Play poker at Pokahnights and GGPoker, both live and online!

Poker is more than just another card game; it is an intriguing blend of strategy, psychology, mathematics and luck that captivates millions of people around the world. Moreover, poker was recently officially recognized as a mind sport. From cozy poker clubs to the lightning-fast action of online tables, poker is constantly evolving, offering players from all over the world various mental challenges and maximum fun.
In Belgium, you can't ignore the biggest players in the market. Pokahnights has been a pioneer in club poker for 15 years and is also making moves into casino poker in 2025. Want to play online? Then the biggest platform in the world, GGPoker, is your best choice.
Together they complete the Belgian poker offer. There is a game or tournament for every player, from beginner to pro.

Table of contents

Pokahnights: The leader for live poker in Belgium

Pokahnights has established itself as the reference for live poker in Belgium. With a unique and complete offering, they serve players of all levels, from beginners to more experienced players looking for higher stakes games. What makes Pokahnights so special is the division of their offerings into two clearly defined categories: Club Poker and Casino Poker.

  • Pokahnights Club Poker: Perfect for players seeking the tournament experience with a low deposit and a focus on accessibility and fun. At Club Poker, the focus is on tournaments with a maximum buy-in of €50 and a maximum of one re-entry, as prescribed by the Belgian government. Ideal for players who want to test their skills and experience the excitement of running deep in a tournament, without having to immediately risk large sums of money. It creates a friendly environment where both recreational players and ambitious amateurs feel at home.
    Want to experience it for yourself? Then welcome to Belgium's biggest poker club, located at Boomsesteenweg 440, in 2610 Wilrijk.

  • Pokahnights Casino Poker: For players looking for more action, excitement and the dynamics of cash games or higher buy-in tournaments, Pokahnights offers the ultimate poker experience at Middelkerke Casino. Here you will find cash games of different stakes, providing options for all bankrolls. In addition, tournaments are organized with unlimited buy-ins and re-entries, which can make for very attractive prize pools.

With these two pillars, Pokahnights offers an unprecedented broad spectrum of live poker options, unique in Belgium. Logically, our community has more than 15,000 players. Whether you come for a relaxing tournament with friends or an intense cash game session, at Pokahnights you'll find a suitable offer and a warm welcome.

GGPoker: The undisputed world leader in online Poker

When we talk about world-class online poker, GGPoker is the name that immediately comes to mind. It is currently the largest online poker platform in the world, and this claim is backed by impressive numbers: at any time of the day, there are more than 200,000 players online. This guarantees that you can find a game anytime, anywhere, no matter what stakes or game variety you are looking for. The huge player pool also means bigger tournament prize pools and more action at the cash game tables.

  • Extensive Game Offerings at GGPoker: GGPoker obviously offers the popular variants such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha (both Pot Limit Omaha and the Hi/Lo variant). But their offerings go far beyond that with unique and fast-paced formats:
    • Spin & Gold: Fast-paced 3-max Sit & Go tournaments where the prize pool is randomly determined and can be up to 100,000 times the buy-in. Exciting and potentially very profitable.
    • All-In or Fold (AoF): A super fast format where players have the choice of going all-in or folding on each hand. Available for both Hold'em (8 hands) and Omaha (16 hands) with a limited number of starting chips. Perfect for those who like fast action.
    • Rush & Cash: GGPoker's version of "fast-fold" poker. As soon as you fold, you are immediately taken to a new table with new cards and new opponents. This eliminates waiting time and maximizes the number of hands per hour. Cash drops can fall randomly on the table, adding extra excitement.
    • Short Deck: Also known as Six Plus Hold'em, where all cards from 2 through 5 are removed from the deck. This significantly changes hand values (a flush beats a full house) and strategy, making for more action.
    • Flip & Go: A tournament format where the first hand is an "all-in shoot-out," regardless of your cards. Once you survive that hand, you are immediately in the money and the "normal" part of the tournament starts. Provides a quick path to the paid seats.
    • Daily Tournaments and Major Series: GGPoker hosts hundreds of daily tournaments with a variety of buy-ins and formats, including large guaranteed prize pools. They also regularly host world-renowned online tournament series such as the WSOP Online and their own signature festivals.

  • Innovative Software and Functionalities: Besides the wide range of games on offer, GGPoker's software is a major reason for their success. They constantly innovate and add features that enhance the player experience:
    • Smart HUD: A built-in HUD that displays essential statistics of opponents without the need for external software.
    • PokerCraft: A personal tracking tool that allows players to analyze their results, see how they play against different hand types, and track their wins and losses.
    • Staking Platform: Players can "stake" other players (fund part of their buy-in in exchange for a percentage of the winnings) or stake themselves within the software.
    • SnapCam & Emojis: Fun social features that allow players to record short video messages or use funny emojis at the tables.
    • Run It Three Times (RITT): In all-in situations, players can agree to split the remaining board three times, which can reduce variance (fluctuations in results).
    • Final Table Features: Improved display and functionalities specific to the final table of tournaments, such as deal-making options and a shot clock.
    • GGCare & GGCheers: Programs that reward players on bad beats (improbable losses) and big pots won, creating a more positive player experience.
    • Daily Freebies: Daily free rewards, such as tournament tickets or bonuses, simply for logging in.

