Poker has always been a game of skill and the top players spend as much time studying their opponents and the game itself as they do playing. It’s a demanding game that requires discipline, perseverance, and razor sharp focus. It’s also a game that demands that you choose your games carefully and play at stakes within your comfort zone. Whether it’s cash games, tournaments, or sit and go’s there are plenty of ways to play poker online.
When you’re logged in to an online poker site there is generally a lobby that allows you to select which type of game you’d like to play. You’ll find it categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments, Sit and Go’s, and Special Format Games. The Tournaments section in particular will be loaded with events and it’s often better to filter this list for “Recent” or even “Live” tourneys as these will typically have a lower minimum buy-in.
If you’re new to the game there are generally several “beginner” tables where you can be seated with other players who classify themselves as such. This can dramatically level the playing field for new players and make it easier to concentrate on the game at hand. It’s also a great idea to learn the rules of online poker before jumping in and playing with real money.
Online poker is a fast paced game. Shuffling and dealing can take up to a third of your time at the table and online poker sidesteps this problem with games that move along quickly. Many of the best sites also offer features such as multi-tabling and fast-fold games which allow you to play far more hands per hour.
One of the biggest challenges for beginners is learning to adjust to the speed of online poker. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of buttons, the clock ticking down in 30 seconds, and the fast pace of the action. Taking your time and thinking about the hands you hold can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Bluffing is a huge part of the game and it’s important to understand how to do it correctly when you play online. In live poker you can see your opponent and pick up on nuances such as body language, chatter, or the way they raise their bets but online this is not possible. The key is to learn how to use the betting history of your opponent and their bluffing tendencies to predict their actions.
When you’re new to the game it’s a good idea to stick with your home game or try out a few local casinos before trying to play on the bigger online platforms. You want to be sure that the sites are safe and secure and you’re comfortable giving your personal details over to strangers. Using an e-wallet is usually the safest option but if that’s not an option you can always use a money transfer service such as Western Union or MoneyGram.