Online Poker Tournaments -- Time to get aboard

Online poker tournaments are skyrocketing in popularity due to reasons ranging from low buyins into major tournaments for a fraction of their usual cost to those who do not live within driving distance of a land based poker room. (And of course another factor is the money that can be won.) The Internet has changed where and when one can play. This revolution in how the game is played has resulted in millions of dollars being placed into online poker tournaments and satellite poker tournaments, with more opportunities on the Net coming up each week.

Poker as a "sport" is widely enjoyed by millions around the world due to the necessary level of quick thinking, skill and challenge of the game. For those who don't understand, what makes it a game of skill is this, the element of luck is in the draw of the cards, but the skill is in how those cards are played. Too many times on televised tournaments you can see extremely bad hands winning because of how the hands were handled in a case-by-case situation by the player. Anyone can get lucky for a good run or even enough to win a tournament, but over time the skill level of a player will reflect their number of victories and the amount of winnings taken home.

What fundamentals does a poker player need to know before playing tournaments over the Internet? Here are some tips:

Make sure you are ready. Practice in regular play over the Internet as much as possible. This is what lets you gain years of playing experience in a matter of months. Many young players in their 20's are doing well against top players and this is one of the big ways of how they get their knowledge so fast.

Take the time to invest in learning strategies, techniques and how to read players. Purchasing a few books written by experienced top players is a better investment than playing at a table without an idea of what is going on. Combining the two will enable you to play a solid game and wait for others to make mistakes and bust out. And know how to adjust your playing strategy when the blinds increase.

Surrender in order to survive. It does not make sense to play marginal hands in a tournament if you don't have to. Unless you know you have a winning hand, it may be wiser to fold. The chips you save may help you to win a larger amount when you get a superior hand. For the first few rounds in a tournament, you are trying to survive while others are being eliminated.

Take the time to understand when a player is "pot committed". When a player is pot committed, they have so much invested that it makes it hard to back away from folding or putting more chips in. Knowing to watch for this will enable you to put on more pressure when you know you have a superior hand. It should also help you know when to abandon a hand so that you do not place yourself in a situation when it becomes hard to back away.

Finally, keep a written record to track your play and earnings. It will help you to focus in order to become a better player. This lets you stay on track and forces you to ask yourself if you are playing the best game you can play.

Tom Howze is a webmaster for 7 sites that relate to online gambling, World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events and updates. For more information, please visit 2005 World Series of Poker . He can be reached at webmaster@justgambleforfree.com for questions.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Think Big and Give Your Poker Profits a Boost

Is your lack of confidence hurting your poker profits in... Read More

The Secrets of Laying the Fives and Nines

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secret of laying... Read More

Texas Holdem Poker Legends

Stu Ungar is considered by most to the greatest No... Read More

Beating The NFL: A Guide To Smart Sports Betting.

Well folks, here we are. It's August 13 as I... Read More

Beat the Casinos

Do you have what it takes to become a successful... Read More

Raising vs. Calling in Holdem Poker

When playing poker we are constantly required to make decisions.... Read More

My Official Cheapskate Guide to Las Vegas

TRAVEL- The following is my penny pinchers guide to Las... Read More

Casino Business Opportunity

There are really two main options to owning a casino... Read More

Bookmaking Basics

The role of a 'bookie', the common name of the... Read More

Texas Holdem Tournament Strategy - Winning vs. Aggressive Players

The Texas Hold'em poker phenomenon has taken the country by... Read More

Mobile Gaming Leads the Way

The state of online gambling may have just found another... Read More

Blackjack for Beginners

'Blackjack' is one of the oldest games played in United... Read More

Asian Gambling Basics

Gambling became popular in China in the last phase of... Read More

Betting Options For Football

It is in one's best interest to know all your... Read More

Online Poker

Online poker is a very popular virtual casinos game where... Read More

Learn How To Manage Your Roulette Bets For Greater Profits!

Many players seek to increase their chances of winning at... Read More

Play Poker Online Against the Stars of the Silver Screen

There's no secret that poker is taking the world by... Read More

Why Underdogs are the Smart Bet in Soccer Betting

Underdog or favorite? It's a choice we make everyday throughout... Read More

What is the True Winning Percentage of a Professional Soccer-punter?

Many people believe professional-level sports bettors win at least 60%... Read More

Tips To Ponder Before Buying A Poker Table

Poker tables come in al shapes, sizes and prices.Folding poker... Read More

Video Poker - Tips to Remember

Video poker is an easy game to learn to play... Read More

No Deposit Online Casino Bonus is for Lucky and Wise Only - The Myth of Free Money

No deposit bonuses are very popular, especially among "not-so-wealthy" online... Read More

Poker Can Be Played for Money from the Comfort of Your Living Room?Legally!

Poker is one of the world's all time favorite gambling... Read More

2005 World Series of Poker

The 2005 World Series of Poker event is scheduled to... Read More

Slot Machines - Good and Bad Locations

Although no one will ever truly know where the casinos... Read More

Ten Easy Tips For Improving Your Online Poker Game

When you play poker online, you have options available that... Read More

Understanding Online Casino Bonuses

Are you puzzled by the workings of online Casino bonuses,... Read More

The New Face of Poker - Internet Poker

There are several online poker rooms that offer Poker games... Read More

Virtual Casino Games

Looking to find out what kind of games can be... Read More

Internet Poker - 13 Rules to Follow

Add bad poker players to your buddy listPlaying poker is... Read More

Calculating Poker Odds - The Easy Way!

To be successful at poker you should, at any time... Read More

A Trip To Vegas

A trip that will always be remembered is the one... Read More

Poker Face in Cyberspace

His palms are sweaty and his heart is racing, but... Read More