All these features, the huge player base and diverse offerings make GGPoker the absolute leader in the online poker world.

The Perfect Synergy: Pokah Online - A Collaboration Between Live and Online

In a unique and successful partnership, Pokahnights and GGPoker have joined forces to combine the best of both worlds: the accessibility and community focus of Pokahnights Club Poker with the convenience and technology of GGPoker. This led to the introduction of Pokah Online.

Pokah Online allows players to live the familiar Club Poker experience online. Every Monday night, Pokah Online hosts tournaments on the GGPoker platform that mimic the structure and buy-ins of Pokahnights Club Poker tournaments. This means tournaments with limited buy-ins and a maximum of 1 re-entry, just like in the physical Pokahnights club. This is a great way for players to participate in tournaments from home in the familiar atmosphere and with the rules of the Pokahnights community.

As icing on the cake, Pokahnights and GGPoker host a major POPS festival once a quarter as part of Pokah Online. This is a multi-day, usually week-long online tournament festival featuring a series of special tournaments, often with increased guaranteed prize pools and various formats. The POPS festival is a highlight of the online poker calendar for the Pokahnights community and beyond, offering additional excitement and greater chances to win within the Pokah Online ecosystem.

Online vs live poker, each with its own character

Live Poker: The Undeniable Atmosphere and Psychology

Live poker, played at a physical table with real cards and chips, offers an experience unmatched by many purists. The social aspect, the tactile chips, the sound of the cards and the ability to look your opponents directly in the eye create a unique atmosphere.

A crucial part of live poker is being able to pick up on "tells" - unconscious physical or verbal signals that an opponent is giving away about the strength of his hand. A nervous tic, a change in breathing, the way someone stacks their chips or holds their cards; all of these subtle behaviors can provide valuable information to an observant player. Table talk also plays a role, which can be used to gain information or deceive opponents.

Live poker requires patience, as the game is slower than online. There is more time to think between hands, but also more time to be distracted. Interacting with fellow players and dealers adds a social dimension that online poker, despite chats and emojis, has difficulty replicating. Winning a big pot live, seeing the chips being shoved at you and the reactions of others, creates a different rush than winning on a computer screen.

Online Poker: Convenience, Accessibility and Huge Supply

Where live poker excels in atmosphere and personal interaction, online poker offers unparalleled convenience, accessibility and a dizzying array of offerings. With online poker, you can literally play anywhere, anytime, as long as you have an Internet connection. This opens doors to a world of games available 24/7, from micro-stakes tables for beginners on a small budget to high-stakes games where thousands of dollars are wagered per hand.

The speed of online poker is significantly faster than live. Hands are dealt much faster and it is possible to play multiple tables simultaneously (multi-tabling), which can potentially increase the hourly win rate. Online platforms also offer a wide range of game variations that you won't always find in every live card room.

Another great advantage of online poker is the wealth of data and tools available. Players can take advantage of software such as tracking programs and Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) that collect and display statistics on opponents, helping them make decisions. While this requires a different skill set than picking up live tells, it adds an in-depth analytical layer to the game.

The Main Differences Highlighted

In addition to the structural differences between tournaments and cash games, there are fundamental differences in the experience and strategic approach between online and live poker. Understanding these differences is crucial to success in both variants.

Speed and Volume: Online poker is exponentially faster. Hands are dealt mechanically, pots are calculated instantly and you can play at multiple tables simultaneously. This means you can play many more hands per hour online, which can be beneficial for experienced players who want to leverage their edge over a larger volume. Live poker is slower, which allows more time for reflection and observation.

Information and Reads: In live poker, "tells" (physical and verbal signals) are an important source of information. You observe how opponents react, talk, breathe, handle their chips, etc. Online, these physical tells are absent. Instead, you rely on betting patterns, timing tells, and, if you use software, statistics (such as VPIP - Voluntarily Put Money In Pot, PFR - Preflop Raise, 3Bet%, CBet%, etc.) collected over hundreds or thousands of hands. This requires a different set of observational and analytical skills.

Distraction and Focus: Online poker offers the comfort of playing where you want, but can also lead to more distractions (Internet, other screens, etc.). Multi-tabling requires a high degree of concentration and discipline. Live poker forces you to be more focused on the one table you are playing at, although social interaction can also be a form of distraction.

Bankroll Management: While bankroll management is crucial in both, online poker often requires stricter discipline, especially when multi-tabling and accessing many different stakes. The quick action and ability to easily top up can encourage impulsive decisions. Live poker usually involves larger sessions (less flexible entry and exit), which requires a different approach to risk and capital management.

Social Interaction: Live poker is inherently social. You sit at a table with other people, talk to the dealer, and can have conversations (within etiquette). Online poker is more anonymous, although chat features and features like SnapCam try to add a social component. The community experience, like that at Pokahnights, is a strength of live poker.

