Whether you are new to poker or are seeking to up your skills, the internet is an amazing resource. There are so many ways in which to research, study, and practice various skills and strategies that you will never tire of finding new things to learn and try. Here are just 7 of the ways in which you can use the internet to learn or advance your game.
1. Stream Past and Present Poker Tournaments
There are multiple ways of finding past and present poker tournaments so, with that said, you could probably find a new tourney to watch daily for at least the next year. From YouTube to various poker sites, you can always find a link to the game you want to watch. However, if you truly are sincere about upping your skills, don’t be content to watch these tournaments just once. View them several times through, take notes if you come across an interesting play, and learn what you can from both the winners and losers.
2. Interactive Poker Guide
There are several really great poker tools, among which is the Interactive Poker Guide. This will teach you the basics of the five most popular games of poker being played online and in land-based casinos. Along with this tool, there are poker charts, poker personality tests, and a poker odds calculator. It’s interesting to learn the various ways in which to advance your skills so that when you are playing a real game with a live pot, you can actually wager from a place of strength rather than looking to Lady Luck to guide you.
3. Choose a Game and Stick With It
Once you’ve made your way through the interactive guide and watched a few tournaments, you’ll have a better understanding of the most popular poker games today. Of those, the most popular are:
- Texas Hold ‘Em
- Omaha-Hi
- 7 Card Stud
- Omaha Hi-Lo
The interactive graphics will help you understand the basic plays of each and by the time you have watched a few tournaments, you’ll probably have a good grasp on the game you’d like to excel in. One thing you will probably hear over and over is that Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular by far and is also the game played in the World Series of Poker. Whether or not you aspire to such heights, it’s a good game to learn.
Having said all that, once you choose a game, stick to it! It’s really the only way you will master a game without getting the rules confused in the beginning.
4. Play Poker Online for Free
There are several places where you can play poker online for free every day of the week. These are not places where you will be able to wager, but rather learning tools to begin mastering certain skills. Sometimes it’s because there are no games available in the region in which you live, but they will let you play on and on as you learn the ropes. It’s really all about international gambling rules and which countries have agreements with other countries – a mind-boggling mess to be sure. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is in gaming as well as in commerce.
5. Research and Learn From Power Players
Another thing you could do is take the time to research and learn from the leading poker players of all time. These you can see in streaming videos from days gone by or you can also research biographies and interviews they’ve given. What better way is there to learn complex strategies than from the pros who have spent a lifetime in the game?
6. Take Advantage of New Player Freebie Games
There will also be many online casinos that offer free games for newbies when you sign up at those casinos. Sometimes you will need to start an account and leave a deposit even if you aren’t wagering any real money and other times you can simply play a game or two for the experience of using that site. These would be games you could play in your region because out-of-region casinos are not open to players from other countries. Even so, it would be in your best interest to try as many casinos as possible, playing against the house and other players to get as much experience as possible.
7. Join Poker Social Sites
Then there are social media. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and even YouTube are where you’ll find other players looking for tips or willing to share their experiences. The world of poker is an amazing global community and once you’ve become an active member on a social site, you may find the best casinos to play on and places where you can get tips much needed if you are trying to up your game. Shared experiences can go a very long way in improving both your style and betting strategies. One thing to be aware of though is that some players ‘may’ try to lead you astray. Don’t always bank on what you are being told because that player may not be as proficient in the game as they think they are!
Poker is a game that is played worldwide and something that many players enjoy for the sheer challenge of it. Playing online can be a bit more challenging because you can’t always call a bluff if you can’t see it! All the same, it’s something that you will need to learn and practice while choosing the game that best suits you and your betting style. Take the time to really learn about the various games now popular and once you find that one game that calls to you, that’s the game you should focus on. Try not to flit about from game to game or you will be at risk of bad plays simply because you are confusing strategies. With all that said, here’s wishing you all the fun online poker offers and so much more.