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Top 10 tips for beginners in online poker.

Getting started is always difficult, and the same goes for embarking on an online poker career. Many poker enthusiasts in Ireland have already gained experience playing home games with friends and are now looking to take the next step. However, if you want to have a successful long-term career in online poker, there are several things to consider. At poker-6.com, we provide beginners with an overview and present them with the top 10 essential tips for successful online poker play.

1. Choosing the right poker site

   When starting an online poker career, the first step is to choose the right poker site. Irish poker players have a vast selection of online poker sites to choose from. Initially, it is necessary to familiarize oneself with the options in order to find the appropriate and suitable site. Fortunately, most providers now focus on the "recreational player" and strive to provide the best possible gaming experience for beginners and novices. Nevertheless, there are still sites where many professionals and regulars play, which beginners may not necessarily want to sit at the table with. poker-6.com provides an overview as well as a test of the best poker sites that are also suitable for beginners.

2. Deposit plus bonus

   When selecting the appropriate poker site, beginners should also verify which poker site offers them the best bonus terms and the most attractive welcome package. Every poker site provides new customers with a bonus when they make their first real money deposit. Frequently, the player's deposit is doubled. For instance, if you deposit 50 euros, the provider will give you an additional 50 euros in bonus money. However, a bonus typically needs to be cleared before it can be withdrawn. Only after playing a certain number of hands will you receive the promised bonus in your poker account.

   Some providers also offer their new customers an instant play bonus. This bonus is usually slightly lower, often between 10 and 20 euros, and independent of the amount of the deposit. Here, there is often only a minimum amount that needs to be deposited. Once this is done, the bonus is immediately credited to the account in full and can be used for poker. Additionally, many providers give their new customers tickets for MTTs or freerolls. Especially freerolls are, of course, a great opportunity for beginners to gain experience.

3. Select game variant

   Once you have discovered your poker site and made your first real money deposit, you can practically get started. But what should you play exactly? Every poker site offers numerous variations. So which one is right for beginners? The fact is: the most popular poker variant worldwide is Texas Hold'em. 85 percent of all online poker players prefer this variant. It is great for starting your online career because the basic rules are very simple. Moreover, you can always find enough players to compete against in Texas Hold'em at any time of the day. We also recommend this variant to all beginners.

   Once the player has made a decision on which variant to choose, they are faced with yet another question: should they opt for cash games (also known as ring games), multi-table tournaments (MTT), or single-table tournaments (STT)? In a cash game, the player only needs a certain amount of money to join a table. The blinds are never increased, and one can leave a table at any time. A multi-table tournament, on the other hand, is a tournament that takes place across multiple tables. As for STTs (also referred to as Sit 'n' Gos), the player pays a fixed amount to participate. Typically, the top three positions receive a prize.

4. Playing at the right level

   In poker, all tournaments or cash games are determined by the buy-in. Only freerolls allow players to participate for free. Those who are at the beginning of their poker journey must be careful to play at the appropriate level based on their skill and bankroll. For instance, starting with a balance of less than 100 euros, it is advisable not to play cash games higher than NL2. NL2 refers to No Limit 2, indicating tournaments with a buy-in of no more than 2 dollars and cash games with blinds of a maximum of 0.01/0.02 dollars. It is also crucial for beginners to be mindful that the buy-in for any tournament does not consume a significant portion of their bankroll. Once players have earned a bankroll to move up to the next level, they must consider that higher levels come with increased risk and stronger opponents. Consequently, variance will also increase.

   A guideline for cash games looks as follows:

   Bankroll	Limit	Buy-in
   less than $100	NL2 (0.01/0.02	2 $

   less than $250	NL4 (0.02/0.04)	4 $
   less than $500	NL10 (0.05/0.10)	10 $
   less than $625	NL20 (0.10/0.20)	20 $
   less than $1,250	Nalqh (0.10/0, brother)	25 $
   less than $2,500	NL50 (0,25/0,50)	50 $

5. Bankroll Management

   The prudent and forward-thinking management of one's poker bankroll is of utmost importance for every player, not just for novices. Every poker player possesses a budget that they wish to invest at the poker table. The art of skillfully managing one's capital is the key to effective bankroll management. Placing excessive bets in a single tournament or at a cash game table jeopardizes the risk of squandering the entire budget, prematurely ending one's career before it even takes off. It is crucial to exercise caution and maintain a strategic approach to ensure long-term success in the game.

