There are plenty of ways to make some money through side gigs today, with most of them residing online. Alongside the popular online gigs though, there are also ways that some look to win money on the side –– often through internet poker. While there are no guarantees (and most players do lose more than they win), there are at least some ways to make it more likely that you’ll succeed in poker. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the tips and strategies there are for pulling the odds in your favor and potentially earning some online poker winnings.
Understand Poker Theory
Poker isn’t just about luck –– although luck still plays a large part in the game. Winning consistently is also about understanding how poker works. For this reason, it’s best to take some time to figure out how to recognize odds and pot odds, and practice how to use that recognition in your favor. Additionally, learn to consider your position at the table: The decisions you make about the same hand might be different based on where you’re sitting. Factors like these are some of the fundamentals of the game that beginners are often oblivious to, but which experts credit with some of their success.
Play the Right Game
It’s also important to find the right style of poker for your level, lest you wind up in over your head and “bleeding chips,” as they say. If you’re just starting out, practice with low-stakes games with small buy-in amounts. Generally, these games start at one or two cents, with the maximum buy-in at about $2, which means you won’t risk too much money. Simialrly, try to stick to eight- or nine-player tables. The reason for this is that these games goes at a slower pace, and you’ll have time to analyze other players’ actions and decisions and implement your strategies.
Once you get comfortable with poker in general, and you feel like it’s easier to keep up, you can naturally start playing at higher-stakes tables with fewer players or faster games.
Manage Your Bankroll
Regular players learn that bankroll management is a crucial aspect of the game. What this means is that you need to know how much you can reasonably afford to lose, and when you should stop putting money in. Just as a hypothetical, if you set aside $1,000 for your games and you burn through it, you can’t later say, “Well, I could use part of my rent money in order to win the next game!” On a similar note, you should also stick to keeping your winnings. Sure, it’s nice to splurge and treat yourself every so often, but adding your winnings to your bankroll can be more beneficial to your game –– especially if you find yourself moving up in stakes and playing with higher buy-ins. In short, you open the door to compounding your winnings over time.
Pay Attention to Your Opponents
It’s true that you usually can’t see the other players when playing online (though player avatars can certainly be amusing). However, you can see their plays –– and you should be paying special attention to them. If a given opponent demonstrates a tendency to play too tight or too loose, you can make decisions based on their actions and avoid making mistakes that play into their hands. You can also call out their bluffs in order to win the round yourself. Just make sure you know that good opponents are probably looking to do the same to you!
Be Conscious of Your Emotions
It’s true that no one can see your face while you’re playing online poker, but your emotions can still become apparent to your opponents. And rest assured, poker can make anyone emotional. Losing money over and over, even if it’s a small amount each time, can make you impulsive; you might keep playing rounds because you want to break a losing streak, or reverse your fortunes. On the other hand, winning a hand (and some money) can make you almost euphoric, which is a feeling you’ll naturally want to replicate. This too can lead to reckless or impulsive play. Given these common tendencies, it’s important to keep your emotions (positive or negative) in check if you want to play steadily and stick to strategy, rather than impulse.
Please remember, ultimately, that playing poker is not a viable strategy for regular earnings, and those looking to grow their wealth would be better off exploring traditional investment avenues like mutual funds and the like. But if you’d like the chance at some bonus earnings while having fun with a bit of online poker, the tips and strategies above will help you to increase the likelihood of racking up the chips.