Online Poker

Everyone knows that the best way to enjoy playing at an online casino is by playing poker against other people. That's why Top Poker Tournaments was created. Our main goal is to guide you towards the best online poker gaming sites that offer tournaments and to provide you with the basic knowledge you will need to enjoy your experience to the max including basics and poker gaming strategy.

Online poker gaming has gone through many changes in the last couple of years and today we are in the era of live gaming with real people and not just against a poker machine. The growth in the number of sites offering real online gaming has increased radically and we will help you find only the best and most reputable poker rooms. Go to our online poker tournaments section to learn more about our top recommendation.

Download a free online poker gaming software and get started today, we highly recommend Bovada Poker, when you open an account with them you will also be able to bet on sports and play other casino games.

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Introduction to Poker Tournaments

Poker tournaments have become the only way to play Poker. There are various tournaments at land-based Casinos, online, mobile, and through live Casinos. Every tournament has a set time, set conditions, and entry requirements. Some tournaments last for one day, and others can run for a few days with huge prizes. The World Series of Poker is the most well-known international Poker tournament that takes place every year and can be viewed online through different Casinos and poker rooms. At online and mobile Casinos, various Poker tournaments include sit-and-go, with no need to prebook, set tournaments, high roller tournaments, and tournaments with entry fees. Either the Casino puts up the pot, the amount to be won, and charges an entry fee, or the pot is a total of funds given by all the participants.

History of Poker Tournaments

Since 1829 Poker has been the number one card game played in saloons, bars, private rooms, and in later years at Casinos. The poker tournament was always the way to play the game, even though players did not realize they were playing in a tournament. The definition of a tournament is when a player sets his chances against another over a set period. Registered tournaments emerged in the early 20th century as the game gained popularity worldwide. Poker rooms were set up, and players would register to participate in one of the games that would run for a few rounds. In 1970 the first-ever World Series of Poker tournament was established with only seven players. It ran in Las Vegas for a week, and Jonny Moss became the first winner. Since then, the WSOP has developed over the years, and now thousands take part every year between May and June at the Rio Hotel and Casino with live feeds sent worldwide.

The Importance of Poker Tournaments

Time and time again, players have stated how vital a learning tool Poker tournaments are. These games run longer and give players time to get to know the game, work on strategy, and survey other players. Any player investing in a poker tournament must understand there are financial losses and gains. Still, the participant is always a winner because of the knowledge and skills he can learn from other players. As long as a player understands that there can be losses, he can gain valuable knowledge, learn poker mathematics, and work on strategy while enjoying the social aspect, often earning handsome payouts and seeing his name rise on the leaderboard.

Top Global Poker Tournaments

The World Series of Poker since 1970 has been the world's most talked about and famous poker tournament. Since 2007 the World Series of Poker in Europe has been operational, offering a different continent for great games and poker experiences played in French, Spanish, and other European languages.

The World Series of Poker (WSOP)

Seven participants in the original World Series of Poker in 1970 started the world craze for inclusive poker tournaments. Today the World Series of Poker is split into multiple satellite tournaments with side games and the Big One in addition to the main event. The most significant win was in 2008 when over $7 million was one in one game. Over the years, the prize pool has grown, and today, over $1000000 is given out in prize money during the two months of tournaments. In 2003, Harrash Casino Group bought the rights to the WSOP; since then, it has been permanently housed in the Rio Hotel and Casino.

The European Poker Tour (EPT)

Since 2004 and the explosion of Texas Hold'em as one of the most popular Poker games, the European Poker Tour has been running every Spring in Monte Carlo. Started by a keen poker enthusiast, John Duthie. the European Poker Tour runs for a few weeks and welcomes worldwide players. In 2011 PokerStars took over the running and sponsorship of the tournament, offering more options and higher stakes in many of the games.

The World Poker Tour (WPT)

With the popularity of Poker growing in the early 2000's the World Poker Tour was established. It is owned and operated by a gaming and entertainment company that runs regular tournaments and broadcasts the final table of each one through its exclusive channel. The first-ever World Poker Tour tournament was the Battle of the Champions broadcast in 2004. Prizes are lower than the WSOP but still very exciting, and the WPT, as it is known, brings Poker to every household through live broadcasting.

The Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT)

The Asian Poker Tour started in 2008, offering smaller tournaments around the Asian continent, including the Philippines, South Korea, Cambodia, India, and many other countries. Live reporting from the Asia Pacific Poker Tours and, in later years, televised games contributed to the popularity of this continent's tournament.

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA)

The Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure has had a rocky history starting in 2004. This colorful and exotic tournament ran each year by PokerStars in collaboration with different Poker bodies and the World Poker Tour. Over the years, the management has changed hands several times and was finally suspended in 2020, but it was rekindled in 2023 and will now be held every January at the Baha Mar Resort. Over fifty poker events run in ten days; the minimum buy-in is $10000.

The Aussie Millions Poker Championship

The Aussie Millions Poker Championship is not the official name for this competition called the Crown Australian Poker Championship, and it takes place every year around January or February in Melbourne at the Crown Casino. Since 1997 the Aussie Millions Poker Championship has welcomed players from Australia and New Zealand, offering a range of tournaments with different value prizes. Over $7 million Australian dollars are dedicated each year to prizes.

Online Poker Tournaments

Online poker tournaments are a broad term to cover any online Casino tournament, whether it is life or not. A predetermined prize pool is defined, and players buy into the tournament or can enter for free or with a bonus ticket. Once accepted to an online poker tournament, the player is given a set number and value of chips that he will use in his quest to win the big pot.

Freeroll Poker Tournaments

Freeroll poker tournaments are played online and at mobile Casinos with no entry fee. Players work towards winning the pot given by the Casino and can win all or part of it, splitting it with other players depending on the outcome of the card hands.

