Several online poker sites offer a variety of training tools to help you become a better player. Some of these are free and others require a monthly fee. Jonathan Little’s site offers a great course that will teach you to play well and is complemented by his weekly hand analysis.
Signing up
There was a time when the distinction between live and online poker players was stark. But things changed when an amateur named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event through a $40 tournament online. Since then, people have been rushing to sign up for online poker sites.
When you are signing up, make sure to provide accurate information. This is important because online poker rooms use your personal details to maintain security standards. Some also require documents such as a drivers’ license or passport to verify your identity.
Once you’ve signed up, you will be able to access the lobbies and start playing for real money. You’ll need to choose a screen name and password, so choose wisely! You can’t change your username after you’ve signed up, so choose something unique. Also, you must only create one account – playing multiple accounts is not permitted. This is to prevent cheating and money laundering.
Games offered
Online poker is offered at a variety of stakes and has a huge player base that allows for competitive games. Most sites offer two major formats for players, cash games and tournaments. The latter require a buy-in and have time intervals when the game ends. During this time the house takes a “rake” of the pot.
Despite a series of setbacks, online poker has been on the rise in recent years. Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 World Series of Poker win helped propel the industry to the forefront. However, the halcyon days of online poker were short-lived and a series of legal setbacks followed.
Several factors make the difference between good and bad online poker sites. For one, look for a site that accepts your preferred banking methods. Also, review the amount of minimum and maximum withdrawals as well as the time frame to receive the money. Most online poker sites also feature a Beginner tab that seats you at tables with other players who have labeled themselves as beginners, which levels the playing field for newcomers to the game.
Depositing money
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, depositing money into your online poker account is fast and simple. Most sites accept a variety of credit/debit cards, e-wallets and bank wires for deposits. These options are usually listed clearly in the cashier.
If you’re looking for a safe and secure deposit option then PayPal is a good choice. You can easily link your PayPal account to an online poker site and move funds from your e-wallet to the site quickly and securely.
Another great option is a direct bank transfer. This is a secure way to fund your account and allows you to keep your card details private. Finally, Boku is a mobile payment method that is available on most online poker sites. This simple and convenient method only requires a valid phone number and a reply to an SMS. The transaction is then processed instantly and your money is available for play. Moreover, it is also very fast when withdrawing winnings as the withdrawals are usually transferred to your e-wallet in a matter of minutes.
Tracking your results
Keeping detailed records of your poker sessions is an essential part of becoming a winning player. It will help you identify leaks in your game and improve over time. It will also keep you from cherry-picking sessions to make your statistics look better than they are.
Top software programs like RunGood, PokerTracker and Hold’em Manager allow you to import hand histories from online poker sites. They can provide you with in-depth statistics such as win rate by position, showdown winnings by hand strength and much more. They can also help you pinpoint leaks in your game and give you guidance on how to fix them.
Besides these, there are a lot of other online poker database sites that offer more information about your opponents. Some even track tournament results.
