Poker is a game with a rich and storied history. From its debated origins as the Persian game “As-Nas” or the French “Poque”, to its incredible legacy as a staple of the Old West, poker is not only captivating as a game but also for its fascinating historical significance.
And since poker has not only stood the test of time but recently exploded into mainstream popularity, there is always a new generation of players coming up and getting into the game. When playing at a site like WPT online as a new player, there are a few things you should know before ever sitting down:
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The Differences from Live Play
Just because you might be new to online poker doesn’t necessarily mean that you are new to the game. If you have experience with brick-and-mortar poker in casinos or card rooms, you will most likely find the online game to have quite a few noticeable differences.
For instance, there are no visual or physical tells you can rely on. Additionally, it is much easier to make a betting mistake by misclicking on your screen. Another key difference is the play is much faster, requiring quicker decision-making and action.
Understanding the Game Variants
Poker has a number of different variants. While Hold ‘Em and Omaha are hands down the most popular, there are several other games, including:
- Razz
- 7 Card Stud
- 5 Card Draw
- 5 Card Stud
- PLO8
Although tournaments aren’t a game variant within themselves, they are played with a completely different strategy and bankroll management system than you would use in cash games.
Managing Your Online Bankroll
Managing your bankroll takes much more discipline online than it does in live play. Sites like WPT online play much faster than real-world tables. Also, the fact that you can play multiple tables at one time means that more of your bankroll is at risk in any given session. It is recommended that you have at least 25 buy-ins for cash and 40 buy-ins for tournaments.
Focusing Your Poker Study on the Online Game
There are a lot of great tutorials, videos, books, and other resources geared specifically towards online poker strategy. With so many subtle and major differences from the live game, it is important that you develop good habits right from the start.
Learning to Practice Discipline and Patience
With the fast pace of the game, and the oftentimes looser play, bad beats can seem like they come more frequently. This is especially true when you are multi-tabling. You must learn to avoid emotion-based decision-making. If you need to, get up from the game for a while to avoid going on tilt.
Playing Poker in the 21st Century with WPT Online
Now that you are up to speed on some of the most important aspects of the online game, there’s nothing left to do but log on or download the app and get in on the action. Whether it’s cash Omaha or tournament Hold ‘Em, you will have no issues finding the action you want.
