How To Win at Online Poker

Posted by Harry Kane on Thursday, April 27, 2017

While online slots may be the dominant driver of online casino gameplay (and account for up to 80% of all virtual transactions), video poker remains synonymous with platforms across the globe.

This is because it was video poker games that first distinguished the online gaming proposition more than a decade ago, while it remains a favourite among skilled and experienced players to this day.

Make no mistake; however, succeeding at online poker requires a unique blend of skill, knowledge and intuition that can be hard to come by. In this article, we will look at what it takes to win at online poker on a regular basis:

1. Understand the Unique Nature of Online Poker

In general terms, online poker is far-removed from other games as it requires players to compete against each other rather than the house. So while the house edge for various iterations of online poker vary between 1% and 10%, it is more important to consider the depth, range and skill-set of your opponents if you are to succeed.

This requires an agile mind, as unlike the house your individual opponents will change depending on the poker variation or live tournament that you are participating in.

Understanding this challenge is key, however, as it means that you will develop flexible strategies that adapt to individual players rather than the house as a whole.

2. Use Data to Plot Your Success

On a similar note, it is also important to identify the competitive advantages that can help you to optimise your chances of success. After all, you can no longer read the physical tells of your rivals to shape your strategy, so you must seek out alternative methods of driving your gameplay.

More specifically, you should leverage data to understand the different philosophies of your opponents and pre-empt how they will react in specific circumstances.

Most online casinos include data pertaining to each individual player, and analysing this will help you to comprehend their style, gauge their appetite for risk and determine the type of bankroll that they possess.

Such insight can make the difference between success and failure, particularly in live tournaments where the stakes are high.

3. Choose Your Game Wisely and Play the Hand That You Are Dealt

Above all else, it is important to remember that poker is a game of skill, whether you play online or in a corporeal setting. This means that you must choose your precise iteration of poker wisely, as this will ensure that you select a title that optimises your chances of success over time.

Once you have selected the variation of poker that you would like to play, the next step is to get the fundamental aspects of gameplay right.

This means simplifying your strategy and playing the hand that you have been dealt where possible, as attempting to bluff or read the intentions of rival players is challenging in a virtual casino (even allowing for use of data).

This also helps you to get the most from your bankroll, and not become obsessed with the notion of bluffing and playing psychological games.