Do People Make Money Playing Online Poker?

 About Online Poker

Online poker is a far more accessible game than standard land-based casino poker; you can leave when you want, stop games, withdraw when you see fit and ultimately turn up and play whenever you want to. It's still poker however there are many adjustments that need to be made when moving from the live arena to the world of online. A frequently asked question is how easy it is to make money playing online poker?

The short answer is yes, and considerable amounts at that. That doesn't mean that everyone makes money, quite the opposite. The vast majority lose when playing online. There will be many contributing factors as to why this is and I would argue that a large number of these players would likely lose playing live also. I would even go as far as to say that a large proportion of these players wouldn't play live. Many are just recreational players and favor the ease of the internet game. Additionally, many don't consider themselves good enough to play live. The fact of the matter is that there are far fewer players who venture into the live game area. In playing online, there is the benefit of player anonymity, and to some this is highly appealing. Rather than hide behind the fact that you don't need to look into a players eyes when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar or make a cringeworthy play, it's important to apply the same level of control to your game and emotions. As such, if you can play a winning game online, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to play a winning game in live cash games or tournaments.

The fact that only a small proportion of players make any money online, begs the question, why? It's fairly simple, there are too many players who simply don't take the time to learn the game. It's a game of skill and as with any skill game, the skills are hones and developed over time. To get you started on the right tracks, here are some simple things that you can do to improve your online game.

Bankroll Management..

One of the most important aspects of playing at an online poker site is that you need to make sure you are well bankrolled and this means having a large stack of cash or chips to fall back on should you run bad. The game sees continual swings and with the element of luck the game brings, more often than not the end result won't go your way, even when you're an enormous favorite for it to do so. The business aspect of gambling is no different when playing online poker. The fact that there are virtual chips doesn't make the money any less real.

Now that we understand that you will sometimes lose as an overwhelming favorite and fluke cards to win when you appeared to be dead in the water, we must protect against these runs. To do this you should limit yourself to not taking more than 10% of your bankroll to the table at any one time (or buying into a tournament at more than 10% of your bankroll). This will mean that when you have a bad run you don't go broke. Remember, it's easier to part with virtual chips than real cash.

Find an attractive welcome bonus..

Most companies offer some sort of bonus or promotion to get your business and online poker rooms are no different. Regardless of how much you play, you have nothing to lose. With most bonuses, the more poker you play, the more you earn. Most online sites offer freerolls for new players and this can be a great way to help build your bankroll.

Don't worry about affiliate links on sites advertising poker rooms. They don't take a cut of anything you would get. They are paid directly from the poker room for referring your business (which is separate from your bonus offer).

Play Games and excel..

There are many variants of online poker that can be played. Obviously it should be fairly clear that you should not take unnecessary risks playing any online poker game that you aren't familiar with, especially for cash. Learn a game and excel at it before you branch out. If you try to take on too many games at once, you will likely never be successful at any of them, not really a trait of winning players. Use the free tables to practice games and do your homework. Watch televised shows and read books on the game. If you do play for cash, start low and crush the game at that level before moving up - always know when to call it quits. It is critical that you don't wager more than you can afford and if a good winning streak comes to an end and you lose a few hands, understand that it is okay to pull out.

Make decisions for a reason..

This is an important one and one that is often overlooked. I see new players online who try to emulate the type of poker they see on TV without knowing why they're playing that way. If you're going to raise a pot, have a plan. What do you do if they call? How many bullets are you going to fire at the pot? Take calculated risks, never make a play unless you know why you're making the play. Raising every hand as you see other people do it isn't going to reward you, you will be playing too many hands and will need to be continuation betting a lot to make any money. Up against good players this isn't going to be a good move as they will be wise to your moves pretty quick.

Understand your opponents and have a plan as to which players you're going to avoid, which ones to target and what your starting hand requirements are. Your game needs the same control and discipline as it would in a live game.

Practice, Practice, Practice..

Mastering any subject takes time, fact. Don't expect to take to the tables and instantly crush the game, this isn't generally how it works. The same is true for any sport or game, and even the top players put in the grind to get to the level they play at. Much of poker is instinctive and this instinct is nurtured over time.

Additionally, you will need to constantly make adjustments to your game. If something isn't working, recognize that something isn't right and look to put it right. There are too many players that just press on in the hope that things will turn themselves around, nine times out of 10, they don't! They just become another losing statistic. Practice your game and keep learning and adjusting until you are playing a winning game.

A final thought..

Hopefully these tips will help keep you on the right track. Remember that you'll be up against players that have considerably more experience than you. Playing online allows you to track players and use tools that are available to help your game. Make use of these tools and keep notes on players, in the event you run into them in the future, they'll prove useful.

