Making Money by Playing Online Poker

Every player has the best of intentions. Most set out to make money playing online poker. Most fail, although most will also never tell you. The fact of the matter is that there are winners and losers in every game. Which side of the line you land will largely be down to you. The fact of the matter is that some players win huge sums of money and others don't. Many think that luck alone accounts for this. Players can only run good for so long before a downswing. The skill they possess will not only limit the damage when this happens, but also will maximize the amount they win when they're on the golden run.

More players today have packed in their 9-5 jobs and and are making money at the tables on a full time basis. It's certainly no guarantee. Playing winning poker isn't easy - the reason why so many people fail to make a profit over time. It is safe to say that playing poker online isn't a get rich quick scheme.

For many people around the world, the stock market provides opportunities to make tidy sums. For those that know what they are doing, the rewards are limitless. This shouldn't be the reason to start throwing your money around. I certainly wouldn't advise that you started dabbling in the stock market, at least before you knew what your doing. Don't be swayed by the rewards that playing online can provide. Anyone can play the game. Playing it well and profitably is a different story.

You primary aim has to be to ensure you don't fall into the minority of players that line the pockets of the few. For these players, the rewards are significant. Before you get started, put yourself under the microscope. What kind of person are you? Do you have the patience needed to be successful. Are you determined? Easily get bored or have a bad tempter?

There are many questions which are very appropriate to ask. To play winning poker you will need to be cool under pressure and have a good understanding of the game. You will need to be patient and have a good temperament, especially when things aren't going your way. Winning money can still be fun - a reason why those that really enjoy playing turn the most profits. The same is true for most things we do in life - you wouldn't become a professional tennis player if you didn't really enjoy tennis. Why? Well you wouldn't improve at the same rate as someone who genuinely loved the game. We are always more committed to doing things well when we enjoy what we are doing, and it's important to recognise this.

How do the good online players make money playing poker?

There are many secrets of the online game but sadly these will only take you part of the way. Executing an effective game is far more difficult. There is a lot we can learn from watching players that win online and emulating what they do. For me it's not as simple as merely to copy what other people are doing, although this plays a big part of the learning curve. You can do this by visiting the top online poker sites and watching their top players. Jumping in prematurely won't give you the poker mind that bases decisions on a solid understanding of the game.

Many decisions are very marginal and making the right decisions will determine how successful you are. It certainly helps if you are having fun and can exercise patience and self discipline. If this isn't you, you're barking up the wrong tree and would be better advised saving your cash, as you will lose money. Without patience you will play more hands than you should and ultimately commit money into pots that do not warrant your contribution. Not a winning strategy.

The more you play, the more mileage you will clock and the better adept you will be at making the right decisions in the tough marginal spots. Before long, it will become second nature. You learn what works and what doesn't. You will make mistakes and you learn from them. In time, you can learn the winning ways and develop the instinct to win against the very best. Remember, even a natural will need to practice and improve to compete at the top. Take Tiger Woods - no one would challenge his natural golfing abilities. Does he practice and improve? All the time. He wouldn't be be able to compete at the highest level if he didn't. The fact that he's got the talent to work with only makes the practice worthwhile.

Guides to help you develop that Winning Game

Here are some introductory guides to help you learn the basics and play winning online poker. These guides cover the basics that need to be employed along with some useful information and playing tips.

** These guides are based on Hold'em although many are relevant for most games **

Guide #1 - Texas Holdem Starting Hands

Guide #2 - The Importance of Seat Position

Guide #3 - Reading the Board

Guide #4 - The Art of Bluffing

Guide #5 - The Odds of Making Your Hand

Guide #6 - Pot Odds and Calculation

Guide #7 - Online Poker Secrets

These guides should get you started and are all important if you want to be posting a profit. Mastering these concepts and following the recommended advice is step one. Ultimately it's about learning to make the right decisions, which comes with experience. Understanding when to call, when to raise and more importantly, when to fold. We have a huge amount of other online guides which will help develop your skills.