Poker is quite a beautiful game and comes in various forms; ranging from simple games to complex games. If you are an enthusiast of Texas Hold’em or Omaha or any other type of poker game, it is now more convenient to play it online rather than in brick and mortar casinos. If you are quite new to the world of poker, you are also at an advantage since online casinos offer internet poker bonus promotions which you can utilize to familiarize yourself with the game, and maybe later engage yourself in real money competitions. However, before engaging yourself in online poker gaming, it is critical that you choose a reliable and reputable internet poker site. Here are some tips of the that you can utilize:
Safety
Always go for a poker room with a solid reputation. You will be not only providing the casino with your personal information but also your banking details as well. You will be entrusting the casino with your finances; therefore it is critical that you pick a site with guaranteed security. First, check if the casino has a license and certified to operate in your country. Then, ensure that it is regulated by a reputable third party agency. And finally, read reviews from former and existing players. Comments from existing customers play a great role in determining the casino’s reputation and safety.
Banking Options
Choose an internet poker site that supports multiple deposit and withdrawal options. This will give you a chance to decide the most appropriate banking method in terms of security and efficiency. Similarly, check the terms of withdrawal since while most casinos make it easy to deposit, they have strict restrictions on withdrawals. Ensure that the casino you pick will allow you to withdraw your winnings conveniently and deliver them to your bank without delays.
Software
Playing casino should be an enjoyable activity; casinos with a robust and fast software make this a reality. You can either opt to go for a downloadable software or choose to play instantly via your browser. However, for poker, instant playing is recommendable especially when playing against real people. Therefore, ensure that the casino has incredible graphics and sounds. It is also recommendable to check if the casino has a mobile platform since sometimes you might wish to play poker from your mobile device while on the go.
Support team
Customer care is one of the most crucial factors in any business nowadays. The same case applies to internet gaming sites. Thus, ensure that you go for a poker room that offers fast and convenient customer support. The attendants should respond to your issues politely and instantly. You don’t want to wait hours for your question to be answered, neither do you want someone to ruin your poker day by answering your question in a rude manner! Similarly, you should be provided with various options to contact support. You might find a casino that only asks you to call; that might be inconvenient for some users. Thus, go for a site that has a chat, online form, email and so forth.
Poker Traffic
This is one of the most crucial factors that real money players may want to consider before joining a poker room. Unlike other casino games, where players prefer playing against experienced opponents, poker players prefer playing against less experienced players. A casino streaming with thousands of players means that the probability of playing against different players is high, unlike a casino with the same users online every time. Playing against bad players means more cash, and that’s the goal of playing poker in the first place!
Bonuses and Promotions
Poker bonuses and promotions are the most important factors to consider before joining any internet poker site. Just like you get free drinks while playing in land based casinos, internet gaming sites offer bonuses; free money! Bonuses are mostly used to entice new players to join the casino, but they are also used as a way of rewarding existing players too. Different casinos offer different types of bonuses depending on their goals and aims. As a player, it is always recommendable if you go to a site that offers promotions to both new and existing players. Here are some examples of online poker bonuses:
- No Deposit Bonus- This is a bonus where you get free money to play poker once you sign up with the casino. This is the best bonus for new players since you get to test the casino’s poker experience without having to make a deposit. This type of deposit, however, cannot be withdrawn nor its winnings claimed for withdrawal.
- Welcome Deposit Poker Bonus- This is the most common online poker bonus. It involves the casino matching your initial bonus by a certain percent. Some casinos can match your first deposit by 50% and other by up to 500%. However, the most common welcome bonuses are of 100%. So, to get the best out of your money, go to a casino which offers a higher percentage welcome bonus.
- Reload Poker Bonus- This is the most significant internet poker bonus for existing players. Once you have signed up with an internet poker site, and have received your welcome deposit bonus, it is very rare to receive another deposit bonus. Thus, casinos that offer deposit bonuses to existing players should be considered as a rare breed.
How do poker bonuses work?
While most players enjoy using bonuses, most forget to take a look at the terms and regulations of utilizing these bonuses. One, to earn a deposit bonus, you must deposit an amount equal to or higher than the minimum deposit allowed by the casino. More importantly, bonuses are not real money, and to consider them as cash, you must clear them by meeting the required wagering conditions stated by the casino. Therefore read the terms and conditions that come with the bonus.
In conclusion, choosing the right poker room can give you a perfect opportunity to utilize your skills and poker knowledge to earn money. By conducting a thorough research on the casino you intend to join, and following the above tips, you can increase your chances of playing poker at a reliable site.