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Online poker has boomed over the past decade. Once a niche hobby, it’s now a multi-billion dollar industry with millions playing daily from home. As more newcomers join the excitement, starting out can seem intimidating.
This guide covers the essentials for beginners to get up and running with online poker – navigating sites, basic rules/strategy, and enjoying themselves at the tables.
Understanding The Game of Poker
Online poker allows players unprecedented global access and convenience unmatched by live poker. With just a few clicks, users can compete against others from around the world on tens of thousands of tables running around the clock.
This means being able to fit in a few hands during lunch or some late-night turbos, catering to busy modern lifestyles.
Additionally, sites feature a huge range of game types from high stakes games with buy-ins of $10,000+ down to low stakes games for just a few bucks. This diversity ensures there are always options for all bankrolls and skill levels.
Online poker allows playing anytime from any device, with real money or play money. After signing up, deposit funds and select a low-stakes table. There are a variety of online poker sites which offer safe, regulated play as well as different poker gaming options. Mobile apps make poker accessible anywhere.
The lower overhead costs of online platforms also benefit players. Sites pass on savings through generous rewards like sign-up bonuses, frequent player points, rebates and tournaments with million dollar prize pools.
Some operators even run these tournaments multiple times a day. These perks, combined with the constant global access and game variety, make the online poker experience superior for many compared to playing live.
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How to Get Started Playing Online Poker as a Beginner?
The first step to playing online poker is choosing a reputable site to play at. Well-regulated, internationally accessible rooms like PokerStars and Partypoker should be favored due to their security, software and large player pools.
Once signed up, identity verification is required which usually involves providing ID documents or financial information.
After verifying your identity, fund your new online poker account. Most major payment processors are accepted like credit cards, e-wallets and pre-paid cards. Ensure deposits are made securely from regulated sources.
Take time to familiarize yourself with the site’s software or mobile app, learning where games are located, how to navigate menus and view your stats. Get comfortable with the platform before playing real money games.
Gameplay
Poker involves a number of players competing by making controlled bets. In hold’em, gameplay unfolds over four betting rounds – preflop, flop, turn, and river.
Preflop involves posting small and big blinds to initiate action before cards are dealt. Players are then dealt two private hole cards.
The flop deals three shared community cards face-up, followed by a round of betting. On the turn, a single community card is dealt followed by betting.
Finally, the river card completes the board before a final betting round. At showdown, remaining players reveal hands to determine the winner.
Each round follows similar procedures. The big blind initiates action by checking or betting first. Subsequent players may then fold, call bets, or raise the amount wagered. Being last to act in later rounds provides an advantage.
The goal is making the best five-card hand using any combination of hole cards and community cards.
Strategies for Beginners
New players should focus on strong starting hands like AA, KK, AKs from early positions. Loose calling from the blinds is -EV long term.
Understand position – being first to act comes with implied odds disadvantages, so tighten ranges. Later positions afford more information to make better decisions. Bankroll management is also crucial – risk only 1-2% of your roll per session and walk away if you lose a buy-in to avoid tilt.
Try to gather information on opponents. Note their bet sizing, timing tells and reactions. Combine this with position awareness to make profitable laydowns and value bets in later streets, even with second best hands.
While poker involves chance, fundamental strategy can maximize your edge. Pay attention to other players and only play quality starting hands based on your position to find early success.
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Conclusion
Poker is a game of skill that can provide entertainment and income. New players are encouraged to study strategy, practice different situations, and gain experience over many hands before moving up in stakes.
With a solid understanding of the basics and disciplined bankroll management, anyone can become a winning poker player. Have fun and good luck at the tables!
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