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When getting started with online poker, the game often feels impossible to crack. At times, you will have to face very aggressive players, and this might intimidate you to the point of folding your cards in each round.
At other times, your opponents can bombard you with too much poker jargon that you end up confused and questioning your understanding of the game. Fortunately, this article will help you realize that the learning curve for online poker is pretty short.
You can become a great player if you just implement some of the tricks and tips discussed in the sections that follow.
Pick the Right Poker Site
Your success as an online poker player will also depend on the online casino or poker site that you sign up with. Most newbies fail because they end up choosing the wrong site. For a starter, every casino site looks good, but that’s not always the case -sadly.
The most ideal poker site for you will depend on your unique likes, dislikes, objectives, and a host of other factors. For example, if you want to participate in Texas Hold’em tournaments, then you must pick a site that offers such tournaments.
A good example is GG Poker. It is one of the biggest poker sites in the world. As a result, it is constantly holding poker tournaments for all major poker games, Texas Hold’em included.
Should you try out the site? Read this GG online poker review to learn more about the site before you make a decision. Look at its software, traffic, games and reputation.
You must also look at factors such as licensing, regulation, safety & security, payment options, customer support, mobile-friendliness, user interface, and terms & conditions.
Learn the Rules, Hands, and Online Poker Variants
To win most virtual poker games, you will need to have the strongest hand, but there are variants that you can comfortably win with the lowest hand. You should also understand that some variants come with pot limits, which might influence the maximum you can wager in each round.
The most popular online poker variants include Omaha, Texas Hold’em, 5-Card Draw, 7-Card Stud, Pai Gow Poker, and Three Stud Poker. Take your time to learn how each of these games works.
You might end up discovering that you are pretty great at Texas Hold’em than other variants, or that the rules in 5-Card Draw work best for you. Learning the different rules is also critical in playing professional virtual poker.
It would also help if you specialized in just one of two variants.
Practice Using Free-To-Play Poker Apps and Sites
Since poker is a game of skill, it goes without saying that you must learn and practice a lot to master the game. The best place to practice your online poker skills is by using a free-to-play poker platform.
You can also choose to buy poker cards and practice different strategies while playing with friends and family. Following a few weeks of practicing with free-to-play games, create a real-money casino account and get started with low-stake games.
Do not worry if you end up losing more than you win as a starter – it’s all part of the process. Instead, focus on honing your skills and mastering strategies and best practices. The most successful online poker players are aggressive, bluff a ton, and take huge leaps of faith when they have strong hands. However, these players play fewer hands than most.
Surprisingly, statistics show that professional online poker players fold 80% of their hands before the flop. This happens when a player checks their cards and realizes that their chances of winning are low. But they will always go for the win whenever they got strong card combinations.
Create a Budget and Stick to the Plan
Most beginners start out with a small budget, which is a smart move considering that it takes time before one can become consistently profitable. It makes sense not to spend too much when you are still learning.
But what makes up a good online poker budget? Well, the short answer to that is that it depends. The long answer is that you will have to evaluate your net income, expenses, and saving goals before setting a gambling budget.
As a rule of thumb, you should only gamble what you can afford to lose. Most players prefer pulling their gambling budget from their overall entertainment budget. Once you have budgeted for your online poker games, it is time to create a bankroll management plan.
Which game variants will you play? How much will you stake per game? Low-stake or high-stake games? Answer each of these questions and then stick to the plan.
Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
Due to the rising number of online casinos and poker sites, the market has gotten very competitive and operators are out to lure new players with generous bonuses and promos. Bonuses offer an opportunity for one to minimize expenses and maximize profits.
However, you should know that most bonuses come with stringent bonus rules. These rules vary from casino to casino, and you can find them on the site’s terms and conditions page. Owing to this fact, not every bonus offer is worth claiming.
You will have to be very selective with the bonuses and promotions, and only redeem those that can help boost your profits.
Beware of Your Table Position
Understanding how your position on the table affects your success is an important aspect of any poker strategy. In an opening position, where you are first to play, you might have to face a raise or re-raise.
In a late position, on the other hand, you will have a chance to gather more information on other players’ gameplay.
You can never undermine or underestimate your position at a poker table. It will help inform the range of hands you will have to raise and call. It can also dictate how aggressive you should be post or pre-flop.
For instance, you should raise 4-4 to 8-8 in a late position when there have been no raises. However, in an early position, such hands are just calls. The closer you are to the small blind, the more cautious you should be.
Master the Art of Bluffing
The best players are always winning because they have mastered the art of bluffing. Learning how to bluff is a great strategy for forcing players to fold. A simple bluff can make even the best player fold.
