Tips for Playing Poker Online

Due to the increasing popularity of poker, there are several websites where you can play poker over the Internet. Some of them are free and you play just for fun, such as Yahoo, others require real money stakes, like PartyPoker.com or PokerStars.com. Most of the sites that require you to ante up hard money also give you an introductory period to experiment with play money.

If you are interested in playing online poker, there are things you should know to enhance your gaming experience. This article provides tips for safely playing online poker.

Tip #1: Deal with reputable companies. You don’t want to broadcast your personal and financial information to just anyone. If you play on well-established and respected sites, you’ll be much less vulnerable to identity theft, credit card fraud, Trojan horses and spyware.

Tip# 2: Know the rules of the game. There are several types of poker available for you to play, from the popular game Texas Hold ‘Em to the more traditional Seven Card Stud. Although it’s practically impossible to make a technical mistake while playing online (the computer will prompt you and even tell you betting limits), it’s extremely easy to make some huge financial mistakes unless you truly understand the game. Excellent places to get started include Online Poker Rules (www.online-poker-rules.net) and PokerTips.org (www.pokertips.org). If you’re new to a game, experiment a little with play money before placing a real bet.

Tip# 3: Pay attention to table manners. If you’re not sure what’s acceptable and what isn’t, follow the lead of others at the table. Some games are fairly social and involve a lot of chatting between players. Other players in higher stake games prefer to focus only on the cards. Some tables congratulate a player after a winning hand, others don’t. There’s also a lot of variation on how much griping is allowable after a losing hand. It’s always best to avoid using profanity or insulting another player.

Tip# 4: Unless you’re playing a high-limit or no-limit game, leave the bluffing to the pros. Bluffing-pretending to have a better hand than you actually do-just doesn’t work as well when the pot-amount of money to be won-is small. Most players with a decent or a good hand are perfectly willing to risk a few dollars to force you to a showdown.

Tip# 5: Always gamble with disposable income. Disposable income is money you can afford to lose. If you find yourself gambling with the rent money or the grocery money, you may be developing a gambling problem and it is time to seek professional help.

Tip# 6: Trust strategy, mathematics, and logic rather than luck. A good poker player is always calculating the odds. A lot of amateurs talk about “playing with their gut” but very few professionals do.

Tip# 7: Don’t play every hand. You’ve just gone to all the trouble to create an account and reserve a space at an online table. You start off and are dealt a three and a five, off suit (off suit means of two different suits). Should you play? Your instinct might be to hang in at least until the flop. After all you might get lucky-watch out for that word-and hit a straight. The best thing to do, however, is to muck this hand. The odds are not in your favor that this hand will win you any money. Wait for a decent hand and when it comes, play it aggressively.

Tip# 8: Finally, don’t let a bad hand or an obnoxious player at the virtual table ruin your day. Losses happen. Creeps happen. It’s only a game. Play as long as you’re having a good time and simply leave the table when you’re no longer having fun.