Poker online is a great way to pass the time, whether it’s while you are waiting for friends or family or just looking to have some fun without having to leave your house. It can also be a lucrative side hustle, but only if you know how to play it well and manage your bankroll effectively. There are a number of things you need to take into account when playing poker online, including the game’s rules and strategy.
While online poker may be easier than live games, it’s still a challenging game to beat. It takes a lot of practice, but if you put in the work by signing up for training sites like Chip Leader Coaching or Upswing Poker, network with successful pros and brutally analyze your own play after every session, you can be one of the players who wins. The key is to start out small, and slowly build your bankroll.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant increase in the number of people playing poker online, with recreational players turning to the virtual tables in droves. Some operators have reported traffic double what they normally see, with players flocking to cash games and tournaments that are available around the clock.
When you play poker online, your position in the hand is more important than it would be in a live game. If you are first to act, then your opponents will be able to read your betting patterns more easily and predict how strong your hand is. This can make it hard to steal blind bets, especially when you have a weak one like a 7 6 or 5 5. But, if you are last to act, then your opponent will be less able to read your hand and you might be able to bluff them out of the pot with a cheeky raise.
It’s also worth remembering that the flop is an important part of any poker hand, as it can suggest potential hole cards. For this reason, it’s good to be a bit more aggressive and consider calling with marginal hands such as a 3-3 or an A-9 in late position.
Another tip is to use a site such as CasinoLooker to filter poker sites by region and legality. This can save you a lot of time by showing you only the sites that are licensed in your area and have good reputations for soft competition. Then, you can focus on learning the rules of the game and finding out which strategies will help you win in the long run. Then, when you’re ready to move on to real money, you can pick the best site for you.