its own way, with different betting options and qualifying dealer hands. Select a suitable choice, register your account today and get unlimited access to their entire Live Dealer Casino, including Live Blackjack, Live Roulette, and Live Baccarat. Along with access to real money casino games, you'll receive an exclusive Welcome Package with your first deposit. Don't delay. Start playing Live Poker at the recommended sites on Casino.com ZA today.