Written By: PokerSite.org
Whether you are looking for first online poker site or your fiftieth, it can be difficult to find just the right one for you: a real diamond in the rough. Even if, at first, you have no idea where to start you can quickly learn how to understand and compare the mountain of data each site offers. There is no reason your first online poker site cannot be a great fit for you.
Check Your Facts
To start with, you need to take a close look at the site to see if it meets your needs. Throughout the FAQ section (and via customer support if necessary) you should find out the basic facts like the betting limits imposed, the types of poker games offered, and if you qualify to be a member. There’s no point in signing up for a room where you can’t afford to play, or aren’t able to play the specific style you are accustomed to. Like what you see? If so, take this opportunity to check out what bonuses are offered. Almost any bonus will have some strings attached to make sure you play a bit before you withdraw the ‘free money’.
Case The Joint
No two poker rooms will have exactly the same clientele. If you are relatively new to the game you will probably be more comfortable (and more profitable) if you’re playing against other beginners at some of the easier to beat poker sites. So how can you tell if the other players are going to wipe you out? Start by checking out the design of the games. If the poker game is 3D in appearance, often you’ll find more novice players, while the traditional 2d style appeals to the pros because it offers a higher speed of play. If you want to play against novices, you should also check out sites that focus on much more than just poker such as SportsBook.com. Sites like these generate players who don’t just focus on poker, making them easier to beat.
While we are on the topic of players, a room is only as much fun as its players. If you are looking at a newer poker site, there can be a pretty serious problem caused by not having enough players to keep things rolling. Generally poker sites will give you statistics about how many players you can expect, and you should put a lot of emphasis on this information.
Don’t Pay Too Much
Whoever coined the phrase “nothing in life is certain but death and taxes,” apparently never heard of a little thing called ‘rake’. Online poker rooms are businesses with expenses and a need to make a profit. Because you aren’t pitted against the house (like in casino games) the poker sites need a way to make revenue that is not based on winning their own games. To do this they charge a rake on every pot played. This is a fee, generally ranging from ten cents to three dollars depending on the size of the pot. If the hand ends before the flop, then no rake is taken. In the end of the day a lower rake means more money is in the hands of all the players at the table.
Check the terms and conditions of the poker room to see if there are any ‘hidden fees’ involved. These aren’t common in reputable poker rooms, but if a site uses them they are likely to be applied as a fee to withdraw your winnings.
Integrity/Credibility/Reputation
Sometimes even the shadiest poker sites will have a professional looking site, so it can be difficult to tell who really has your best interests at heart. Your best bet is to read online reviews, but don’t simply settle for the first review you can find. Far too many of the reviews online are hosted by paid affiliates to talk up a site’s strong points and ignore its shortcomings. At least check out two or three unbiased reviews before even thinking about giving a site your personal and financial information.
Room Quality
When you find a poker room that seems to meet all of the above ‘bare-bones’ requirements, you can move on to a much more subjective, but equally important evaluation. Sign up and download the software (this absolutely should be free) and take advantage of the opportunity to play with play money. This will give you a chance to experience the software without putting any more money on the line. Start by evaluating the appearance at first glance. You might not like annoying lighting effects or find the color scheme to be an eye sore. If you are serious about playing at a given room for any amount of time you had better make sure you like what your looking at. As you start to play your first few hands you will get a feel for the graphics used, and the speed at which the game progresses. You should also check to see what options are available. Most online poker sites offer multiple table backgrounds, and allow players to turn different graphics & sounds on or off.
At this point if you are happy with everything, you have all the information you need to start playing for real money. If at any point you are curious about something, or you feel like you might not have all the information you need, definitely take advantage of the customer support offered at the site. They should have the answers to all of your questions, and if they don’t you should probably look elsewhere.
