Learning To Play Poker On Top Poker Sites

By Author: Kacy Suther
Total Articles: 223
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Poker is a conglomeration of games rolled into what is now one of the most popular games in the world. It is the great-grandchild, so to speak, of the French game "Poque" and the German game "Pochen," which were played widely through Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. These were the first real gambling games, as they utilized cards, betting, and bluffing - all of the elements necessary for our modern version of "Poker." Poker initially became popularized on Mississippi river boats before reaching saloons in the West, and from then on continued to develop into the many versions that we use today.

Well, times do change, don't they? And with the internet touching every element of our lives, it only makes sense that poker, too, would follow suit. There are now a dozen top poker sites to consult, with free poker money available on many of them. These are real poker games, in the sense that you are playing against other real players in other parts of the country or the world. This is to the particular advantage of those who have little or no experience and who wish to gain some before venturing into a face-to-face game ...
... at a "real" table. Being online gives a person the perfect opportunity to learn the game inside and out, as well, in all of its forms. A free poker site is the quickest and easiest way to learn basic techniques, without feeling awkward in front of other more experienced players. Once a person masters online poker, they can move on to table poker with the only thing left to learn being the "tells" of his opponent. And since the tells, or non-verbal clues to the hand someone is holding, vary from player to player, a person has to learn them every time they sit down with someone new anyway.

As with most new things, you probably won't be terribly good at poker when you first start. Practice, persistence, and patience are essential. One of the most popular forms of poker is Texas Hold 'Em, and this an ideal one to begin with. This version can teach you all the skills needed to become a good player - betting technique (when to hold and when to fold), blinds and how to use them to your advantage, and also how to take advantage of bad bets from other players. There is also plenty of room for bluffing in Texas Hold 'Em, which is always a money-maker if you learn to use it well. Stud and Five Card Draw are other popular forms of poker but they require a higher level of betting skill, which is why Hold 'Em is ideal for beginners.

To learn the basics of poker, find a free poker site that you feel comfortable with. Go online and look for top poker sites and see where it leads you. There are many trustworthy sites with clear instructions to help you get started, and then you're on the road to fun and, if you're good enough, profit. The best thing about about many of the sites available is the free poker money - you get to practice for little or no initial investment. Once you've gotten good at it, you can have the best of both worlds and play online as well as at the casino, and provide yourself with hours of fun in the process.