Online poker takes the familiar notion of playing cards for real money and cranks it up a notch. Now players can play for anything from free to satellite entries into the most amazing live tournaments in the world. And they can do it from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.
Getting started with online poker is relatively straightforward. First you’ll need to sign up with a poker site. This will require your name, address, email address and phone number as well as creating a username and password. Once that is complete you’ll need to deposit funds into your account. This can be done through a variety of methods and may involve age verification checks.
Once you’re ready to play you’ll be taken to a poker lobby which will be categorized by cash games, tournaments and Sit & Go’s. Most sites also offer beginner tables which are a great way to level the playing field for newcomers who might still be getting used to the pace of online poker.
Another advantage of online poker is the ability to play multiple tables at once. This can be particularly helpful for players who want to increase their earnings as quickly as possible and often leads to better opponents. Those who choose to use an online poker HUD such as PokerSnowie can benefit from its GTO (game theory optimal) approach when making decisions at the table.
The rules of online poker are generally the same as those for offline poker but there are a few differences. One is that there is no need to read physical ‘tells’ because your opponent’s betting tendencies are clearly visible on the screen of your computer. However, if you’re serious about online poker you should be constantly improving your game by studying up on strategy and by working with a coach.
There are a number of excellent resources for learning about poker and a plethora of books worth reading. The online poker landscape has changed dramatically since the ‘Moneymaker boom’ in 2004 and there is now a huge range of poker forums to join, a multitude of software packages and an infinite amount of information available to learn from. The best part is that all of this can be done from the comfort of your own home. Regardless of your current skill level or where you live there is no excuse not to get involved with online poker today. Just remember to take things slowly, set limits for your sessions and don’t wager more than you can afford to lose. Good luck!