6. Living with downswings and avoiding tilt.

   Every poker player must learn as quickly as possible: poker is also a game of chance. Accordingly, the variance is quite significant. Even the world's best players experience downswings, and losses in the millions are not uncommon. However, it is often the way one handles a downswing that distinguishes a world-class poker pro from an unsuccessful player. A good and ambitious player must see and accept losses as part of the game. Every player can become a victim of bad beats. A bad beat is a hand that is ahead of an opponent's hand but still loses at the showdown. Additionally, a player must avoid tilting. This term refers to the emotional state of a player who has had bad luck and suffered an unfortunate loss. Trying desperately to make up for these losses should not be attempted. Otherwise, there is a risk of losing even more chips and real money. It is better to take a break and try to rebuild the bankroll next time.

7. Continuing education

   Once you have grasped the basic rules of poker, you mustn't stop there. As the poker pro Robert Williamson III once wisely said: "Poker's a day to learn and a lifetime to master." The rules of the game can be easily and quickly learned. However, if you want to truly master the card game, it will require a lifetime of dedication. Behind the fundamental rules lies a complex and strategic game with numerous tactical aspects. A player who wishes to succeed at the poker table must constantly strive for self-improvement. They must acquire well-founded strategic knowledge through various means: reading poker books, watching instructional videos online, or studying strategy texts. Only by optimizing their game through these methods can they have a chance at long-term success.

8. Training sites and communities

   If the solitary grind and studying of strategy content becomes monotonous or if someone needs a supplement, they should consider signing up for one of the many poker training sites and communities. There, they will find a fantastic learning environment and numerous members with whom they can engage. Most memberships on these sites are free of charge. Members benefit from the experience of other members as well as specially curated content from poker coaches who work for these sites. Some of the reputable online poker sites also feature a German-language poker school.

9. Assistance programs

   One way to enhance your own game is by utilizing assistance tools. For instance, heads-up displays and tracking programs import and store hand histories during gameplay. These programs provide users with statistical information about their progress and opponents' playing style in real-time. However, an increasing number of poker rooms are banning such programs. A legal alternative, on the other hand, is a software like "PokerSnowie." This program serves as a training tool, which can never be used during actual gameplay, allowing both beginners and professionals to improve their skills. Its objective is to consistently present players with the "perfect play."

10. mathematics

    Mastering the mathematics behind poker is an essential aspect of the game. In order to achieve long-term success, it is crucial to delve into probability theory and familiarize oneself with key terms such as odds, outs, equity, and expected value. Only by gaining a deep understanding of these concepts can one truly thrive in the world of poker.

    All the cards in the deck that can improve your hand and likely make you the winner at the showdown are called outs. The term odds refers to the probability of hitting your outs. Pot odds describe the ratio between your bet and the size of the pot. If the pot odds are higher than the odds, it is advisable to call or raise. If the pot odds are lower, folding would be the right decision.

    The possible, expected profit or loss in a game situation is quantified by the expected value, also known as Expected Value or EV for short. Calculating the expected value involves taking into account the probabilities for the further course of the game. You can calculate the EV by multiplying the sums of the probabilities of the following game sequences together. Equity, or Pot Equity, refers to the player's share in the current pot, the prize pool to be won. Equity represents their average long-term winning chances or expected payouts.

    For more information on the subject of poker mathematics and poker probability, including various tables and charts, visit poker-6.com. Following these 10 tips will set you on the path to becoming a successful online poker player. Additionally, it ultimately depends on each individual player how much time, dedication, and energy they invest in their career.