Directory of Online Poker Rooms & Hottest Tips for Players
Online poker rooms may not be as abundant as online casinos, but still, there’s more than enough to get a player confused. What we all know is that most gambling sites look utterly attractive on the surface, but a book is not to be judged by its covers.
For that reason, it is very important to be aware of certain factors that need to be taken into account when making up your mind between multiple sites. Game variety, traffic, promotions, and bonuses, as well as your skill levels all play important roles in the selection procedure.
Talking about land-based premises, the choice is much simpler, as people mostly visit rooms that are in their neighborhood, provided that there are any at all, or go to the nearest city. This goes for the vast majority of recreational players, whereas poker pros are ready to travel all over the world in search of the best and most rewarding tournaments.
When it comes to online poker rooms, there’s no need to pack bags and make thorough preparations, as everything is done from the comfort of your home. Or on the move, using some of the portable gadgets.
In this guide, we will compare the advantages and disadvantages of land-based and online poker rooms, after which we’ll give you a handful of great tips on how to find a perfect online poker site. Keep reading!
Land-based VS Online Poker- Main Features Compared
Most of us will agree that the genuine atmosphere of land-based poker rooms is something that no internet-based platform, no matter how well-equipped, can easily beat, if at all.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with other poker aficionados, truly makes one feel special, doesn’t it? However, that’s precisely what may seem too terrifying to newbie players, which is why they will rather opt to stick with web-based variants of games.
Let’s compare some of the main similarities and differences:
- Etiquette
We all know that being rude, mean, and swearing is classified as bad manners. Crumpling cards or throwing them at your opponents, verbally abusing the dealer or other participants is unacceptable as well, yet temperamental people find it difficult to control such habits.
When playing at a land-based poker room, one must follow certain rules and rigorous poker etiquette, however that’s something not everyone is ready to abide by. Just to make it clear, some guidelines exist even when playing online, but the pressure is not as high.
- Regulations and Security
Different countries have different rules regarding the legal status of casino games. No same rules are applied to online and brick-and-mortar sectors. On top of that, different rules are in place for different game genres, so each player needs to inquire about their country’s individual laws.
Interestingly, the United States is the region with the most poker players, but it’s not legal in all states. A relatively small number of states has this game fully regulated and legalized.
What comes as a universal rule is that only licensed rooms should end up among “worth-visiting destinations”. Pushing luck with uncertified rooms and sites on the gray list can bring no good to anyone. As a matter of fact, it can only result in empty pockets, and without a chance to seek your rights and winnings.
- Anti-Fraud Measures
When cards are dealt by a human dealer, chances for mistakes are significantly higher, which may impose additional stress on players during a game or a tournament. In online poker rooms, operators use software that relies on Random Number Generator (RNG), making the gaming session less prone to fraud and cheating.
- Availability of Games
Depending on the location, and the size, a land-based poker room may be equipped with some basic games or it may have a couple of more specific poker-based games. Ordinary ones include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and similar, while those with wealthier selection can include Seven-card Stud, Five-card draw, High Low Chicago, Pai Gow poker, Razz, and so on.
The reason why the selection is significantly smaller and limited compared to online sites is simple- the lack of room. Especially if the room is part of a traditional casino that hosts other games, such as slot machines, Blackjack, Roulette, etc.
Interactive platforms don’t have to worry about that as they can accommodate hundreds or thousands of games. What’s even more, they can offer some authentic releases that exist in online format only, giving poker players a chance to experience something new.
Also, taking about availability, one needs to take working hours into account as well. A predominant number of land-based venues have limited working hours, plus they are often closed on holidays. On the other hand, interactive platforms are available 24/7 throughout the entire year, so players can check out their favorite game any time they want, day or night, regardless of the time zone.
- Opportunity to Exercise
When playing a game in a land-based casino, regardless of the specific type (slot games, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, video poker, etc), you invest the money, play a game, and win/lose, and that’s it. No second chances, unless you invest more money.
On the other hand, interactive gambling platforms allow you to exercise as much as you want- courtesy of demo mode. It’s the best way to boost your knowledge, exercise different strategies, and take your skills to an upper level, without having to spend any cash. When you feel that you are ready, you can simply switch to real money mode or visit the nearest poker room.
In the end, everything boils down to individual preferences, which is why it’s hard to tell which of these two is better. Both come with certain pros and cons, so it’s up to a player to decide which scenario fits them more.
How to Find the Best Online Poker Room?
As the focus of this article is poker rooms found on the internet, the following guidelines are meant to simplify your quest on the internet.
- The Selection of Games
Texas Hold'em represents something of a “must-have” even for rooms with a relatively small selection of games. It’s a type of game that every poker player must experience, and the one whose popularity hasn’t decreased over time, which is why it has the status of an all-time classic.
Other options found in online casinos all over the globe include Five Card Draw, Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride, Razz, and Pai Gow Poker other interesting poker variants offered by operators.
- Individual Skill Levels
Players who are just getting started with poker will stick with less complicated and basic poker games. They will also appreciate the opportunity to refine their game by using cool tools such as Texas Hold’em Calculator or Omaha Calculator, to have a better understanding of how a game works. A chance to learn more about poker hand probabilities will also help them upgrade their skills.
On the other hand, those who’ve already mastered the basics will certainly be interested in more challenging games. Such players will stick with platforms focused on poker only, compared to those featuring multiple game genres.
- Rakes and Fees
Rake is the scaled commission fee and it varies from 2.5% to 10% of the pot in each poker hand, up to a predetermined maximum amount. An entry fee is usually paid to take part in a tournament, spanning from as little as a few cents to up to thousands of dollars. Some competitions incur no fees but have certain rules for the withdrawal of winnings.
As there’s no universal rule that can be applied to every single room and every single type of game/ contest, players are advised to inquire about those at their earliest convenience. Also, it’s important to compare the fees and rakes across different rooms, so to evaluate which one fits your individual needs and budget.
- Promotions and Bonuses
Incentives are greatly appreciated among consumers as they give them additional chances to extend their gaming sessions. They usually come in the form of welcome offers, cashback offers, bonuses on subsequent deposits, tournament tickets, special deals for high rollers, and so on.
Keep in mind that some regulators have stringent policies on promotional packages. If an online poker room hasn’t got any, chances are the local regulations forbid them.
- License
Online casinos, bingo rooms, and poker sites usually have licenses displayed at the footer, in the form of a clickable seal, so that players can verify the status any time they want. If no such thing is found, it may be a red flag, so proceed with caution, or even better, look for an alternative.
- Customer Support
When things go wrong, it’s great to know that there’s someone out there who can help you resolve it. For communication to be maximally smooth, it is essential to have as many different channels of communication as possible- live chat, e-mail, and phone. A huge plus is if a platform features a well-organized FAQ section, blogs, tutorials, and similar.
The tips we gave you here can serve as some sort of checklist for you. This entire procedure could take between 10-20 minutes of your time, which is not much, compared to what you get in return. After all, as time goes by, your experience will grow, so the evaluation procedure will require less and less time.
Gamble responsibly!
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