How to Play Blackjack and Basic Strategy

How to Play Blackjack and Basic Strategy
Blackjack is a very simple game. You want to make a hand with a higher total than the dealer but still less than or equal to 21 points (when player or dealer goes over 21, they "bust" and lose the hand).
Cards are valued as follows:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 - worth that number of points.
Ten, Jack, Queen, King - all worth ten points.
Are worth 1 OR 11, whichever is better for your hand at that time (aces can and do change from 11 to 1 to avoid busting.
A hand including an ace counted as 11 is known as a soft total (because you can hit without any risk of busting).
Play starts by you making a bet and then receiving two cards. If these are an ace and a ten-point card (ten, jack, queen, king) then be smile, you have a Blackjack and will be paid out at 1.5 - 1 (3 to 2) unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case the hand is a "push" (tie) and your bet is returned.
You'll get a blackjack about 1/21 times. The rest of the time you have to decide what to do with your hand based on its value and the dealer's upcard (one of the dealer's cards is dealt face up).
If the dealer's face up card is an Ace then you will be offered "Insurance". This is a 2:1 bet that the dealer has blackjack (his face-down card is a ten pointer). This is a sucker bet unless you are counting cards, so just decline it and we can move on.
The dealer also checks for blackjack if he has a ten showing, but insurance is not usually offered (since he would have to have an ace as his other card to make the blackjack).
If the dealer has a blackjack (whether or not you took insurance) and you do not have a blackjack, then you lose. If you both have blackjack then you tie.
But most of the time, the dealer will not have blackjack and you will get to play your hand.
The first decision to make (if the casino offers it) is "Surrender". Like the name suggests, this choice allows you to escape the hand by forfeiting half your bet. It is only a good idea to surrender hands which have a less than 25% chance of winning. Our basic strategy table includes advice on which hands to surrender.
If you have been dealt a pair, then you have the option of splitting the pair. You match your original bet and then create two new hands, each with one card of the original pair and one new card. This is a way of escaping bad totals (16 and 14) and getting more money on the table against unfavourable dealer cards (especially a 6). There are slight variations about how many times you are allowed to split and whether you are allowed to double after splitting but the basic idea is the same. Although you are allowed to split any two ten value cards, this is a bad idea - 20 is too good a total to give up. Our basic strategy table will tell you which pairs to split.
If you don't want to surrender or split, you have the option of doubling down. This play allows you to double your initial bet but you must take one (and only one) more card. Our basic strategy table tells you when the double down is the right play.
Assuming none of these special options appeal to you, you are left with the basic choice of blackjack - Hit or Stand.
Hitting means drawing one more card to try and improve the total of your hand. If you hit and go over a total of 21, then you bust and lose regardless of what the dealer holds.
Standing means that you are happy with your total, and want to see what happens when the dealer plays.
So, now that you are done with your hand / hands, it's the dealer's turn. The dealer will look at his hand and follow the house rules. Generally these are "dealer hits on 16 [or less] and stands on 17 [or more]". Some casinos allow the dealer to hit a soft 17 (a soft total is one that includes an ace that counts as 11) but either way, the dealer has strict rules to follow.
This guide has used the term "basic strategy" a few times. Basic strategy is a set of rules designed so you can make the best possible play on every decision you make. It has been perfected over dozens of years, and minimizes the house advantage.

Do You Really Want to Win Blackjack?

Do You Really Want to Win Blackjack?
Sometimes answer is complicated as compared to question or vice versa, but it is the reverse case with blackjack. For example, if a question is asked that which casino banking game is the most widely played game in the whole world, then answer will be trivial i.e. blackjack. However, the crucial factor that needs to be addressed is that how to play blackjack. Your correct moves and game strategy let you quell the game. Blackjack does not include any topsy-turvy rules, you just need to decide when to hit and when to stand.
Blackjack strategy is the only thing that can take your game to zenith. The first thing that player needs to understand is the rules of the games. If you are certain that you are erudite pertaining to rules of the games, memorize the basic strategy of the game. Before you start playing blackjack, you should know how to play blackjack. The card value for different cards is different. For face card it is 10, for numbered card it is the corresponding number value and for Ace it is either 11 or 1. Being the Player, you start your game by placing a bet against Dealer.
Once you have started the game, you have two options- either to draw or to bet. Every player can draw using the basic drawing options that are Hit and Stand. However, if the player wishes to continue the game, he/she uses the advanced betting options. You may use these options in order to Split, Surrender, Insurance and Double Down.
The next imperative thing to understand is the blackjack strategy. If you are playing online, things are not eerie. However, the things get convoluted when it comes to casinos. Choosing the right table is indispensable. You should always ensure pleasant ambiance that facilitates you with the opportunity to play your best and correct moves. Next crucial thing that you should always take care of is the bankroll. Quit, if the game is going against you. Definitely, card counting gives you an extra vantage point. Using this lucid strategy, you can certainly surmise about your and dealer's game. For example, card counting let you decide the drawing or betting option seeing the remaining cards.
The complexity arises when you have to surmise about the face down card of the dealer. Dealers are usually experts and conjure easily. However, to make a correct move, you should assume that the dealer's face down card is ten. For example, if the dealer receives a card of value six or seven, the chances of dealer being busted are surely increased. You should always ensure your victory chances by getting closer to sum of 21. You may use the online strategies, tables and charts to edify yourself with basic and advanced strategies of blackjack.

