Poker is one of the most well-known (and most played) casino games around the world. While this strategic card game has its roots way back in the 18th century, its popularity rose during the 2000s with the release of the film Rounders, the introduction of online poker and the launch of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) — which televised poker tournaments and brought poker to the masses.
One of the things that makes poker so exciting is that there are so many different ways of playing it. There are several variations of the game like Texas Hold’Em, Five-card draw, Omaha Hold’em and Seven-card stud, which you might have already tried.
In this article, we look at some of the most exciting poker challenges you can try for yourself, whether on your own or with friends. Read on to find out what they are!
Have fun with poker challenges
Poker has always been a versatile game, with seemingly limitless ways to enjoy it. That can be the type of poker game you choose to play, or how you play them – at a land-based casino for example, playing online poker. But there’s also several challenges you can take on to enhance the poker-playing experience.
You should be aware of the potential risks of playing any poker challenge before taking it on. Be aware of burnout and always be sure to set a bank roll in place beforehand, so you’re playing within your budget at all times. Now, here are some of the top 3 poker challenges to try:
Start with £10 and build it
This is one of the simplest challenges, and it’s really about seeing how far you can build your bankroll from playing poker.
Begin by setting a small budget (we’ve suggested £10 as a starting point) and document your journey as you try to build it into a larger sum. You can do this either by keeping a personal video or written diary (even an excel sheet will do). Or you can share this journey on social channels like YouTube or TikTok.
This challenge can be done either at a live poker table, online casino or land-based casino. Or a combination of all three! It’s worth noting down your strategy and lessons learned as you build your skills – and potential winnings too. Set yourself a target and see if you can reach it!
Try a poker marathon
A poker marathon session can come in a few different forms. This can be a longstanding marathon that’s dragged out over a few sessions (over a few weeks or months). Or a single session that’s played over an intensive period, such as a 24-hour tournament or weekend.
There are many different websites and casinos where you can get involved in these kinds of tournaments, so do your research beforehand and share your journey along the way! It’s important to prepare yourself for any marathon – whether it’s running it or playing a poker tournament. Ensure you’re always kept fuelled up and hydrated and take breaks when required to avoid exhaustion as that can ruin your playing experience. Poker is meant to be fun, even if you’ve set yourself a challenge around it!
Get involved in a Heads-Up poker challenge
A Heads-Up poker challenge can be an exciting way to play the game. This form of poker is only played between two players and can be enjoyed as a singular event or part of a larger gaming session where just two players are left.
The rules are essentially the same as normal poker, however the experience is much more adrenaline pumping and strategy changes as you’re only playing with another person. Bluffs become slightly easier to pull off than they would in other games as you just have to ensure that you’re convincing about your hand to one player, as opposed to a whole table.
Heads-Up poker challenges can be played with a friend, as a single game or as part of a tournament, so do your research in advance and decide which type you want to play.
As with any game, but particularly in Heads-Up poker, you should be familiar with the rules and have a bit of a strategy in place beforehand to get the most chances of winning.