7 Tips for Excelling on Popular Free Poker Apps
Poker looms large in the American cultural zeitgeist. From literal rock star players like Slash and Lemmy through to movies like Oceans Eleven and Casino Royale, almost everyone has been exposed to the game at some point in their lives. Even if you haven’t played, you’re likely to have seen the classic paintings of dogs playing poker, or similar pop culture references.
Yet when it comes to learning to play poker themselves people often have reservations. For instance, they might be afraid of looking stupid or even confused about the legality of online poker where they live.
In reality, though, none of these reasons are valid ones for delaying your entry into the world of poker. Popular apps give new players the chance to dive into the world of Hold’em and Omaha, learn the lingo, boost their skills, and learn the ropes without risking any of their hard-earned cash.
1 – Use Play Money to Begin With
Free-play online poker apps like Zynga Poker, World Series of Poker, and Poker Heat are among some of the top mobile gaming apps on the App Store. They allow players to compete in the same way that you would a real casino or a virtual one, but without laying down their real-world currency. Instead, contests are given chips, and fake capital called ‘play money’.
While all of these apps are great entry points into online poker, you’ll enjoy their game best once you’ve begun to learn the ropes. If you’re playing for money then it’s advisable to have a solid foundation of experience in the game – so be sure to use the play money for a while before graduating to cash.
2 – Remove Distractions
Your first starting point with online poker should be to create a setting where you feel comfortable and free from distractions. Online poker can be great for lunch breaks, or the evening time when you’re less likely to be distracted by other commitments. Otherwise, switch your cell to aeroplane mode and get stuck in.
3 – Prepare Yourself
If you’ve raised the stakes to bring real money to the table then your hardware mustn’t let you down. Having a strong internet connection and a phone that can run the app without any hitches along the way is critical. Deleting old photos or apps that you’ve rarely used can help free up some space and allow your cell to run faster.
4 – Spot the Difference
Online poker apps often have unique features. This could be in-app purchases for bonus content, a live chat display, or actual gaming differences. For instance, many online poker games have a time bank which means you only have a set period to make a decision. Understanding the platform and the app itself is key to a good result.
5 – Avoid Multi-Tabling
In online poker, you can often play more than one table at a time. However, if you want to excel then you don’t want to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. If you’re new to online poker then it makes sense to concentrate your efforts in one place before you find the confidence to take on multiple games at once.
6 – Take a Refresher
If you’re coming unstuck then it might be time to revisit some of the basics. It pays to spend some time brushing up on the rules and even those who know how to play already may find it helpful to have a brief refresher before they begin. A brief study of beginner poker tips will help you to feel confident enough that you understand the rules and key strategies.
7 – Keep Records
The best online poker players are slaves to spreadsheets. Logging how long you’ve been playing and which types of games you’ve done well at or struggled with can be a rewarding practice. Analyzing our playing habits with spreadsheet apps can help us to spot patterns and learn from our mistakes.
Anyone can be a winner on online poker apps if they are willing to put in the work. Practice these seven tips and see what you can achieve!