How to Play Online Poker
Online poker is an incredible game that can be played by anyone with a computer and an internet connection. From playing for pennies to playing for satellite entries into the world’s most amazing live poker tournaments there is something for everyone. Whether you are just looking to play for fun or are serious about improving your game, there is no other game that can offer so much opportunity.
First things first, you’ll need to find an online poker site that meets your needs. Make sure that it offers your favorite banking methods, is mobile friendly and has software that works well on your device. Once you’ve found a good site it’s time to start playing!
Most poker sites will have a lobby that is categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s. There are also usually options for free play money and special format games like Spin & Go’s or Jackpot Poker. To get started you’ll need to create a player account which generally only takes a few minutes. Then it’s time to play some poker!
As you play more and more poker it is important to focus on your decisions and to take regular breaks. This will help you to maintain your concentration level and can even help prevent tilting. It is also a good idea to stick to one type of poker (no limit hold’em, pot limit omaha or triple draw 2-7 lowball) and to master it before moving on to other variations.
Compared to live poker, online poker has a higher variance and it is not uncommon for seasoned players to go on 20, 30 or even 50 buy-in downswings. This is why it is important to set bankroll goals and stick to them. Also, remember that you will have bad days, but don’t take them personally. If you run a few hundred dollars down, just move down the stakes for a bit and grind it back up. This is how winners think and it will help you to build a winning poker career!
Tight aggressive players, or TAGs as they are sometimes called, are the most common player type in the game. TAG players are very tight when they don’t have a hand and then ultra-aggressive when they do have a strong one. This makes them the toughest opponents to beat.
The other main player types in online poker are loose passive players, or LPRs. They will call any bet made and often bluff as well. This is a very difficult player type to beat as they have no obvious tells and it is very hard to read their actions. However, if you are able to figure out their betting patterns and learn how to read their raises, it is possible to play against them and win. Fortunately, there are many books and blogs on this subject that can teach you how to do this. There are also tools available that will give you a statistical analysis of an opponent’s tendencies and habits which can be very useful in this area.