Poker is enjoying something of a moment right now. More and more people are starting to play this intriguing game that has seen a huge resurgence thanks to a number of reasons.
One of these is its higher profile provided by major events like the World Series Of Poker that’s held in Las Vegas each summer. Another is the number of online poker sites that seem to be increasing exponentially these days.
Because the latter has opened up the possibility of play to a far wider audience than before it means the game is no longer just one for high rollers. Instead, almost anyone can afford to play, if they go about it in the right way. So here are six tips to help you if you fancy finding out if poker’s the game for you without risking too much cash in the process.
Set your budget, and stick to it
The first principle of playing poker on a budget is setting that budget. Technically this is known as your bankroll and its management is key. The other main principle of any kind of gambling is that you should only ever bet what you can afford to lose. This has to be balanced with the next point in the list. That’s because, whatever the size of the budget, a higher stakes game or one with a bigger buy-in, is going to burn through your bankroll faster than you might expect.
Choose the right game
While your head might be spinning with the thoughts of poker players who have won life-changing sums of money the reality is that you need to start playing for low stakes. This will mean that you’re more likely to find yourself up against players of around the same standard as you with the same level of experience. It also means that if things don’t go to plan, as they rarely do, you won’t find yourself getting through your budget in a couple of hands. Like everything in life, you need to learn to walk before you can run.
Look for the best bonuses
Virtually all reputable online poker sites offer welcome bonuses for new players. These generally take the form of matching your initial stake money, up to a set maximum level. So this is effectively free money to play with. That said, there are also often several conditions attached to these bonuses. These include having to bet a certain amount before any winnings can be claimed. So it’s essential that you also read the small print and are fully aware of any commitments that you have to go into before you can take advantage of these bonuses.
Play for free
Of course, you don’t need to play for money at all if you don’t want to. Search around online and you’ll find any number of poker tutorials that let you play for virtual chips that have no monetary value. There are also quite a few free money poker tournaments out there. Some of these even offer nominal cash prizes for the winners. Even the ones that don’t offer a great opportunity to get used to the discipline and routine of tournament play in an environment that’s not going to cost you a single cent.
Play with friends
Providing that you don’t play for real money, setting up a poker game with friends is one of the cheapest ways of all to play poker. It’s easily done, that’s why it’s quite a trend in colleges to set up casino nights which are a great chance to socialise and break the ice with a new group. Really all you need is a table and chairs, a couple of decks of playing cards and some dummy chips to play with. You can also choose to play the most popular form of the game today, Texas Hold’em or try out one of the more unusual variants like Omaha Hi-Lo in which both the highest and lowest hands can win.
Never chase your losses
Going right back to our first point, the key to playing poker on a budget is keeping a tight grip on your bankroll. So an absolute no-no will be to try to recoup losses by betting more and more money. Even the most experienced players of the game, well versed in the skills you need to be successful, will tell you that one of the most important of these is knowing when to cut your losses.
So, hopefully, these six tips have pointed you in the right direction to enjoy playing poker on a budget. As you grow in skill, confidence and experience you may be able to be a little more adventurous and extravagant in your play. But for now it’s going to pay to know your limitations.
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