First step: choosing a poker room

The first challenge for any beginning poker player has always been and will always be choosing the right poker room. The problem arises not only because some poker rooms are not worthy of serious players but also because each poker room, besides players and game conditions, has its own set of features and even more nuances that affect game play significantly.

The majority of new players can’t even define the main differences between poker rooms and so they have to make a blind choice. It is therefore a good idea to highlight the main principles of poker room selection before you start playing.

1. Integrity: A gambling establishment’s principle that reflects the level of trust of the poker room’s clientele and the quality of its reputation. You may notice that poker rooms with a tarnished reputation promise ultra-beneficial bonuses and tournaments with unimaginable prize pools. Trust such a poker room only at the beginning of your game as a tough prophylactic. In this case, it would be rational to use data from the World Wide Web and look at ratings and reviews of poker rooms. If you choose from top ten poker rooms according to their ratings, you will avoid any elementary “scam”.

2. bonuses – the indicators that beginner players are hooked on as manna from heaven. As practice shows, poker rooms offering substantial bonuses enjoy a certain popularity. If such bonuses are available, see point one – reputation, trust and honesty. Pretty numbers should not entice you, but can give important information regarding the ease of wagering. We advise you to read the rules of the bonus right away, because that is where the data sometimes sneaks in extremely contradictory. From our own experience, we recommend choosing a poker room that pays bonuses in installments. That way, you will be able to ensure yourself an influx of small but steady cash.

3. tournaments. It’s all about the generosity of the organisers, the prize pool and the attraction for first-time players – freerolls. Freerolls often play the role of bait for inexperienced players, acting mainly on the elementary desire of a beginner to play “for free”. Statistics show that around 80% of freeroll players play for cash afterwards. It is advisable to choose poker rooms offering a large variety of freerolls. The risk can be considered to be minimal, but as a hint they work.

4. Level of opponents – reflects the freedom of choice of poker room clientele. If we are targeting reputable and large poker rooms, then we must be prepared for a higher level of opposition, especially in poker rooms that cater to overseas clientele. Such a contingent tends to involve more professional play, stricter rules and higher stakes.

5. Poker software is one of the prerequisites for a successful game. Most experienced players actively use a variety of applications, which can be freely downloaded online, or exclusive editions can be ordered if you have some cash. Modern players try to keep the risk to a minimum, but that doesn’t mean the app will be able to play for you with consistent success. Many poker rooms prohibit the use of software, so when choosing a poker room, pay attention to the relevant prohibition, or permission.

6. Payment systems – ensure that funds are transferred from the player to the poker room and, if played well, back again. The list of payment systems that the poker room can cooperate with contains important information, which proves to be useful when choosing. The most popular system in this regard is WebMoney, which is well known in Russia. However, still some foreign poker rooms do not accept this system.