Getting Started

Starting out in online poker
So, are you ready to start playing? The answer is yes (but either very small or for play money). I say that because the best way to learn is to play, reading up on the subject is essential however you need to understand the game for that to make sense.

You should not be afraid of making mistakes as this happens at all levels. Its not like you're on TV so do what you think is best, you will learn better, even if you lose.

You should play for play money first to get to know how the deal and betting works and always check the freerolls available every time you log in.

Three of the games listed below require real money. An initial deposit of $50 can last you for weeks even if you are a losing player. Just stick to the very lowest games on there, these should be $1 or $2 tournaments and cash games with stakes around 5c/10c where you have around $4 on the table.

So to start with there are several types of games which will suit you some of which are free to play.

Playmoney
All sites have games where you can play against real people with free chips. These games are totally free plus you can reload your free chips if you should lose them. You will find there are No Limit and Limit versions of this and sometimes multi and single table tournaments.

These games are great for learning the basics of blinds, position, betting order etc. Many wannabe players who have watched the game on TV go straight into cash games without even knowing what the ‘button’ or the ‘blinds’ are and how they work. 

Remember every player has free chips so the action will be fast and loose.

Freerolls
These are free to play tournaments where you can win real cash. The amount is normally very small however they play out exactly like a normal tournament would. They are great for experience and with cash prizes they will keep your interest better than play money games.

Remember that as everyone in these tournaments got in for free they will mostly be playing very loose and aggressive with some players pushing all in with anything. You should therefore counter this strategy by playing very tight. Try to see flops cheaply in late position and play big hands aggressively as you will get paid off. Don’t raise or reraise multiple players where you will have to fold if they push all in.

Freerolls can be found in the tournament section. Sometimes you will have a ‘freerolls’ tab within this section or you can use the filters to only list the freerolls. Some sites will hold points buy in freerolls which are not the same. When you play for cash on all sites you will gain loyalty points which can be use to enter these.

Low limit cash games
You can play for ultra small stakes on any site. Party poker has a specific section where only new players are allowed to enter and play. These games are great as they will get you to concentrate as your money is on the line however the amount should be so small you don’t care if you lose it.

Everyone these days wants to play No Limit Holdem however Limit Holdem will also teach you the basics without the risk of losing your entire stack in one hand.

Do not fall into the trap of doubling your deposit and deciding that you are now a winning player! You are not! Stay where you are and put in some hours, poker takes months to learn to play well so learn in the cheap games. Many players fall into the trap of moving up the stakes only to be beaten, when they now go and redeposit they seem to stay at the losing level they were on instead of moving back down the limits as they should. Be sensible and take it slow. If you crave more action play two tables at your current limit.

Multiple Table Tournaments (MTT’s)
You can buy in to multiple table tournaments for as little as $1. These tournaments will teach you a great deal without the risk of losing any significant amount of money. They are also a great deal of fun to play and with the chance of winning a significant amount of money compared to your buy in, they will keep your interest all the way through.

You will find extensive information on MTT’s in our ‘poker strategy’ section.

Single Table Tournaments (STT’s)
STT’s are one table games with a payout for the top two or three players depending on how many started. They range from six to ten players and are a great way to gain tournament and short handed experience.

These games start very quickly when all the seats are taken and are available 24 hours a day. There are speed and turbo versions of these which require a very loose aggressive approach, to start with look for normal games or even deep stack versions.

On most sites you can buy in to these for as little as $5. You will find multiple strategies for STT’s in our ‘Poker Strategies’ section.