Play Poker Online - Learning the Ins And Outs

Play Poker Online - Learning the Ins And Outs
Top professional gamblers who play poker online can make a mint of money, the best of them accruing millions of dollars in winnings.
But, even the less-experienced player can have fun, and pocket some winnings. In fact, if you're a complete beginner, it's an excellent way of learning the game, for you can test the waters by using one of the free, no-deposit bonuses available, gently progressing to lower-stake games.
So, let's take a look at some of the benefits of online poker over offline poker, and also consider a few steps you'll need to take in order to make your online experience safer, more enjoyable and, hopefully, more profitable!
Benefits of Online Poker


One major benefit is that you don't need to keep poker-faced all the time! Nobody will see your expression, so you can let out all your feelings of pleasure, excitement, doubt and disappointment.

Online poker is just so convenient! No need to dress up, travel far, or wait for a place to come free. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, giving you heaps of time to win - or lose! - a small fortune.

When playing online poker, you'll discover there are several software tools available to help improve your play. You just wouldn't be able to benefit from these if you were playing in an actual casino! To take a simple example... a card keeper is an easy-to-use application which allows you to mark off cards that have been played in a single-deck game.

Those of you new to poker can get the feel of the game by making use of free, no-deposit bonuses. Many online casinos also offer high bonuses but, for these, you'll normally need to make a deposit.

Less experienced players can join in low-stakes games and use them to build up their ability, experience, and confidence.


Things To Watch


As with everything else on the Internet, care must be taken over security. Before playing on any site, do check contact details and financial safety. Also, carry out searches on the Internet to ensure the site of your choice has a good track record and reputation, receiving favorable reviews.

Are you inexperienced or completely new to playing poker? Then do read up on the game before you start to play, and learn a few basic strategies. That way, you should soon manage to win a few hands in some of the lower-stake games.

When using bonuses, make sure you read and fully understand the terms and conditions which apply.

Choose an online casino which offers a variety of both poker games and stake levels.


And, that's it! You're now all set to play poker online!

Increasing Your Chances of Winning Using the Blackjack Strategy Card - Blackjack Strategy Chart

Increasing Your Chances of Winning Using the Blackjack Strategy Card - Blackjack Strategy Chart
If you want to learn about blackjack strategy card tips, then read this. You will learn why it is important to use blackjack strategy chart if you aim to win big.
Knowing how to use the blackjack strategy card will increase your chances of beating the blackjack dealer. To beat the dealer is the primary aim of the game. Many of the regular players of this card game use a strategy card because they believe that this will help them in winning at casino blackjack. Although this casino card game is very beatable, we still need to learn how to use the strategy card to aid us in making accurate decisions.
The purpose of the strategy cards is to develop an up-to-date and user-friendly blackjack game guide. Often times, this is called the blackjack matrix. To the beginners, the matrix may be a little confusing. But once you have already constantly reading the contents, it will become easier to comprehend. It should be used whenever you are playing the game so that in time, you will already have it memorized.
In the matrix you will see all the different possibilities and odds that you will encounter during the game. Before you study the matrix, you need to understand that there are three types of hands which you might have when the cards are dealt. The "hard hands" is what you call your cards without an Ace. If you have an Ace that counts as 1, that is called the "soft hands". "Pairs" is term used to call identical cards. When you have a pair, you have the option to split them two become two individual hands. But, you can still play with it as one hand, if you prefer. If you know this, then you are ready to study the blackjack strategy card.
In the strategy cards or matrix, you will know what to do in whatever your situation is basing on the type of hands you are dealt with. Take note that this system will not always ensure your victory; instead, it will only increase your chances. As soon as you get familiar with the matrix, bringing this inside the casinos will no longer be needed. You can bring this when you play blackjack if you want to. Most of the casinos allow the use of strategy cards during the game. These are sometimes called the cheat sheets. Although, most of the casinos allow using this, it would be polite to ask casino employees if the use of cheat sheets is OK or not.
When you know the different odds basing on the matrix, you will be able to make good decisions in terms of increasing bets. Making decisions when placing bets is important in every gambling game because making the wrong bets can lead players to their great loss of money. It is even better to have a betting strategy in place before going to casinos so that everything will run smoothly as you play and enjoy casino blackjack. Always remember that the blackjack strategy card will not make you win the game but it will only guide you.

