5 Tips That Will Help You Succeed in Online Poker

From quiet family games after Thanksgiving dinner to major international tournaments with professional players, poker was already the most popular card game long before the online variety blew up at the turn of the new millennium. Now, however, it’s one of the biggest hobbies in the gaming world, enjoyed by millions around the globe.

For some, online poker is just a casual hobby. For others, it’s a means of pursuing glory and riches (even while sitting at home dressed in pajamas). But wherever you may fall on this spectrum, there’s one constant: You probably want to win! That’s easier said than done, but below we’ve put together some tips that will help you on your way.

1. Find the Right Type of Game

All poker games are not created equal. Some people might be tempted to gravitate toward the ones with higher stakes just for the thrill (and potential); some may prefer playing for fun without buying in at all. But when considering financial success, the key factor is going to be which type could net the most profit when playing online –– a topic we’ve covered before. As noted, the ever-popular Sit-N-Go-style tournaments tend to win out in this regard. The key factor here is that once you start playing in one of these games, you’ve already bought into the tournament, and so won’t lose any more than that initial buy-in if things go poorly. That skin in the game gives you enough focus without leading to huge deficits, and allows for controlled progression.

2. Use the Right Equipment

There are all sorts of ways to play online poker; you can even play it on a TV, if you feel so inclined. Many choose to play on their phones as well, which might be okay for casual games, but also limits the amount of visual information that can be displayed. Sun-reflecting laptops on the go (say, in noisy cafes) are also not always ideal, though they can certainly get the job done in a pinch. Ultimately, a proper desk-based setup is going to be best in the end if you want to really zero in on the game. This actually poses a problem for some avid gamers today, because an ongoing global chip shortage is continuing to affect the market for new PCs. If your focus is on poker specifically though, don’t let this dissuade you from angling for a desktop setup. The demands of most poker games are such that a decent CPU (“brain”) and monitor (or possibly multiple monitors if you’re playing a lot of games at once) will get the job done. The latest equipment isn’t needed; it’s more about having a reliable setup where you can display your games and any other information you need (notes on opponents, odds calculations, etc.) with ease.

3. Use Helpful Software (Paid and Free)

There are whole suites of tools that will help you dominate the table, ranging from the more manual to more automated. A simple notepad can be invaluable for assessing others’ play styles and tracking your own tendencies, while Heads Up Display “tracker” software will give you invaluable insight. The paid trackers like Hold’em Manager tend to be richer in features, including post-game analysis and visualizations, but a free option like the PokerStove odds calculator is a great basic tool for the fundamentals.

You can also assign hotkeys with something like Table Ninja when playing multiple games.

4. Introspect

While getting to grips with the technical aspects accounts for a good deal of achieving success in online poker, there are also a number of psychological and strategic elements. And along these lines, one recommended way to take your poker game up a level is to prioritize self-reflection. You’ll be going through a lot of games as you get into online poker, and it’s important to assess your own progress openly and honestly. When you play a big hand and lose, for example, don’t dismiss it as simple bad luck. Think about how the decisions you did or didn’t make led to those outcomes. Make a note of it if it helps, and try to recognize if those bad decisions are being repeated over time. Eventually, you’ll start to recognize patterns that can lead to improvement in the parts of the game that don’tcome down to good or bad luck.

5. Create the Right Environment

Along with being introspective, you’ll also need to remain calm and focused on the game. And that comes down, in part, to having a suitable environment to play in. To that end, it’s not just the computer and desk that are important, but also your physical comfort. A long session playing online poker is no different than a work day on the body, and that means basic ergonomics for a home office setup apply. That means adjusting your hair (so that your knees are level with your hips), keeping the monitor at least an arm’s length away, and making sure that you have the back support and padded arms you need, as well as a footrest if necessary. For the same reason, it’s also important to take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep (if you’re playing a lot). All of this will help you to focus on your game, and be happier playing.

Online poker is a different beast than the in-person variety. It demands that you work on your environment, find the places and types of games to play, and regularly reflect on all of your results. Provided the right approach though, you can set yourself up for success over the long term.