Posts Tagged ‘poker online’

Tips for Free Poker Players

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

A lot of people enjoy playing free poker just for fun. However, for me one of the best things about playing poker for free is that it’s a great opportunity to practice and improve without spending money. If you are looking to improve your poker skills by playing a free game of poker online then the following tips should help you make the most of your experience.

One of the biggest mistakes players make when practicing with a free poker game is taking advantage of the fun money bankroll. When you have an unlimited bankroll you may think you should play like a high roller and bet the max on every hand. In actuality, if you are practicing to play with your own money then you should play exactly as you will when your actual bankroll is on the line. Set limits for yourself, practice your money management skills and know when to stop and walk away. Choose a free game with similar limits to those you would play at if you were playing with your own money.

Additionally, since you are playing for free why not try out a variety of different poker games? You can try Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Caribbean Stud, 5 Card Draw or any other poker games you haven’t played before. When you play for free you have the unique opportunity to try things out and who knows? Maybe there’s a poker game out there for you that you never even knew existed!

Why You Should Invest Your Time in Free Poker Online

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

In the world of online poker one of the biggest perks is the opportunity to play free poker games. When you play free poker online you have the amazing chance to practice and improve your skills without having to spend a dime.

When I first started playing poker online I made the mistake of jumping right in to the real money games. From my experience I can tell you that you should always play free games first. When you are first starting out playing poker online you not only have to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game, if you don’t know them already, but also with the software interface and the rhythm of online poker game play. Playing for free gives you the opportunity not only to learn and practice the rules of different poker variations but also to improve your strategy so that you can prepare yourself for real money gaming.

Where can you play free poker games online? Virtually every online poker website allows free gaming as well as real money poker games. You simply have to download the site’s poker software and choose the free game option. There are also sites that allow free instant Flash poker games where you can practice without having to download any software or provide any information at all.

The best advice I can give to any new online poker player is to start out with a free game. Practice, improve your skills and when you are ready you can win big playing real money poker games.

How to Choose a Poker Table Online

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

One of the most frequently overlooked factors about playing poker online is deciding which table you will play at. Contrary to popular belief, not all poker tables are created equal. Once you’ve determined which poker variation you want to play and the stakes you want to play at you still may have your pick of 20 or more different tables you can join. So how do you decide which is the “right” table?

The list of tables in the poker lobby at most poker sites gives you specific details about each table. You can usually find out how many players have been at each table, how long the table has been filled, the size of the players’ stacks at each table, average pot size, the percentage of players seeing the flop and more.

As a rule of thumb, a table at which most players have small stacks and at which a large majority of players are seeing the flop will have more non-skilled players than a table with huge stacks. You’ll want to choose this table. If you are looking for a table of aggressive players then choose one with a large average pot size. However, be prepared for a challenge! If you are a great heads up player then try starting your own game. As soon as one more player joins you you’ll have the opportunity to show off your heads up skills.

Remember as well that you can usually enter a room and watch before you sit down to play. Size up the competition and decide whether or not this is the table for you.

Tips for Building Your Poker Bankroll

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

If you are playing poker online for real money, one of the most important things is your poker bankroll. You need money to play the game and you don’t want to wind up in a constant cycle of depositing money, losing it all, depositing more and losing it all again and again. The following tips can help you build your bankroll and keep from running it right back into the ground.

For starters, you’ll want to start building your bankroll in your every day life before you start to play poker for real money. Put aside a little bit every week and once you have a good amount start using it to play poker. Keep in mind that your poker money will be used only to play poker and that you will never break into your non-poker bank account to play poker. If you want to avoid big losses it’s important to keep your poker money separate from the rest of your money.

When you are playing real money games it is important to choose betting limits that match your bankroll. If you play at a high limit table with a tiny bankroll it will be gone before you know it. As a rule of thumb, play at limits that you could afford at least 200 big blinds in. When it comes to tournaments, never enter a tournament with a buy-in that is more than 1% of your bankroll.

If you stick to these simple tips you can build a strong poker bankroll and hold on to it.

Making Bluffing Work for you Online

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

A lot of inexperienced poker players think that the strategy of bluffing doesn’t apply when you are playing poker online. After all, when you play on the Web the other players can’t see you so what good does your poker face do you? I’ll admit that I once shared this belief. However, it turns out that there are a few tips and strategies that can help you make bluffing work for you when you play poker online.

You are right that your poker face won’t help you when you play online. However, you can still do a lot by bluffing through your betting patterns. For instance, if you simply call or check on a pair of Aces your opponents will have no idea that you have a good hand. On the other hand, raising on a hand that is only so-so will give your opponents reason to believe that your hand is much better than it is.

By sitting in a late position at the table you can increase the credibility of your bluff. You can also see what the other players are doing first in order to give yourself more information to go on. If the players before you all call then by making a big raise you could get them all to fold.

When it comes to bluffing in online poker, keep in mind that you can’t make it a habit. If you always bluff then you’ll give yourself away. However, if you leave your regular betting habits once in awhile you can use bluffing to your advantage.