Before you jump in and start playing online poker, take a basic inventory. Most online casinos allow a silent audience to sit in and watch tables. Whether you’re new to poker or just new to online poker, take advantage of this. Watch how online poker players react. What you see might surprise you. Most players are like you, they act just as they would at a physical table. But the Internet has a strange effect on some people, and you’ll experience some strange betting behavior.
Once you have a basic feel for online play at that casino, it’s time to get your feet wet. But do so with the smallest commitment possible. So pick a table with small bets and increments. At this point, the goal should be to gain some experience and to evaluate the casino. Don’t concern yourself with having a large enough bankroll or overcoming unlucky streaks. And if find that you don’t like a house for whatever reason, leave it as soon as possible. It’s better to spend your time at a house that might serve you for the long-term.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to begin studying. Learn the odds but more importantly, understand the odds—more on that later. Now, practice, practice and practice some more. Start an online poker journal. Keep track of winnings, losses and notes for every betting period. Budget your bankroll so you can practice as much as possible. So if you have an hour a day to play, budget so that you can at least play that full hour each day. You can use any extra amount as you see fit, such as playing at the bigger tables or for tournament buy-ins.
Playing poker in person tends to make the novice play conservatively while playing online tends to have the opposite effect. Beware of this common trap. It’s all right to play aggressive when the game and the cards call for it. However, it’s important to be true to the cards and the odds just as you would be if you were playing in Las Vegas. This is the only way you’re going to be a consistent, long-term winner.
Because online play is so accessible, it’s quite easy to play too much. Playing logically and overcoming emotions is a physical and mental battle. Take breaks. Take a shower. Eat properly and exercise. It may seem ridiculous to include these basic steps in a guide to online poker tactics but you’d be surprised how many players forgo these necessities and how much their game suffers because of it. Have a plan.