Poker is a well known card game where players compete against each other to win chips or money. You can win by either having the best cards or bluffing your opponent into folding. To be good at this game, you need to have a good ability to wager, intelligent gaming strategy, and of course, gaming skills.

While the origin of this game might be unknown, it is believed to have evolved from other card games in Europe and was influenced by German and French games in the 17th and 18th century.

It was introduced to North America by French settlers in New Orleans and gained popularity in the 19th century. Poker has become more popular since then and is now played and enjoyed worldwide.

As technology took over and the internet became easily accessible, online poker grew popular in the 2000s. Online poker allows players to enjoy poker online at any time or place. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Poker

As a beginner in online poker, there is a lot you will need to learn before you can play perfectly. Here, is an outline of the various steps you need as a beginner to get started on online poker :

• Understand the Rules of Poker: when you start playing poker for the first time, you will find the game complicated and maybe confusing at some point. However, once you can understand the rules of the game, you will get the hang of it. You need to get familiar with the rules of the game, its popular terminologies, and the different variations of poker. 
• Learn different Poker Strategies: you need to have basic knowledge of poker and understand basic strategy while playing poker. You can’t excel in poker if you do not understand hand ranking, positioning, various hands such as the full house poker, and pot odds. While some people believe it is solely a game of luck, the right gaming strategy will always make a difference. You can find online poker strategies In different online sources, articles, and books for beginners. 
• Begin with Low stakes Game: As a beginner, you will need to reduce your risk level until you properly understand the game. So, play only low-risk games where the stakes are low. This will help you gain more experience and stake less.
• Watch and Learn from Other Players: pro players have a number of strategies they use while playing and have a better understanding of the game. Watch and study their games and mode of playing. You will be able to learn a thing or two about poker and how to become better at it. 
• Do not Play Out of your Bankroll: When playing, you need to set a gaming budget. This budget will serve as a limit for gamers to prevent them from staking higher than they ought to. 

How A Beginner can Stay Safe while playing poker  

As a beginner in poker, it is important to safeguard your personal and financial information while playing poker online. Below are safety tips for beginners:

• Play On Reputable Sites: the security of the site you play online games in is crucial. So, before you create an account on that gaming site, check for the licenses, ensure it is a reputable site, read its reviews, and check its security measures
• Do not use Public Computers or Wi-Fi: Don’t play online poker on a public computer or a shared device. Do not also connect your device to public WI-FI. This could jeopardize your personal information and put them at risk. Always use your personal device and a secured WI-FI connection. 
• Keep Your Account Secure: Always keep your account secure with a strong and unique password. A mix of letters, numbers, and symbols is ideal. If the site offers 2-factor verification, enable this. This will add another layer of security to your account. 
• Do not Share Personal Information: information like your account password, your earnings, and your bankroll should be private. Sharing this information could put you and your financial information at risk. 
• Manage Your Money Properly: be responsible with your money while playing poker. Try not to go over your budget, do not chase losses, and don’t stake more than you’re willing to lose. Even with the best strategy, luck plays a vital role in winning or losing.
• Do not Download Unverified  Software: be careful about the sites you download. Before downloading external sites, ensure they are verified by the poker sites you are playing on. Download only official sites provided by the poker site. 

Conclusion

Playing the game of poker can be an exciting and thrilling gaming experience for you. Thanks to the internet, you can play from the comfort of your home, office or join a virtual table online. However, you choose to play, remember that poker is a game of skills, and strategy and it can be challenging and entertaining. So, ensure you follow the guide and also, have fun.

Published by HOLR Magazine