Online poker is a thrilling game that rewards real skill unlike slots or the lottery. It’s something anyone can play for a little bit of cash or simply for the fun of it. But it’s also easy to get hooked so it’s important to be aware of the dangers and play responsibly. Setting limits on your playing time and money can help prevent an addiction. And if you do find yourself struggling, getting help is always a good idea.
For years poker was relegated to the back of smoky bars and casinos but the advent of the Internet saw it rise to prominence as an exciting, intellectual, fast-paced game that can be played at any time and from any location. The thrill of bluffing against other players and the opportunity to win a big prize is what draws many people to this fascinating card game. And although you may miss out on the high-fives and trash-talking banter of a live game, you’ll still be able to enjoy some great competition and fun with a wide range of different people from around the world.
It’s a simple question really; you can play poker online for free or for the smallest stakes imaginable (literally pennies) or you can compete for a seat at the biggest live tournaments in the world. Most major poker sites have thousands of real-money games running all the time from low-stakes games right up to multi-million dollar events. And all of it is available from your computer, laptop or mobile device wherever you happen to be.
When you’re first starting out with the game it’s a good idea to stick with the large poker sites as they tend to have a larger volume of real-money action. But don’t be fooled into thinking that they are automatically the best; you can often find a lot softer games on smaller sites that haven’t had as much exposure to the general public.
You’ll generally be able to find the real-money games on the homepage of a poker site; and they are usually categorized into Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s. You can generally filter these tabs to show just the type of games you want to play. Most sites also have beginner tables that you can use to be seated with other players who classify themselves as beginners which dramatically levels the playing field for new players.
One of the biggest differences between playing poker online and offline is that you won’t be able to pick up on a player’s tells like the slight twitch of their nose or dart of their eyes. This makes it harder to capitalise on their bluffs but there are still plenty of ways to spot them and take advantage.
If you’re looking for a quick way to make a profit then playing a few hands of poker online is definitely worth checking out. But remember that it’s important to check out a site’s security and fair play policies before you start playing for real money.