Online Poker is played in a variety of ways but mainly by using a computer program to represent the other players on a table. This allows the player to practice their skills against opponents that may be from anywhere in the world, in a variety of games and at a number of stakes. Some of these programs also allow the player to analyze their own game and find areas where they can improve.
Online poker is regulated in the states that offer it. This means that the game is fair and players are protected in case of any problems. It is also a safe way to play as most sites use strict security measures to ensure that their customers’ personal information and funds are secure.
Until recently it was only possible to play poker for real money at a casino or a licensed gambling site in the USA. But this changed with the advent of online poker, which became more popular as people realized that they could play the same game from their homes without any of the usual hassles and risks of going to a live casino or bar.
Most major online poker rooms offer a variety of games and tournaments to choose from. Some feature cash games while others specialize in Sit & Go’s or special tournament formats. Many sites have a free play section that allows players to try out the software before committing any real money. Players can usually deposit and withdraw funds easily and quickly. Deposits can be made with credit cards, eWallet services and even wire transfers. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours and funds can be withdrawn to the same method used for deposits.
Many of these programs will save, sort and recall your hand histories as well as scan active tables for known players and display past statistics for those players next to their name (a head up display or HUD). Other software will analyze your own play and identify mistakes you might have made. Then there are tools that will calculate odds, equity or variance for you.
APT Poker has a variety of different options available for online training including a “Poker Training Game” that lets players practice against sophisticated virtual opponents in a choice of game formats such as full ring, six-max and heads-up. There are also tournament simulations that allow players to practice their strategies in a variety of tournament formats and a full suite of coaching options from top pros such as Scott Clements, Jonathan Little, Mike Caro, Qui Nguyen and others.
One of the biggest differences between a live and an online game is that when playing at a real money game you cannot look your opponent in the face. This can make it much harder to tell if they are bluffing. However, there are still a few ways to figure out if someone is bluffing or not. Using body language, knowing their chip stack size and their betting history are all important factors to consider when trying to read an opponent’s tells.