Online Poker takes the same concept as live poker and cranks it up to a whole new level. Players can play for the smallest stakes imaginable, win satellite entries to some of the most prestigious live events in the world or compete in online tournaments that offer up millions of dollars in prizes. Players can do all of this from their desktop computer, laptop or even mobile phone. Regulated online poker is now available in several US states and the game continues to grow worldwide.
The first step to getting started with online poker is choosing a site and downloading the software. This shouldn’t take too long on most modern computers and it will only use a small amount of memory. Once the software is downloaded you can navigate to the lobby where you will find tables categorized by cash games, tournaments and sit & go’s (a variant of tournaments). Often there are also beginner tables which can be a great way for new players to get their feet wet as they will only be playing against other players who classify themselves as beginners.
Getting started with online poker can be difficult for many players as they are used to the live environment where they can look their opponents in the face and read body language. This can be hard to translate over to the online game but there are some things you can do to help. One of the most important things is to have a short memory. This means forgetting about all the big beats, coolers and suckouts you might experience and just continuing to improve your own game.
Another important tip is to focus on the long-term success of your poker career. Many people make the mistake of judging their performance based on day-to-day or week-to-week results. This can be a huge mistake, especially in poker where the skill gap between the top and bottom players is much wider than in most other competitive endeavors.
When making the transition from live to online poker, it is essential to start at the lowest possible stakes. While this may seem like an odd recommendation to someone who has already achieved success at a lower limit, the relative skill levels between live and online poker are much different than most people realize. In addition, starting at the low limits will allow you to quickly build up a positive expectation and learn how to play in a more profitable manner online.
One last piece of advice is to avoid chasing hands and playing more than you should be. This is a common mistake that new online players make and can be a very costly one. By avoiding this error, you will be able to maximize your profits and avoid the biggest pitfall of online poker. It is also worth remembering that online poker sites collect rake on every pot, which can be anywhere from 3 to 4.25%. This can add up to a significant amount of money in your account over time.