When you’re a beginner in online poker, the game can feel impossible to win. Sometimes you play against incredibly aggressive players and they intimidate you to fold your cards in every round.
Sometimes your opponents can mention so many poker jargons that you wonder if you will ever understand the game. We are here to tell you the learning curve for online poker is short.
In fact, you could become a much better player if you follow our online poker beginner tips below. Let’s dive right in.
1. Learn the variants, rules and hands
To win many only poker games, you need to produce the strongest hand on a table. However, depending on the poker variant, winning could mean producing the lowest hand.
What’s more, some online poker games have pot limits and this could influence the maximum you can bet per round. That said, below are the most famous poker variants:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha
- 7-Card Stud
- 5-Card Draw
- Three Stud Poker
- Pai Gow Poker
Learn how each of these games works. You might figure you’re pretty good in 5-Card draw or you could discover you love the rules of Texas Hold’em the most. Besides, learning the rules of poker is crucial in helping you become a better player.
What’s more, you need to specialize in one or two poker variants. Texas Hold’em attracts the best-paying tournaments. It’s also the most popular variant, so it makes sense to master this game. However, you could also learn Omaha or 5-Card Draw to have an alternative where Texas Hold’em is not available.
2. Choose the right online poker site
Far too many online poker newbies choose the wrong poker sites. You can’t blame them really. When you’re a beginner, every casino with poker games looks good. Sadly, that’s rarely the case.
Your ideal poker site depends on your likes, dislikes and goals. Maybe you want a site with plenty of Texas Hold’em tournaments. Perhaps you’re after generous bonuses and rake backs.
In this age of Game-stop, some players prefer to join poker sites, not on gamstop. Why do you ask? For some, it’s about protecting personal privacy. You see, once you self-exclude on one betting gamstop site, the organization ensures every casino linked with gamstop also blocks you.
Gamstop aside, there are plenty of things to consider when choosing a casino. Look at the payment methods, betting limits and fees. Look at the web design, mobile support and traffic to the site.
3. Practice poker through free apps
Being a game of skill, the best way to become a good poker player is to practice a lot. Find free to play poker apps and compete as often as possible. Buy poker cards and play the games whenever you meet up with your friends.
After a few weeks of winning free to play games consistently, enrol in low-stakes poker games. Don’t worry if you lose more often than you win. Focus on honing your skills and learning how better players play.
In many cases, the most profitable players are aggressive. They bluff, leap and go all in constantly when they have strong cards. But they play far fewer hands than their competitors.
Statistically, professionals fold 80-85% of their hands before the flop. They do this after looking at their cards and realizing their chances of winning are low, but when they get strong card combinations, they play to win.
4. Create a budget and staking plan
If you’re like many poker beginners, you plan to start gambling with a small budget. This is smart because it takes time before you become profitable. As such, there’s no need to spend too much money while you’re still on the learning curve.
What’s a good budget for playing poker? The short answer is that it depends. The long answer is that you need to evaluate your income, your expenses and debts before you set a gambling budget.
A good rule of thumb is to spend the amount of money you’re comfortable losing. Picture the amount of money you spend on a good day out. This could be your budget for a weekend you want to spend on poker.
That said, you need both a bankroll and a staking plan. Your bankroll is the overall amount of money in your casino account. Your staking plan determines the amount of money to spend in every game.
5. Take advantage of bonuses
Nowadays, many poker sites have promotions to attract new customers and to encourage loyalty from regular customers. These bonuses are great for minimizing your expenses and for maximizing your profits.
There’s a catch though. Every poker bonus has its rules. You might need to deposit money to earn a bonus. You might also need to play through your bonus amount 2x to 20x.
Owing to that backdrop, not every bonus is worth your attention. You need to be selective with poker promotions. Claim bonuses that can help improve your profits.
A good example is rake backs. This promotion aims to lower the fees you pay to operators while playing. Another great bonus type is cash backs. Here, you receive kickbacks every time you lose money.
6. Invest in learning more about online poker
In the early 2000s, online poker made headlines as a game that anyone could win. This theory was popularized after Chris Money Maker won the 2003 World Series of Poker championship after qualifying through an online platform.
With time, people invested a lot to become better at online poker so much that the game is incredibly competitive. You could win a small tournament at an upcoming casino, but once you get to the national level, you’ll have to be extremely good to win.
In other words, poker favours the most skilled players and in this age when online poker information is easily available, you ought to invest in your knowledge.
Your Turn
Online poker is a fun pastime you can play with friends and family at home. It’s also a casino game with lucrative prizes. If you like the game, learn its rules, choose a casino and hone your skills. The only way to dominate poker is to become the best player at every table you participate.
