Online poker has come a very long way since the first free games were offered online way back in the early 1990’s. Since 1998, when the first real money online poker game debuted, there continue to be many technological innovations which have transformed the way people play and enjoy their favorite card game.
Today, whether you are interested in playing Stud, Draw, Texas Hold Em, Omaha, or another poker variant, there are a wealth of online and mobile options. Top players are earning lucrative income simply by playing their favorite poker variation online.
Even players with only a general interest in the game are having fun enjoying exciting new options such as live poker with real dealers, animated video poker, or adults-only strip poker. If you are interested in learning more about poker strategy, consider studying Deep Stack, the first artificial intelligence which has been able to beat human players at Heads Up No Limit Texas Hold Em Poker.
The choices can be really overwhelming. If you are having a hard time choosing which online poker platform to invest your time and money into, pokerfuse’s online poker guides can help. It doesn’t matter if you are a high rolling card shark, or someone who always wanted to try out that Texas Hold Em game you saw in Casino Royale, there is a platform out there for you.
Choosing the Right Online Poker Site
Because there are so many options available, it can be challenging for some aspiring poker players to know where to begin. If this is you, the following guidelines will help you make better informed decisions around which sites to focus your time and energy on.
1. Welcome Bonuses Can Sweeten the Deal
You may not have realized it, but online poker can be a very competitive endeavor not only for the players involved but also for the companies offering different poker games online. That’s why it is important to check out the different welcome bonuses different sites offer.
While each welcome bonus will vary from site to site, the bottom line is simple. These bonuses allow you to win rewards which can help to incentivize your time on a given site.
For instance, some sites will offer you a deposit bonus. This means they will match whatever money you deposit into the site. Others might offer free credits that you can gamble for the chance to win real money. Welcome bonuses are a big deal on all online gambling sites including the best poker sites out there.
2. Start Where It Feels Comfortable for You
Poker can be a very fun and rewarding game. It can also be quite stressful if you are playing with very experienced players without having the foundational knowledge they have. As a result, we encourage you to start at a game that is suited to your ability levels.
In fact, you might even be able to build your knowledge on a site that offers tutorials or access to a specific demo mode. This way you can gain experience before getting in over your head.
Finally, just because high stakes variants are out there does not mean you should jump into those until you feel comfortable and understand the general mechanics of the game. Learn more about poker strategy by checking out the leading podcasts in the world of poker.
3. Figure Out Which Features Matter to You
A site which specializes in live video poker may not be worth your time if you are someone who has no interest in watching a dealer or other players on screen. Additionally, a site which is animated might not work if you are someone who does not like graphical renderings such as those you might find in a video game.
It’s important to try to figure out which features on a poker site are important to you and which are not. The best way to sort this out is to spend time exploring and reading around some of the best online poker sites. You should start to quickly get an idea which features matter to the type of gameplay you are looking for.
4. Not All Payment Methods Are Equal
For many online gamers, the biggest deciding factor in which sites to use has nothing to do with the games offered and everything to do with the payment methods accepted. Some people do not want their gambling data to show up on a monthly bank account statement. Others might be interested in playing with Bitcoin or another digital currency.
The payment methods a given site offers might help you to know if it is a good option for you. Be assured, there are online casinos accepting basically every form of payment out there so even if you have an unusual payment type in mind, there is probably a site for you somewhere.
5. Variety is the Spice of Life
Don’t forget to try out a lot of different poker variants and platforms. Experiment and see which ones you like best. Poker is a game and is meant to be a fun way to spend time. Don’t forget that.