Online poker, often called Internet Poker, is playing the game of poker but instead of in person with real cards you play online via the Internet.
How is online poker different to playing in person?
In essence the rules of the game are the same for online and in person poker. However the online version offers many benefits over playing in person.
The biggest difference has to be the speed and convenience of the game play. Where in person games take at least several hours depending upon the number of players, online games are dealt instantly.
Another difference is the cost of the game. Where in person games can cost as little as a penny, online games have a cost ranging between several dollars and tens of dollars. Also, the amount of payout is usually lower which means you can win quite a bit for your money.
However there are a number of other cost associated with online poker. The most obvious being the rake, which is the way the online poker site takes a small amount of money from each hand for playing hands. The rate of this rake is usually five percent. There is another cost associated with online poker games and that is credit card processing. Many online poker sites use the credit card processing companies like Neteller, for example, to help process your credit card deposits and withdrawals. At these sites the fees are sometimes well above the amount charged by the poker sites. But, there are, if you look around, some very inexpensive poker sites that will operate on shoestring budgets.
One of the benefits of online poker is that the online poker gaming experience is not interrupted by the need to wait for cards. Where in person games are often interrupted by other activities that take longer than the online poker game. In addition, the speed of the game is much faster where in person games are often a lot less speedy than the online version.
One of the downsides to online poker games however, is that player’s are not able to read their own cards or know whether the opponent they are playing is bluffing or if they actually have a better hand than their opponent.
Keeping these things in mind, I will hazard a guess that you will have a better time playing online poker than you will playing in person games.
More secure and anonymous
It is usually anonymous online and it is very hard to friends or family to track what you are doing. Where in person games are known to have players who are able to monitor the activity or are tracking of the betting styles and patterns. Online poker is not able to be monitored which adds another advantage to playing online.
In addition online games can be played at any time of the day, at the number of locations available online, so you can play at the office without worry about making a deposits.
Plan your playing
While in person games require a great deal of self discipline. The player has to try to read their opponents, read the room and adjust to the situation. Online the playing situation is much less pressured. Especially if you are trying to improve your skills it is important to take the time to study and practice. Online poker is also a great way to do this. Take the time to learn your opponents playing styles even though it may be in a different culture or country, since players are from all over the world.
The advantage of online poker games is that the players have the option to play for free games as many times as they want to. This in itself vives a learning curve and playing skill.
Table selection.
It’s very important to choose good online poker table. The number of players determines the skill level of the players at the table. In addition, in online poker rooms a player can choose his/her own seat.
It’s common to see 25 to even 50 different player at a table. Good players and experienced ones dominate the table. You want to find a table with good players because you are investing in games and to win. In addition you want to play against players of the similar skill levels because you want to get the same level of money return as in a live game.
Once you have selected an advantageous table you want to start playing the game. Effective money management is the key to winning at poker, whether it is Texas hold em poker, gin rummy games, Omaha Hi or Omaha Hi Lo. If you are new to the game see the links below for other poker winning strategies.