Beginners Online Poker Guide

Are you keen to start playing online poker but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place! It’s easy and fun to learn online poker, and you can do so at your own pace with no pressure. This way, you can boost your confidence before you play for high stakes!

Keep reading if you've always wanted to learn how to hold the winning hand.

The History of Poker

Poker’s rich history spans continents and centuries. It evolved from a series of card games popular in Europe and the Middle East, beginning as we know it today in the early 1800s in the USA. Nowadays, millions of people play poker, with the online version of the game making it more accessible than ever.

Poker Hand Rankings

You’ll need to understand poker hand rankings before you start playing. Hand rankings determine who the winner is in a showdown, where you reveal your hand to find out who wins the pot:

Knowing these rankings is essential for making informed decisions during the game and understanding when you have a strong hand or when it's best to fold.

Online vs. Offline Poker

The world of poker has experienced significant changes with the advent of online poker, bringing the game to a broader audience and offering unique advantages compared to traditional offline play:

Accessibility and Convenience

Possibly the biggest benefit of playing poker online is its accessibility. You can enjoy a game from the comfort of your own home; you don’t need to travel to a land-based casino. This kind of convenience makes your gaming experience more flexible. You can log in and ante up whenever you want! 

Bonuses and Promotions

The online sites offering poker games that we recommend all offer a range of bonuses and promotions. These can include freeload tournaments, loyalty programs, reload bonuses, and welcome bonuses. These kinds of incentives will ensure you get more bang for your buck and may well see you taking part for longer because your bankroll is bigger!

Faster Gameplay

Online poker is usually faster than the game you’ve been playing in land-based rooms. The dealing and shuffling are automatic, eliminating downtime, so you’ll be able to see more hands per hour. You’ll find the online experience more dynamic and engaging, and you may find your skills improving more quickly than you expected!

Game Variety

When you play poker online, you can choose from a range of different games and formats that would not necessarily be available at your local brick-and-mortar casino. Popular variations include Texas Hold’em, Omaha Poker, Seven-Card Stud Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Three-Card Poker. 

You can choose from cash games, sit-and-go’s, and tournaments, and you can find a variant with the minimum and maximum bet levels you prefer. 

Popular Poker Strategies

Poker is a strategic game that requires skill, and you can use these strategies to get ahead:

Avoid Tilt

Tilt is emotional decision-making and should be avoided at all costs when playing poker. Consider instituting strategies to manage tilt, like taking breaks frequently, setting limits on your losses, and examining your mindset. When you’re frustrated, stop playing. 

When you control your emotions, you make better decisions, and your overall performance improves. 

Be Aggressive

When you select a good hand to play, bet them hard. Consider being aggressive even with small pairs and suited connectors if that’s what your gut tells you, especially when you’re connecting with part of the flop. 

Be Patient

Poker may be a game of skill, but you still need luck on your side to win, and playing requires persistence and patience. Focus on making the best possible decisions and tracking your results. This is how you’ll see that this approach works. Don’t ever chase your losses, and when the going gets tough, take a break. 

Choose Your Starting Hands Carefully

You may be tempted to just play every hand, but avoid doing this. A good reason to be selective with your starting hands is that most of them will be behind the flop, and you’ll be throwing good money after bad.

Don’t be afraid to pass on marginal hands when you’re starting. Wait for the good one! The best starting hands include:

• A-A

• K-K

• Q-Q

• J-J

• A-K suited

• A-Q suited

• A-J suited

• K-Q suited

Know When to Fold

This is probably one of the most important skills in poker. Don’t get too attached to a hand, even when it looks like you could be beating the dealer. Folding when necessary saves your chips and allows you to stay in the game for longer when you’ve got something worth betting on!

Start with Free Games or Low-Stakes Tables

Starting your poker play with free games or tables with low minimum stakes is a great way to learn the game without emptying your pockets! Practice for free, get familiar with the software and the basic gameplay mechanics, and then start on a low-stakes table as you ease your way into the experience. Learning with minimal risk will boost your confidence and get you ready for real money bets. 

Poker Tips for Beginners

Online poker is as exciting as it is challenging, especially when you’re just starting out. Here are some essential tips to help you get started on the right foot and improve your game from the get-go:

The world of online poker offers exciting opportunities for enjoyment and growth. Start with free tables, use low-stakes games for as long as you need to, make sure you understand the basics and stick to your strategy no matter how the games go. Manage your bankroll responsibly, be patient, and make an effort to learn from your mistakes. 

With enough dedication and practice, you’ll eventually become a great player and increase your enjoyment of the game. 

Happy playing, and may the cards be ever in your favour!