Addressing the Canny Investor

If you are just playing poker online for the first time, here are 10 easy tips to help you get started: 1. Do a little research before hand. There are a lot of websites you can play at. Visit a poker review site, and read their recommendations of where are the best places to play. The reviews will also give you ideas as to what level of players are on the site. 2. Take advantage of sign-up bonuses. Some poker sites will double whatever money you initially deposit into your account. (If you deposit $100, they will match your deposit and give you another $100). 3. Be prepared to set up a third party money account (like PayPal.Com) before you can play. Sometimes setting up one of these accounts can take a few days. Whichever website you decide to play on should have information and links to these sites for you. One of the most trusted names is Neteller.Com. 4. Pick a screen name that you like. If you’re a woman and you want to pick an anonymous name, go for it! Be aware that your screen name can say a lot about you play, so be careful. 5. Once you get set up, start playing with points (not money), so you can adjust to the pace of the game and the site’s features. It is truly a learning process–be patient with yourself. 6. Don’t develop bad habits…like multi-tasking while you play. Don’t eat, watch TV, read your mail, or talk on the phone while you play. Soon you’ll find yourself folding a great hand and raising with garbage. Focus on the game. 7. Don’t forget that you are playing with REAL MONEY! Just because you can’t see the cash coming off your credit card, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Online poker players make this mistake until they are bankrupt. Set limits and stick to them. 8. Read some books on playing poker online. You should never neglect a proper poker education. Even if you’ve read regular poker strategy books, online play is in a class by itself. You’ll want to study specific of online play. 9. Online poker, because of the quick pace of the game, will magnify your poker strengths and weaknesses. If you are impatient, too aggressive, or unable to fold on the river, this will end up running you over. 10. Take notes on your opponents. If you play long enough, you’ll see the same screen names over and over again. While we can easily recall faces, remembering how RicoSuave79 played 3 weeks ago can be more challenging. Keeping organized notes will also give you something to do during the game’s down time that isn’t distracting. GOOD LUCK!