Chasing Blackjack Bonuses at Online Casinos

Chasing Blackjack Bonuses at Online Casinos
Blackjack is easily one of the most popular games for USA online casinos players. And while most web casinos offer great sign-up bonuses, you may not be able to clear your sign-up bonus by playing blackjack. If you're a blackjack enthusiast, you will have to look for special blackjack bonuses or casinos that allow you to clear your sign-up bonus by playing blackjack. The terms for clearing bonuses may not be very prominently displayed on a site. Often they are not on the home page and you may have to poke around the sitemap to find the bonus terms. But it's the only way to be sure as to what your play-through requirements are for clearing your sign-up bonus.
Why do so many US online casinos exclude blackjack bonuses? Partly it has to do with the low house edges with blackjack and the inability to prevent card counting by online players (though using continuously-shuffled eight-deck shoes of cards considerably cuts down on the utility of card counting). If you can meet your bonus requirements playing blackjack, however, it's a good way to build up your initial bankroll if you're competent at basic blackjack strategy.
In fact, blackjack bonus hunting has become a popular pastime among US online casinos players of blackjack. The best players can make steady money at it with very little risk. The practice involves creating a new account with an online casino solely to take advantage of their blackjack bonuses. It is not uncommon to find 100% deposit match bonuses, which allow a player to get $500 in chips for a $250 initial deposit. Of course, you can't just immediately cash out. Casinos have different rules about rolling the money over a certain number of times before you can withdraw bonus money. But blackjack players using optimal blackjack strategy can and do come out ahead at the casinos where they can get blackjack bonuses.
Bonuses come with other stipulations too. For example, only rarely can USA casino players online use their bonuses to bet on roulette, because it's too simple to hedge bets with roulette. But if you find one of those rare casinos that allows roulette to count toward the play-through requirements, it may be one of your best ways of clearing the requirement and cashing out your bonus.
Even on the sites that allow US players and have blackjack bonuses, it's very important that you read the bonus terms and conditions carefully. If there is something in them you don't understand, you can often reach live customer support over the phone or through live chat and ask them to clarify it for you.
Blackjack will always be a top casino game, regardless of the presence or absence of blackjack bonuses. It's fast-paced, exciting, and involves skill as well as luck, and the house edges are generally low (except for on certain specialty bets, such as the "insurance" bet). Finding a casino offering blackjack bonuses is great news to a blackjack enthusiast. But even the casinos that don't offer blackjack bonuses offer the excitement and the low house edges, and have thriving blackjack operations.

Free Blackjack Online - Learn to Play and Earn Rewards

Free Blackjack Online - Learn to Play and Earn Rewards
Learning the basics and strategies in playing Blackjack on line comes first with familiarizing with basic rules of the game. The main objective of the game is to beat the dealer by having 21 total of card value or a value higher than the dealer has.
General golden rules of basic strategy in playing Blackjack are formulated by the researchers and statisticians to help players learn how to play and win blackjack. These strategies are applicable on specific blackjack situation, guidelines on when to hit or stand, and recommends further options like splitting and doubling down.
The player should stand on 12 if the dealer's up card is 6 or lower. Hit when you have 17 if the dealer's card is up by 7 or higher. Stand on soft 18 or more, hit with soft 17 or less and always split a pair of aces and 8's. If the dealer has 7's or less, split with pair of 7's. Never take insurance and if your card is higher than the dealer's up card, double down on 10/11. Knowing this basic strategies will help your way in attaining the prize and play for another round or so. However, many are still experiencing con and loss.
It is important to know all the options in preventing odds and choosing the right online casino to prevent occurrence of loss and frustration. Observe if the pattern of reshuffles is randomized. Some online casinos are audited and checked if reshuffles are made unbiased. It is good for the establishment to sustain good reputation. It is better for the players to make sure that they're at the right site.
If you're a newbie or a beginner, and have no any idea of the basics, there is free blackjack online offered by online casinos. This is the best way to learn how to play blackjack without having high risk of loss. It is easier to win at blackjack online because it offers low house edge unlike on casinos. Players also have the chance to lower the edge by implementing blackjack strategies. Free blackjack online can be accessed instantly using flash and downloads. It is important to consider the quality of the game to give more fun and better experience.
You can learn how to play and implement basic strategies in playing free online blackjack. Once your skills are enhanced, rewards are most likely to come. Then sooner, you can play with blackjack involving real money leading to more prizes, bonuses and promotions. This includes cash, free blackjack online games increasing bankrolls and extra time for gaming with this popular game.
You can also play with live dealer real time at a comfortable place. All you just need is an internet connection, computer device and deposit. It increases the level of fun and excitement, also it lives a feeling that you're in a real environment of a casino.