Satellite Poker Tournaments

Satellite poker tournaments are played as regular online tournaments with buy-ins or for free, with the only difference being the player does not win the pot; he wins a place at a further tournament that offers a bigger prize pool and is often part of a competition.

Understanding the Structure of Poker Tournaments

Poker tournaments vary according to the number of days or hours they run and the number of players involved. There can be tournaments with different rounds that lead to higher and higher stakes and the chance to win bigger prizes. And there are tournaments such as sit and go that cost very little to join and do not require registration. These are tournaments with one round only. Before entering a tournament, it is essential to check what type of tournament is offered and ensure enough funds and time are available.

Types of Poker Games in Tournaments

Poker has many variations, but two main ones are used in different poker tournaments. Texas Hold'em is very popular and offers social and competitive aspects. Players are initially dealt two cards called the hole, face down, and the center of the game holds five community cards set in the middle, face down, to begin with. Players place their first bet, and then three community cards are turned over. And players decide if they want to continue with the game or fold. This continues until all community cards have been turned over, and the players show their cards to see which one has the best hand. The best poker hand is a royal flush, followed by a straight flush. Carribean Stud Poker is another popular choice in poker tournaments. Although this version does not pit players against each other, each player plays against the dealer. The dealer has five cards with one face up, and the player is also dealt five cards. The game progresses as the player decides to continue and keep betting or fold if he thinks the dealer has a better hand. A dealer can only qualify and be part of the showdown if he has a hand higher than Ace, King, 4, 3, and 2. Some tournaments offer different Poker games, including five-card studs and seven-card drawers.

The Rise of High Roller Tournaments

High roller tournaments are for the players with big pockets and money to spare. Players should never enter a tournament if they cannot afford to lose. The high roller tournaments require a qualifying ante bet of between $100 to $1000, depending on the tournament. The rise of the high roller tournaments is mainly due to the acceptance of players worldwide and the popularity of the World Series of Poker, where high stakes and prizes are offered.

Strategy for Poker Tournaments

Apart from Blackjack, Poker is one of the only card games where strategy is an integral part. Strategies are based on mathematical probabilities depending on the cards shown and also on betting amounts. Most strategists push for bluffing and aggressive play but are not afraid to fold when the cards look bad. Bluffing is one of the oldest ways to win a poker game by pretending that the handheld is good and will win. The term " poker face" comes from the idea that a player is bluffing and not showing whether his cards are good. Some players even learn psychology, body chemistry, and actions to see if they can beat other players through observance. Another essential strategic point is to prepare in advance for a tournament. Learn about the players and the limits and requirements of each tournament before joining. And where possible, take some time to watch other players and the game and how the dealer works before investing in a tournament. Education is knowledge, and it can help the player learn about the game and even bring better results.

The Biggest Payouts in Poker Tournament History

Over the years, there have been some incredible wins in Poker tournaments by seasoned and professional players. The players are mainly American and Chinese and dedicate their life to Poker, investing huge amounts and winning massive payouts. The biggest ever win is attributed to Bryn Kenney in 2019, who won the Triton Tournament in London with a buy-in of $1 million, and he won $ 20 million. The successive largest win was in 2012, also by an American in the Big One for One Chip WSOP, winning $ 18 million; his name is Antonion Tsfardiara. There have been a few $ 12 million winners, including a Chinese player called Elton Tsang, who won the 2016 Monte Carlo One Drop Extravaganza 2016, and Jamie Gold, another American who won the WSOP main event in 2006. Prominent players who make their big wins have the sense to retire when ahead and are often not seen again in tournaments.

Women in Poker Tournaments

Poker used to be considered solely a man's game, but over the years, women have become more involved in the game; in fact, there is even a famous female poker player up in the hall of fame called Vanessa Selbst, who has won over $10 million cumulatively over the years in medium-sized tournaments. Recently the WIP was set up; this stands for Women in Poker and is a five-day celebration for women only, including poker tournaments and unique spa and hotel fun.

Poker Tournament Etiquette and Rules

Every tournament has its own rules, but what is always important is to be respectful of others. The dealer's word is the last, and players who argue with the dealer may be disqualified. It is recommended not to talk during poker games so as not to distract other players. And if you have folded, keep quiet, don't say or do anything to influence the remaining players.

Tournament Poker vs. Cash Games

Cash games are more casual and require players to buy in with minimum and maximum buy-ins. The poker tournaments have a set stake that players have to buy into, usually higher than the cash games. The cash games are more casual and have lower-value bets.

The Impact of Poker Tournaments on the Gambling Industry and the Future of Poker Tournaments

Poker has become an industry and is now much more than another game. Some consider the poker industry separate from the online gambling industry and land-based Casinos. Poker rooms are not always situated within Casinos and but Casinos will always have a poker room. Because of the popularity of Poker not only as a game to take part in but also to view and watch through live streaming and TV channels, gambling has become more popular. Advertisements on poker TV channels include central Casinos and online gaming houses. Poker players are offered extra bonuses and promotions when playing Casino games. And in some ways, Poker popularity has brought gaming and online gaming back, increasing players' desire to enjoy a fun and leisurely activity. And many of the big poker houses and Casinos also use the platforms to give money to charity and support needy causes. The social awareness associated with some poker games has increased the popularity of the game together with full accessibility thanks to technology, Poker TV channels, and mobile devices. Poker is here to stay, and in fact, predictions are that there will be more tournaments and more accessibility in the future, including using social Casinos to promote poker games that players can then buy into when they have earned enough chips. The thrill and excitement of Poker tournaments are growing daily and are here to stay with more investment in the industry and more options popping up weekly.