It has been said countless times in the past, but no matter age, gender, or demeanor, anyone can enjoy the card game that is poker. The traditional card name has dominated the gambling scene for hundreds of years, to the point that there are now over 100 million players partaking in the game across the globe, with its popularity growing on a near daily basis, it seems that more people than ever are picking up the cards. What makes the game so appealing on the surface is the fact that is that poker online (along with land-based poker) is budget friendly, easily accessible, and relentlessly competitive.
Online poker really has taken the traditional game and cranked it up a notch; to the point where players can play the cards from anywhere that they wish. However, as with any other form of gambling these days, it does take on a certain learning curve to adapt to the world of online poker. Giving you a leg up when it comes to trying to play poker online, the following information is certainly worth committing to memory.
Online Poker History
Before you can embrace online poker for all that it has to offer, it is worth taking the time to look at what has brought online poker to the fore. For hundreds of years poker existed (under various different names and guises) as simply a land-based game, which was often a feature of casinos and smoke filled bars. However, as time progressed the game would be given a digital overlay, with the 2000s and the Internet the game would take on brand new meaning. Through advancements in technologies legitimate and secure online poker sites would be launched throughout Europe. Adding to that, in 2003, for the first time ever an online poker player (aptly named Chris Moneymaker) would qualify and subsequently win the World Series of Poker.
Giving online poker a true stamp of legitimacy, this would showcase the game to the world, with it coming on leaps and bounds since. Now showcased on global television channels such as ESPN, online poker now represents borderline sport, healthy competition, and something that remains effortlessly approachable.
Ways to Play of Online Poker
Online poker, in order to reach the heights it has, has grown and diversified tremendously over the years. Nowadays the games comes in various different playing formats that fall in alongside the standard, base-level games, which the following details:
Tournament Play
Should you choose to take your skills into an online poker real money tournament you will need to pay a “buy-in” fee in order to gain access to a stack of chips. When in the midst of a tournament the goal is to go from game to game and table to table, playing until the winner of an individual round of play is declared. A player exits the tournament when they are out of chips or are ejected for reasons unrelated to chip balance. Tournaments have become increasingly popular in the world of poker online for a number of different reasons. For starters, events like the World Poker Tour, the European Poker Tour, the World Series of Poker have really put focus upon tournament based play. Another factor that makes them so appealing is the fact that you can theoretically play your way into a big prize, even under online poker free circumstances at times. For example, a £10 buy in could lead a £200,000 jackpot. Finally, online poker tournaments are everywhere these days, meaning that you be up and playing against others in a matter of mere moments.
Sit & Go
Sit & Go is a twist on the online poker tournament concept, as it embodies many of the same ideals just on a much smaller scale. While a main online poker tournament features numerous tables, possibly spread across a number of days, Sit & Go tournaments usually feature just a single table. New Sit & Go start an end in double time and prioritise quick and snappy gameplay. It should be noted that total prize pots for Sit & Go games are often much smaller than fully-fledged online poker tournaments, while free online poker Sit & Go games are not uncommon.
Ring Games
If you really want to kick things old school and experience poker how it used to be played, you can look to play in a Ring Game. Ring Games attributes legitimate cash to the chips you have, meaning that it is often a form of online poker that is favored by players that have large sums of liquid funds. What most players enjoy about Ring Games is the fact that you theoretically dip in and out of them, playing for as long a time or as short a time as you please.
Online Poker Tips
So you’ve learnt a little bit about online poker, you have found a game format that takes your interest, and you are ready to put your money down on the digital table, now what? Well it’s time to make the most of your card playing efforts. However, there are some things that you must consider should you really wish to take your first step on the path to online poker superstardom.
Play Sensibly
Online poker can really prove to be a high stakes at affair at times; with hands having the potential to run away from you. If you want to experience poker online success (no matter whether you are playing free online poker otherwise), you’ll need to be managing your bankroll effectively. Before you start playing you need to have a figure in mind that you are comfortable to lose and break matters down from there. For example, if you have £100 to play with over a single session, then playing £5 games and below should be considered appropriate.
Keep Your Cool
Intense doesn’t even begin to describe the game of online poker, as games (even free online poker games) often represent the height of competition. Because this is the case, when at the table emotions can run high, which is why it pays to keep your cool and simply play the hand that is in front of you. By keeping a cool head when others at the table are loosing theirs, you could really stand to take advantage of the situation to its fullest degree, especially if you have a strong hand in your possession.
Learn from Mistakes
Lastly, nobody has ever become an online slots legend overnight, as the game really is one that is mastered through experience just as much as it is skill. When mistakes do happen and hands do fall short, it is up to you to learn from these mistakes and become a better poker player as a result. Track your losses and look to study how they came about and what you can do differently next time.
The Card Game of Kings
Online poker has been and always will be considered the card game of kings, with it putting competition, skill, and entertainment all together in one place. Taking the above into consideration, you can put your best foot forward when it comes to online poker and hopefully snap up a few hot prize pots in the process.