Online poker is a relatively new form of playing the game of poker. It has grown into an industry worth billions of dollars with players from all over the world competing for a share of the action.
The popularity of online poker has exploded in recent years, with millions of people across the globe playing and learning the game from home. While some people may prefer the social aspect of a live game, the convenience and speed of online play is hard to beat.
Sign-Up Bonuses
Most online poker sites offer a sign-up or “welcome” bonus to attract new players. These bonuses usually match the amount of cash that you put in at 100% up to a certain limit. They can be as simple as free $10, or as large as $1,000.
These bonuses can be a real boon to new players, especially in the first few weeks after you have registered for an account. However, there are a few things you need to know before you start playing with them.
First, keep in mind that the bonuses are usually released in small increments, and not instantly. This means that you have to play a certain number of hands before the site releases your bonus. It can be a little frustrating when you have to wait for weeks before you get to use them, but once they are released it is an excellent opportunity to test the waters and see if this is a good poker site for you.
One of the most important aspects of choosing an online poker site is to make sure that it has a solid reputation for fairness and integrity. This is because reputable poker sites have many checks and balances in place, so even one disgruntled employee who tries to cheat could cause the entire operation to go out of business.
The best way to make sure that an online poker site is legitimate is to check the governing body’s website for reviews and ratings. Generally, sites will have an eCOGRA logo or other certification to ensure that the site is a safe and legitimate place to play poker.
Software for Poker Tracking
The key to becoming an efficient online poker player is using a variety of tools to keep track of your game. This can include hand histories, statistics and bankrolls. You can also find software that will generate graphs and pie charts to display your results in a more visual way.
This tool is particularly useful for players who have multiple tables to monitor and will save you a great deal of time. It has a built-in table manager which lets you control how your tables are displayed, preselect bet sizes, manage your time bank and much more.
Another great tool for tracking your opponents’ play is a poker software program called Hand2Note. This program is a combination of a HUD and an analysis tool that will tell you how long your opponents take to decide on a hand. It is a fantastic tool for improving your game and finding weaknesses in your opponents’ strategy.