Game offerings and Stakes: Online platforms such as GGPoker offer an unprecedentedly wide range of game variants, tournament formats and stakes, from pennies to thousands of dollars, available 24/7. Live offerings tend to be more limited to the most popular variants and stakes currently offered at a specific location.

Cost and Convenience: Playing online is extremely easy; you log in and get started. The "rake" (commission) and tournament fees can vary between platforms and live venues. Playing live involves travel expenses and possible tips for dealers.

Both forms have their charms and challenges. Many successful poker players master both live and online forms of play and adapt their strategy to the environment. The choice between live and online often depends on personal preference, goals (fun vs. profit), available time and learning speed.

Poker Tournaments vs. Cash Games

Now that we have delved into where to play and what the difference is between online and live poker, it is essential to understand the two main formats of poker: tournaments and cash games. Although they share the same rules of play (usually Texas Hold'em, the most popular variant), the structure, strategy and dynamics differ significantly.

  • Poker tournaments: In a poker tournament, all participants pay a set "buy-in" amount to start. This amount contributes to the total prize pool. Each player starts with an equal stack of chips, but these chips do not represent a direct cash value. The goal is to win all of your opponents' chips and be the last player left. The blinds (mandatory bets that rotate per round) increase each level, making the game more compelling and the chips circulate faster. When a player loses all his chips, he is eliminated (eliminated) unless re-entries are allowed. Prizes are distributed to the players who stay in the tournament the longest, usually a percentage of the total field of participants (e.g., the top 10-15%). The winner gets most of the prize pool.

    • Features: Fixed buy-in, rising blinds, chips with no direct cash value, elimination, prize pool distribution, focus on survival and chip accumulation.
    • Strategy: More focused on survival, bluffing in specific situations, navigating through different stages (early, middle, late, bubble, final table), and managing a fluctuating stack relative to the blinds.

  • Cash Games: In cash games, also called ring games, the chips do represent direct cash value (for example, 1 euro per chip). Players can join a table by paying a certain minimum buy-in and, depending on the rules, can buy additional chips if they lose their stack (re-buys) or increase their stack (add-ons, although less common than in tournaments). Blinds are constant and do not change over time. Players can decide at any time to leave the table ("sit out" or "cash out") and exchange their chips for cash. There is no fixed end time or elimination structure as in tournaments; play continues as long as there are enough players.

    • Features: Flexible buy-in, constant blinds, chips with instant cash value, get in and out at any time, focus on profit per hand and hour.
    • Strategy: More focused on maximizing profits in *individual hands, finding favorable situations (edge), bankroll management is crucial because you can bet deeper, and exploiting opponents over a longer period of time.

The main difference lies in momentum and risk. Tournaments require patience and the ability to survive, with an "all or nothing" element as you progress. Cash games offer more flexibility and the ability to end profitable sessions whenever you want, but also require strict bankroll management to avoid large losses. However, both formats require deep strategic insight and psychological skills.

Poker: More Than Just Cards

What makes poker, in all its variations, such an enduring and fascinating pastime? It is the depth of the game, which goes far beyond receiving good cards. Poker is a constant lesson in:

  • Strategy: It requires the ability to make complex decisions based on incomplete information, taking into account probability, pot odds, stack sizes, table position and opponents.
  • Psychology: Reading opponents (live tells or online patterns), controlling your own emotions (tilt control), and strategically using bluffs and value bets are essential psychological skills.
  • Math: Basic probability (odds and outs) and pot odds are fundamental to making profitable decisions.
  • Adaptability: Successful poker players can adapt their strategy to different opponents, game situations and formats (tournament vs. cash game, live vs. online).
  • Patience and Discipline: Not every hand is playable. Waiting for favorable situations and following your plan even after setbacks is crucial.

Poker is a game where skill overcomes luck in the long run. Although each individual hand can be affected by luck, a better player will be more profitable in the long run. This element of skill combined with the unpredictability of the cards creates a unique blend of excitement, challenge and intellectual satisfaction.

Your poker journey begins at Pokahnights and GGPoker.

Whether you prefer the social and psychological depth of live poker or the convenience, speed and vast array of online play, the world of poker has an incredible amount to offer. Understanding the differences between tournaments and cash games is the first step, followed by choosing the platform that best suits your playing style and preferences.

For the ultimate live poker experience in Belgium, Pokahnights offers a unique and complete offering, with Club Poker for accessible tournaments and Casino Poker for cash games and higher stakes tournaments. With a thriving community of more than 15,000 players, Pokahnights is more than just another poker room; it is the epicenter for poker enthusiasts.

When it comes to online poker, GGPoker is the undisputed world leader, with an unprecedented number of players, immense and innovative game offerings, and cutting-edge software that takes the online poker experience to a new level.

In short, whether you're a beginner taking your first steps or an experienced player seeking new challenges, you'll find the best offerings for both live and online poker at Pokahnights and GGPoker. Dive into the fascinating world of Poker, develop your skills and enjoy the game that continues to captivate millions. Your poker journey starts here!