The online gambling industry has exploded in recent years, with millions of people all over the world choosing to enjoy online casino games, poker, and even sports betting from the comfort of their own homes. This guide will teach you the top 10 rules every new online poker player should know before getting started playing on an online poker site or app. Whether you’re just getting started on your poker journey or you’re looking to improve your skills, this guide will help you on your way to becoming a true online poker pro!
#1 – Knowing the Different Card Rooms
When you first begin to play online poker, there are a lot of things to learn and terms to get acquainted with. One thing you’ll need to decide on is which website or network will be your home base. Each of these sites offers slightly different online casino games, offers, bonuses and more, so it can be helpful to have several options at your disposal for variety.
The largest networks include Bodog, Cake Poker Network (which includes InterPoker), Merge Gaming Network (which includes Carbon Poker), Partypoker, Titan Poker Network (which includes Betcoin) and Full Tilt.
 #2 – Establish a Bankroll
After choosing an online poker network, the next step is to decide how much money you’ll be willing to invest in it. Your personal finances will drive this decision, but you’ll want to ensure that you don’t spend all of your hard-earned money on one site. That could put you at risk for going bust should your luck turn sour at any point. Create a bankroll specifically for online poker, and then start building it up slowly.
#3 – Learn Money Management
Bankroll management is critical in online poker because variance tends to wreak havoc more than in live online casino games. If you lose several hands or tournaments within a short period of time, it can leave you in desperate need of cash if your bankroll isn’t large enough to absorb those losses with ease. For example, suppose you have a $100 buy-in and lose four buy-ins in a row. In that case, you’ll be broke and unable to continue playing unless that balance is replenished somehow.
#4 – Set Realistic Expectations
Even with proper money management in place, online poker still has its ups and downs. Because there are millions of players at thousands of tables around the world at any given moment when you log on, your opponents can vary from day to day. Some days will be good, while others will be bad; it’s impossible to predict which is which ahead of time.
#5 – Finding the Right Poker Room for You
Choosing a poker room can be difficult. When you start online poker, there are many choices to make. You will want to make sure that it is right for you. The best thing to do is play in free online casino games and tournaments and determine which site is best for you based on your playing style and what kind of bonus they offer to new players.
Here are some factors you may want to consider:
- How often does it run poker tournaments?
- Most sites offer many different types of online casino games, so check how often they run events with bigger buy-ins, such as $10 or $20 tournaments or Sit & Go’s.
#6 – Getting Started
In poker, it’s important to study up basic strategies before jumping into a game. Online poker is no different. Learning how to play online requires a great deal of patience and some clearheaded, strategic thinking about just what you’re getting yourself into. Before you start playing, make sure you know these seven rules.
Many professional players swear by them, and they can make a huge difference in your success at online poker—or any other form of gambling for that matter. And remember: Always gamble responsibly!
#7 – Playing Online Poker Safely
Always have an exit strategy when you sit down at a table to play poker. You should know exactly how much money you’re willing to lose before you ever sit down. When your bankroll is low, don’t be tempted to take unnecessary risks by playing hands that are out of your league.
If someone asks if they can sit in for a hand or two, politely decline their request. You can give them some tips on what to look for when they get started but make sure that their inexperience doesn’t affect your play at all.
Always be aware of whom you’re playing against and what kind of cards they may hold. Players should always take their time, look over their cards and think about their next move very carefully before making any decisions. Being nervous is part of playing poker, but you shouldn’t ever get so excited that it causes you to make bad plays or take unnecessary risks.
Take a moment to calm down and collect your thoughts before making your decision. Even if you don’t do anything else, these few simple rules should help keep beginners from losing too much money while learning how to play online poker safely.
#8 – Stay Within Your Bankroll
When you play poker online for real money, it’s important to maintain an adequate bankroll. A bankroll is basically your pot of cash that you use for gambling. The size of your bankroll depends on two things:
- Your game and
- Whether or not you win while gambling.
When playing Texas Hold’ Em, most players typically need between $50 and $500 in their bankroll—the specifics will depend on how good of a player you are. If you’re just starting out, consider setting aside $100-$200 in your bankroll at first so that you can learn how to play without feeling anxious about financial loss.
#9 – Know When to Fold ‘Em
No matter how good you are at poker, you’re bound to have a bad day. It’s best to develop an understanding of why you were beaten before you sit down again with your next opponent. It might be worth watching them play for a while or even asking them for tips. You can learn a lot from other players, whether they’re good or bad!
But it’s important not to let pride get in your way. If you know you aren’t going to win today, just take what you can and walk away until tomorrow. This will help prevent negative feelings that might lead to rash decisions that could really cost you big in future online casino games.
#10 – Learning from Other Players
Poker, like any skill-based game, takes time to develop and learn. If you’re looking for tips on how to win at poker online, you might want to start by learning from your opponents and watching what they do. By studying and getting a feel for how people play, you can see what mistakes they make and take steps to avoid them yourself. It’s called learning from your losses – without making those same mistakes yourself!
There are loads of resources online where you can watch other players. My favorites are PokerStars, which offers free sessions with pros who share their expertise, as well as Twitch. It may sound silly, but if you spend an hour or two watching live streams of other players, I guarantee it will have an impact on your game.
The next big thing in online gambling is skill betting. Whether it’s learning how to count cards or just trying to decipher poker tells, there are many resources available that don’t require high stakes bets or risk serious money.
Conclusion
Starting to play online poker can be a daunting task for those who have never played before. There are many rules and procedures to learn and good online casino games and bad online casino games to avoid. This is why it’s helpful to start out by learning some of these rules that will help you get through your first few sessions. By following these simple tips, you can start playing with confidence and prevent any beginner’s mistakes from hindering your enjoyment of online poker.
