Online poker has become a popular pastime and can be an exciting way to make money while having fun playing with friends. However, there are some important things to consider before you get started.
Legal US Online Poker
It is very important to play on a legal online poker site. Unlike offshore sites, they are regulated and have to adhere to strict laws that protect players’ money and ensure their games are fair. Many of these sites also offer free no deposit bonuses.
Getting Your Money onto the Table
It’s very easy to transfer your money into an online poker account these days. Depending on the poker website you are playing at, you can use credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets or even a wire transfer. This is great for new players as it means you can get your feet wet without spending a lot of money, although you do need to be sure you are depositing the correct amount.
Using Software to Track Your Stats
One of the most important aspects of playing online poker is tracking your results and making changes to your strategy accordingly. This is possible using the poker database software that many poker sites have. These programs allow you to review your past hands, spot leaks in your game and calculate your own and your opponent’s statistics.
You can find a variety of different software options available on the market, and most have a free trial version. Some are more advanced than others and can provide you with the most detailed information about your game.
HUD (Heads Up Display)
A poker HUD overlays player info directly on the poker table so you can instantly see how many hands you’ve played against a player and their style of play. The data is updated in real-time so you can keep track of the latest trends and changes in your opponents’ play.
The data is then presented in an easily readable format, and can be used to analyze different aspects of your game. This can include deciding whether to raise pre-flop or not, or how often to call post-flop aggression.
Keeping track of your own and your opponent’s poker data is an important part of the online poker experience, as it allows you to see how your game is improving or not. Poker tracking software makes this easy, and some of the best applications out there have a HUD that updates in real-time with hand data.
Watch Live Streams on Twitch
If you are looking for something more engaging and interactive than a poker book or strategy guide, you should check out a live stream on the website of a poker professional. These streams are free to view and are a great way to watch pros discuss their strategies.
There are also a number of online training courses available that teach the fundamentals of online poker. Some of these courses are free and some cost a small amount, but they all provide great training to help you improve your game.