How to Play Online Poker
The online poker boom of 2004 still reverberates today as people around the world continue to join online poker sites. Getting started with online poker is easy, but it can seem overwhelming to people who are completely new to online poker. If that sounds familiar, this getting started guide will teach you how to play online poker with minimal hassle.
The first step in getting started with online poker is choosing a poker site. There are several hundred online poker rooms out there, but the majority of players congregate at a few of the most popular poker rooms. It is important to choose a quality poker room because real money poker requires trust, good software and lots of players. A few of our favorite poker sites are the following:
Once you choose a poker site that you like, the next step is to download the software and create an account.
How to Download Online Poker
You can download the poker software of any poker room by visiting the website and looking for the “download now” button. Every poker room has a big link that asks you to download the software and save it to your computer. All you have to do is click that link and follow the instructions on the screen.
After you click on the download link, you’ll be asked to save the poker download to your computer. Save it somewhere where you’ll be able to find it later. The desktop is always a good choice. Once the download has completed, go to the location where you saved it and run the poker download. This will install the software.
Congratulations – you now have online poker on your computer. Any time you feel like playing some cards, just run the poker software and you will be taken to the tables. The first time you run the software, you will need to create an account. Click on the “new account” button on the login screen and follow the instructions to set up your player account.
Download Poker vs. Instant Play Poker
The most popular way to play online poker is to download the software and save it to your computer. However, you may have noticed that most major poker rooms also have an option for “instant play” poker.
Instant play poker is an option in which you can play poker on your web browser without saving anything to your computer. It’s a popular form of online poker for people who are in a rush or who people who don’t use the Windows operating system. It’s basically a quick way to hop online and play poker with minimal fuss.
Instant play poker is especially popular for people who use the Mac, Linux or Ubuntu operating systems. Most poker sites do not have downloadable software that is compatible with those operating systems. Instant play poker is the answer for those operating systems because it is compatible with any computer that can browse the internet.
The one downside to instant play poker is that it doesn’t offer as many features as full download poker. The graphics are a little more basic, the software moves a little more slowly and it’s not as easy to multi-table when you choose the instant play option. It works well for casual players, but high volume poker players are best served by downloading the software.
You can read more about no-download poker here:
What to Expect with Online Poker
Now that you have the poker download saved to your computer and ready to go, it’s time to play online poker. When you log into any poker site, the first thing you will see is the poker lobby. The lobby is the area in which you can view the tables, join waiting lists and manage your account.
The poker lobby of your software will be organized into categories of game types. Texas Holdem is the most popular poker variation, so most tables will feature that game. The main poker lobby will show you an area for ring games and an area for tournaments. Inside those sections, the games will be organized according to stakes. If you see a game you like, you can double click that listing in the poker lobby and you will be taken to the table.
Now you can choose your buyin amount and pick which seat you wish to join (if there is more than one open seat). If you join a ring game, you will be dealt into the next hand and can start playing as soon as the next round begins. Tournaments are only open for new players during the registration period of each tournament. All you have to do is join any open tournament and pay the buyin fee. When the tournament begins, you will be automatically taken to your table.
Online poker can be played for both real money and fake money. Real money poker is the most exciting form of online poker, but play-money poker can be useful for learning new games and practicing basic poker strategy. The play is pretty wild at the play-money tables but it becomes a little more sane when you join the real money games.
How to Play Online Poker for Real Money
The first thing you have to do to play real money poker is make a deposit. To make a deposit, log in to your poker software and visit the cashier’s area. In that section, you will be asked to choose a deposit method and an amount to deposit. Follow the instructions on the screen and your account will be funded in no time.
After you have a real money account, you can join any real money game on your poker site. Just choose the game type that you want and look for a game that looks suitable. A variety of games can be played for real money on the internet. Texas Holdem, Omaha and Seven Card Stud are just a few of the poker variations that you can play for real money.
If you do well at the tables, you will eventually want to cash out your winnings. You can do this by visiting the cashier and clicking on the “withdraw” or “cashout” button. Choose a withdrawal method, choose an amount to withdraw and then submit your request. Some of the most popular withdrawal methods are paper checks, wire transfers, Neteller and Moneybookers.
Real Money Poker Bonuses
The ability to get poker bonuses is one of the greatest advantages to playing poker on the internet. The online poker industry is highly competitive, so all poker sites offer real money bonuses to players who sign up and deposit. These poker bonuses can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Poker sites give out bonuses as a percentage of your first deposit. For example, a poker site might promise all players a 100% bonus for up to $500 extra. This means that your first deposit will be doubled for up to $500 in bonus money. A $100 deposit, for example, will get you an extra $100 added to your account.
The catch to real money poker bonuses is that they have to be cleared. All online poker sites require you to play a certain amount of poker before the bonus can be withdrawn. Most poker sites release the bonus money in increments of $5 or $10 as you play real money ring games and tournaments. The more you play, the faster the bonus is cleared.
Is online poker legal?
The legality of online poker is a complicated topic because the laws regarding online poker are different all around the world. In most places, it is perfectly fine to play online poker. However, we must warn you to do your own research and talk to qualified legal experts no matter where you live. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The United States is home to the most confusion regarding the legality of online poker. Although there are no laws that specifically outlaw online poker, the government has taken action against poker sites that accept players from the US. Poker players themselves do not get targeted for legal action, but some poker sites have been targeted in the past.
Online poker has been available in the US for more than a decade and not a single person has ever gotten in trouble for playing poker on the internet. If you live in the US, you are good to go. Play at much poker as you want.
Canada, the UK and much of Europe also take a lax stance on online poker. The UK has one of the softest stances on online poker and has even gone so far as to regulate and tax the industry. Poker players in the UK don’t even have to pay taxes on their winnings. But once again, it’s best to be safe and check the laws in your jurisdiction. A little knowledge never hurts.
