Amid a resurgence of interest in poker, more players than ever before are taking the time to hone their skills. They’re not only enrolling in top training sites, but equipping themselves with tools that can speed up the learning process.
One of the most useful tools for improving your online poker game is a tracking program. These programs save, sort and recall your online hand histories for analysis. They can even scan the active tables for known players and display previous statistics next to their name, a feature called heads-up displays (HUDs). Some even include odds, equity or variance calculators.
The advantage of a tracking program is that it can help you develop and refine a strategy that will improve your bottom line. But how do you know which program to choose? Many programs offer a free trial. If you find that it’s not working for you, it’s easy to uninstall and try another. If you decide to stick with it, the payoffs will be worth the effort.
Another way to increase your poker bankroll is through bonuses and promotions. Welcome offers are offered to new players, and usually amount to a full match of your initial deposit. Some online poker operators also throw in extra tournament tickets and freeroll entries as part of their welcome packages.
Despite the negative perception of online poker, it is completely legal to play in the states that regulate it. All you need to do is register with a regulated poker site, verify your identity and provide proof of age. Once approved, you can then open a poker account and start playing for real money. You can play cash games, Sit n Go events or enter major tournaments.
It’s not uncommon for high-level players to play both live and online poker. There was a time when the distinction between live and online poker players was stark, with some “live pros” refusing to venture online (and complaining that it wasn’t “real” poker). Today, however, most top players play both, though some do prefer one game over the other.
Some people enjoy the lower stakes of online poker and the fact that they can play from anywhere with an internet connection. Others like the fast pace of online poker, where hands are dealt much faster than in a casino or cardroom. And still others like the fact that they can play as often or as little as they want and that they don’t have to commit to an eight-hour session.