Two decades after the online poker boom and the industry is still going strong. In fact, poker isn’t just thriving online, but actively evolving and expanding around the world. As new markets open up, players have access to brand-new opportunities—whether they want to compete in tournaments or perfect their cash games first.
But as the online poker industry evolves, keeping up with the latest information takes a bit of time. Learning the ropes can be even trickier with so many options and platforms out there. Let’s explore some of the latest changes in online poker and what you need to know.
Search for Local Results
If you want to find the best online poker rooms, then you need to search for them on a local level. For example, Canada’s Ontario province launched online poker in April 2022. Since then, players have had time to explore the best Ontario sites, which you can easily dive into if you’re looking to sign up with a new provider. By keeping your poker play regional, you can also find deals and bonuses that apply directly to you.
Understand Bonuses
And speaking of bonuses, there have never been more offers available for poker players. As the number of quality platforms increases, the deals available become even more competitive. But poker players must be able to sift through the offers to figure out which ones actually offer value.
Let’s cover a few examples, sticking with Ontario platforms. Two of the top options are PokerStars and 888poker, each offering two different bonuses related to deposits. PokerStars will match a player’s first deposit by 100%, while 888poker offers the same deal worth up to $400. Always study the fine print before you sign on—and always compare bonuses from different providers to find the best deal.
Learn the Etiquette
Online poker is pretty straightforward. However, because the industry has been around for over twenty years now, avid players know the dos and don’ts. If you’re just starting on virtual platforms, you’ll also need to learn the ropes. Some basic etiquette (in any virtual game) is to be polite and avoid speaking aggressively.
In poker, the nuances are a bit more involved. For example, don’t slow the game down each round by pausing when it’s your turn to play—be timely. Two other important notes are to avoid giving advice to other players and to avoid giving away hints about a hand you’ve folded.
Keep a Schedule… & Notes
As online poker expands, many new players will join the pool. But many will also give up before they really cut their teeth—but why is that? Keep in mind that regular virtual players who want to improve are probably scheduling their sessions and taking notes about how their games pan out.
In other words, if you want to make incremental improvements, then treat the game with some professionality—and understand that other players will be doing this as well. For a poker pro tip, you can also head to Twitch or YouTube and start following a poker player who live-streams their sessions. One of the biggest names in poker on Twitch at the moment is Lex Veldhuis.
