The popularity of online Poker in Malaysia has been on the rise in the last several years, and here are the poker games that are most popular in this Asian country.
While Malaysia is not a gambling nation, many Malaysians enjoy playing casino games, including online poker at international gambling sites.
Land-based gambling is also popular among locals and foreigners. The most visited casino complex Resorts World Genting is just a short drive from the country’s capital Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia has some of the strictest gambling laws and regulations in Asia. Some forms of gambling, including horse racing betting, lotteries, and casino games, including online poker games, are perfectly legal.
When discussing the legality of online poker in Malaysia, only licensed poker sites can offer online Poker and other casino games.
Essentially, online gambling is only legal when a gambling establishment has a valid permit or license issued by the Malaysia Ministry of Finance.
However, the best poker sites catering to Malaysian poker players are internationally-owned and operated gaming venues.
To play online poker, Malaysians have a variety of gambling venues to choose from.
Most of these are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
While they are not certified by the Malaysian Ministry of Finance, Malaysians face no legal consequences for joining and playing their favorite poker games.
Things to Consider When Looking for a Safe Poker Site
There are certain things to consider when playing online poker in Malaysia in a safe and reliable gambling environment. When looking through different poker sites in Malaysia, you want to compare their gaming libraries.
The best poker sitesoffer many other online poker games, including those that Malaysians prefer.
You also want to play online poker in a safe gaming environment, so before you choose your poker site, check all security measures and protocols employed.
Licensing is another crucial factor when looking for a safe online poker site. Only licensed websites can ensure the safety of your financial and private info.
Licensed sites also employ the best security and safety measures, such as technologically-advanced firewalls and SSL data encryption.
If you want to ensure that your chosen poker site is SSL encrypted, you can turn to an online SSL validator.
There are many SSL certificate checkers online, but the best one is powered by Qualys SSL Labs.
We highly recommend using SSL encrypted sites when playing non-gambling browser games as well to make sure you are always safe and secure while browsing.
If you want to play online poker in Malaysia in the safest gaming environment, also consider reading reviews left by other players.
In addition, you want to check your chosen site’s selection of banking options, bonuses, and promotions. Another factor to consider is fair play.
The best poker sites ensure the fairness of their poker games by working with RNG third-party testing agencies that perform regular RNG audits not only on poker but all other casino games.
The Most Popular Poker Games Among Malaysian Players
As detailed in this report on gambling laws and regulations in Malaysia, the Betting Act 1953 is the main piece of gambling legislation in the country. According to the Betting Act 1953, all gambling activities are illegal unless the operator has a valid license.
The best poker sites in Malaysia are licensed by international gambling regulatory bodies and offer all of the most popular poker games.
Texas Hold’em Poker
Speaking of the most popular poker games in Malaysia, Texas Hold’em enjoys immense popularity.
What makes Texas Hold’em so popular is its simplicity. Even if you know nothing about the game, you can learn the rules in less than five minutes.
Every Texas Hold’em poker game starts with players being dealt two cards. The dealer then spreads five cards, which can be used by all players.
The goal is to make the strongest five-card poker hand from what you have. Playing the game in an online setting is no different.
Omaha Poker
Like Texas Hold’em Poker, Omaha poker has fans among Malaysian poker players. One of the most popular versions of Omaha poker is Pot-Limit which is usually enjoyed by high rollers.
In Pot-Limit Omaha, players initially receive four-hole cards. Players can also raise their stake at almost any point during the game.
The major difference between Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker lies in their betting structure.
In Texas Hold’em, no-limit is the preferred betting structure, while pot limit is the preferred betting structure in most Omaha games.
Seven-Card Stud
Seven-Card Stud is also extremely popular among Malaysians, especially players who prefer more strategic games.
Like in other online poker games, in Seven-Card Stud, the main goal is to compile the best combination made of five cards. During the initial deal, all players get two cards before one card facing up is dealt.
During each game round, players get one more face-down and three face-up cards. During the showdown, players form their five-card combination out of seven cards.
Essentially, the rules of Seven-Card Stud are similar to the rules of Texas Hold’em, but players can hold their cards in a slightly different manner.
Five-Card Draw
Fourth on our list of Malaysia’s most popular poker games we have Five-Card Draw poker. Five-Card Draw is one of the simplest variants compared to other online poker games.
This is why Five-Card Draw games are mostly enjoyed by Malaysian poker players who do not have much experience.
Most poker sites offer three different variants of Five-Card Draw, including No-Limit, Pot-Limit, and Fixed-Limit. These feature different betting structures but have the same poker rules.
Razz Poker
Razz Poker is an exciting, fast-paced online poker game that shares the most similarities with Seven-Card Stud poker.
What makes Razz Poker different from other poker games is the main. In Razz, you need to compose the worst possible poker hand according to standard hand rankings.
So, the best hand in other poker games is the worst in Razz poker. The best possible hand you can get in Razz poker is a five-high made of an Ace, two, three, four, and five. In Razz poker, flushes and straights do not count.
The Most Popular Poker Events in Malaysia
Resorts World Genting is known for running awesome high-stakes poker tournaments and events. All the poker tournaments within the venue occur at the SkyCasino Gold Club.
Since 2020, Resorts World Genting has been licensed to offer cash games. Omaha and Texas Hold’em tournaments are also held at the venue.
When it comes to online poker events in Malaysia, the biggest is the Poker Malaysia Championship. Since online poker tournaments and events are illegal, events like the Poker Malaysia Championship are never advertised online.
