Online Poker - Starting out

Online poker started in the late 90s and has now virtually exploded due to extensive media coverage and aggressive marketing. The World Poker Tour has brought the game into our living rooms and we get to see how the professionals play their hands. Sometimes online qualifiers end up at the final table which makes us believe that anyone can make it - after all,  all you need is 'a chip and a chair'.

Lets take a look at some key differences that you will face playing online Vs a casino or live poker room:

- Always available - the action is only a couple of clicks away online, 24/7.

- Multiple table option - you can play many tables at one.

- No tipping the dealer - not that we grudge it but we all know what pennies make.

- Lower rake - this does vary but generally this is lower online.

- No dress code/ no drunk players - want to play poker in your pants? No problem..

Online Poker Preparation 

Poker is a game of skill , good judgment and patience. Before you start playing, I suggest that you read some of the strategy guides available online, understand starting hands and position, learn the poker terms (see our poker glossary of terms) and read about common beginner mistakes.

BankRoll playing Online Poker

Never bet money you cannot afford to lose. Don't ponder this one. It's a rule and one that will keep you out of trouble. There are many freerolls available, play them to get used to the poker client. It takes time to play a freeroll - if you don't have the patience you are going to struggle (see our guide on reasons to play poker)? If you have money to spend (and that's not the aim here), try to get off to a head start and get the best sign-up bonus you can find. By using these bonuses you will get for example an extra 20% added to your poker account at first deposit. In general, the more you play the more free cash you earn. Please see our poker bonus comparisons to see the best deals.

Which Poker Game to Choose Online 

There are several versions of poker: Omaha, 7 card Stud, Texas Holdem, 5 Card Stud and many more - compare all online poker games by poker rooms. If you are looking for rules to a particular game visit our poker rules and variants section. What ever game you choose to start with, play limit and do not start with no limit. This will emphasize the importance and value of your starting hands. Limit Holdem might be the easiest game to start with. As you gain experience and confidence you can try your hand at pot limit or no limit games. By learning more than just one game, your overall poker knowledge will increase rapidly.

Keeping Track of Your Opponents

Many poker clients have the option to put a note on your opponents at the table. Use this feature and take note of the good players as this will keep you away from them in the future (there are enough bad players to keep things profitable:) Similarly you should record betting patters and anything else that you notice about a particular player, after all, it's all information and information that might prove useful. It might be that whenever you check post flop he/she nearly always bet at the pot. Even stronger might be that you caught him/her bluffing at the pot pre flop or post flop. These are all traits and can help you if you come up against them again.

Summary

Remember that it takes time to master any game. Try to learn something from every game you play. A combination of reading books by better players and putting in the time will get you a step closer to become a winning poker player.

See our Guide to making money playing online poker which has some more useful guides.