Online Poker Games Offers Strategy at a Great Price

Filed Under Poker |

Okay, what is better than learning something at a cheap price? How about learning it for free? That’s what I found out when trying to strengthen my poker strategies without having to lose all of my money in the process.

How did I do it, you ask?

Well, it all started when my friend who is a poker buff wanted me to learn the game. I told him that I already knew the basics from playing the game on my aunt’s old computer in the 90s. He told me, however, that things had drastically changed since the days of playing against the computer. Now there were online tournaments that allowed you to play against real people. I was really reluctant to try because I knew I had no strategies at all, but decided to give it a try.

I downloaded this free game call Poker Stars per his request because he said it’s one of the better ones out there - and if you get in one of their more serious tournaments and do well, you have a chance of playing in the game’s real-life World Series worth tons of money. Of course I had no interest in going that far with it, but I thought it would be interesting to play against real people for a change.

I started out with the free money they gave me and played Texas Hold ‘Em games. Of course, I quickly lost the money, so he shuttled me over some of the millions in imaginary money he’d won. Initially, we would make sure to visit the same rooms so that he could sit with me over the phone and coach me through hands. But after a while (a short while at that) I began really understanding the game and strategizing well, and quickly began beating his hands. After that, I began going in and playing by myself, winning money left and right.

So, was I a World Series Champion?

Not hardly. After a few times playing the more serious players, I lost most of my money and retreated to the easier tournaments. But what I did (and do) get out of my experience with the game is the opportunity to learn strategies against real players - novice and expert - so that my game can continue to strengthen without ever having to spend a dime.

Now don’t get me wrong. The pressure of playing poker with fake money behind a computer screen is by no means any match for playing in person against people who know how to bluff and read your face to make their decisions. But what I found is that all players had to start somewhere; does it matter that you started by getting in your first game at your friend’s house or behind a computer screen with more experienced players. Playing any real-life poker game requires nerve, and the skill comes with time. So if you’ve learned a few strategies by playing online, you may actually come with an advantage that those learning at someone’s house don’t.

Something to think about.