getting started

Download and install

1. At the bottom right hand side of this screen there is a (Play Poker Now) button, click on this.
2. A pop up window will appear, click on “Save”.
3. Once the download is complete click on “Open”.
4. To install the poker software follow the instructions on your screen.
5. After the installation is finished click on “Launch Poker”.

Account set-up

1. When the poker software is running click on “New User” to create a new account.
2. You will then be taken to the registration page on our website
3. You will be asked to provide personal details such as name and address and also choose a username and password, simply follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
4. Choose the deposit method you wish to use and then place money into your account.

Making your First Deposit

Before you are able to play for “Real Money” you need to make a deposit into your account.

1. Select a payment method you wish to use.
2. Enter the required information
3. Enter the amount you wish to deposit
4. Please be patient whilst your request is processed.

Cash Tables

Once you have finished setting up your account you need to choose a game to place in. Follow the instructions below to find the easiest way to choose a game.

In games for cash (also known as ring games), each bet you place represents real money. It is possible to join and leave a table whenever you wish. Cash games are available in a number of currencies and languages. Just follow these simple instructions and you’ll be playing for real money in no time at all.

Once you have logged into William Hill Poker you are taken to the Lobby (pictured above), here you can choose from hundreds of different games.

First you need to decide which game you want to play. There are a large variety of poker games available from William Hill Poker. To choose a game, click on the “Cash Tables” tab at the side of your screen, then just choose a game you like. We offer Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo and 5 & 7 Card Stud. It is recommended that new comers to poker learn Texas Hold’em before trying other more complicated games. To find out more about our games click here.

Once you have chosen a game you need to select a limit. People who are just starting out will probably want to try limit poker, which means there is a maximum to how much can be bet and reduces the chance of you losing all your money in one hand. There are three limit types: Limit, NL (No Limit) and PL (Pot Limit). It is possible to filter the tables so that only the type you wish to play at are displayed. To do this click on type at the side of the screen.

The last thing you need to do is select your stake. There are tables available with stakes ranging from 10c up to $200. To join a table you need at least 20 times the stake in your account balance, so if for example the stake on the table is $2/$4 then you need at least $80 to join the table. We suggest that you have more than the minimum available otherwise you will be an easy target for players who have more money.

Tables are different and it is important you understand the differences to you know what game will be played at the table you choose. Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or expert all the information you have on your opponents is important. Some information can be gathered using the tools described below:

Players: This displays the number of players at the table.

Wait: If there is no space at a table you can join a waiting list. When a seat becomes free you have the choice of taking it. The wait field displays the number of players seated at the table. Should a seat become available at a similar table to the one you have chosen it will also be offered to you.

PL / Flop: This displays the number of players left in the round after the community cards have been dealt, the more players there are per flop the more action there will be in the hand.

Hands / Hour: This displays the number of hands being played per hour on the table, the more players there are the slower the game will be.

Average Pot: This displays the average pot of each hand; if there is a high average it indicates aggressive play.

Choose your Tournament

If you’d like to play in a tournament rather than a cash game then you should follow these instructions to identify which type of tournament is for you.

In any tournament, all players pay the same buy-in and begin with an equal amount of chips; if a player looses all their chips then they are out of the tournament. The winner of the tournament is the player who wins all the chips.

Every tournament has a buy in, for example $10+$1. This would mean that the tournament costs $11 to enter, $10 of which goes towards the prize pool and $1 of which goes to the house. William Hill Poker also offers free tournaments allowing you to win money for nothing!

When selecting a tournament there are fewer choices than there are for cash games. What you must consider is how large your budget is and how much time you have to play. It is much easier to manage your finances in tournaments than cash games as all you are playing with is the buy-in.

You can choose from two types of tournaments, Sit n Go’s and Scheduled Tournaments. In both of these tournament types there are different tournament formats such as, Satellites, Freerolls, Beginners, Heads Up and Special tournaments.

Scheduled Tournaments

A Sit n Go tournament begins as soon as there are enough players at the table. A scheduled tournament begins at a fixed time.

At William Hill Poker there are a number of scheduled tournaments and you can use the filter tool (at the top of the page) to decide what type of tournament you want to play in.

To register for the tournament click on “Register”, the buy-in will then be taken from your account. When the tournament starts make sure you are logged into William Hill Poker and the table window will automatically open.

There are scheduled tournaments such as Satellites, Freerolls and Beginners available at William Hill Poker.

Sit n Go

Sit n Go tournaments only have one table. They do not have a set start time and only begin once the required number of players has registered. This normally only takes a couple of minutes. If you take a look at the Sit n Go list in the lobby you will notice that new tables are opening all the time.

Once you have chosen your stake you must select a limit. There are three limit types: Limit, NL (No Limit) and PL (Pot Limit). It is possible to filter tables so that only one type is displayed by clicking on the “Filters are off/on” tab at the top of the screen and selecting the type of table you wish to play at.

The different formats available for Sit n Go’s are Satellites, Heads Up, Beginners, Private and Jackpot Sit n Go.

To find more information on tournaments type please visit the Tournaments Section

Play for Free

There are loads of poker variants and games to learn and William Hill Poker is pleased to provide you with free poker tables where you can practice the games and perfect your skills.

Free games available include Texas Hold’em and Omaha High & Hi/Lo. They are available in limit, no limit and pot limit versions. Additionally both 7 and 5 Card stud are available.

When you login you will arrive at the William Hill Poker Lobby, here you are able to select the game you want to play and click on the Play Money tab. Choose a table with some players and start playing. It is free to play at money tables, you will receive play money credits and then you can play for as long as you like.

Free Poker Tournaments

You also have the chance to take part in Play Money tournaments, in the Play Money section click on either a Sit n Go or a Scheduled tournament. This will allow you to get a feel for poker tournaments before trying them out for real.