The "first time" always brings up fears and questions no matter what the occasion happens to be. Fear of the unknown and questions about going about the new endeavor, as well as questioning your own reasons for doing it are shared by all neophytes. There is a thrill along with the mystery in new undertakings, whether it be your first dance, first stage performance or your first day at a new school. Somehow we survive the "first time jitters' and grow to become adept and comfortable in whatever the activity.
Playing cards with friends and family was new once. Experience aided our performance and alleviated our fears. Many have played poker along with other home games. Now it's time for that online poker experience. Online poker is simply a different format from the brick and mortar game with friends and is enjoyed by millions. If you want to give it a go, there are a few things you must learn before you dive in. Online poker is competitive and challenging, a strong mental attitude and certain physical considerations must be acknowledged and practiced before you lay down that first bet.
You need to build a strong mental attitude as well as be physically fit to successfully compete and enjoy the games. Online poker will be scary at first. It's not the same as a friendly gathering for a few games with buddies. Online poker rooms offer a much different ambience than the home den. But have no fear. Take a few deep breaths, relax and allow yourself time to understand the basics of cyber poker.
When you first visit the online poker rooms, and you should definitely try out more than one site before playing for real, take advantage of the site's simulators, practice programs and "play money." Once your comfort level has risen, you can move on to a real game with real money. Do understand though that the right attitude to have is to accept whatever comes your way and think of it as a training ground for which you are paying your tuition.
During this initiation period, think about the games you like and why. Do you prefer tournament or cash games? You will have many questions as do all beginning poker players. You can find answers by reading poker articles, visiting forums and training sites. If you know anyone who plays online poker, they can be a wealth of information for you. In any case, proceed slowly and build your knowledge as you go. This is the best path to success. The more cautious approach will also allow you to build up your mental and physical stamina essential to remaining alert.
Don't forget your computer and internet connections must be sound, stable and reliable. Technical failures during critical decisions are major deal killers. Take advantage of the complimentary software packages offered by many sites that can augment your gaming skills.. They won't all work for you, but some of them may make a real difference. Be sure the sites you play on have a rakeback feature. Rakeback can give you that needed edge.
You want a comfortable space to play your games. Get out your favorite chair, some snacks and drinks. Turn on some soft music, get the temperature and lighting right and rid the space of any distractions. All this will add a positive note to your mental and physical state, especially if you are in for a prolonged session.
Lastly, take your time. Research which poker sites you want to enter into and open an account. Obviously you want a reputable one, but you also must play regularly on a site that offers rakeback. Do your homework and you should enjoy many hours of online poker comfortably, enjoyably and maybe even profitably.
