Internet poker has rocketed in popularity over the last few months and years. However, many live game poker players do not know the basics of how to play internet poker online and so we have prepared a short guide to enable these people to make use of this fantastic online resource:

Play Internet Poker Online

1. The first step must take place before you play internet poker online. You must download one of the online internet poker programmes, such as Party Poker, Full Tilt Poker or Pacific Poker. These are always free because you spend your money once you have the programme when you are ready to play internet poker online.
2. Most programmes will ask you to sign up and create an account before you play internet poker online. Once you have logged in, you can either play internet poker online for free (using play chips) or use your debit/credit card to buy some real chips and play internet poker online at one of the cash tables or low-stake tournaments.
3. Once you have made your decision as to where you want to play, select a seat at the desired poker table and click it with the left button of the mouse. You will see your account name/user name appear. You are now 100% ready to play internet poker online! You will see a chip count next to your seat and all the shuffling and dealing happens automatically (well, how else is it going to happen!).
4. Each time the action comes round to you, you have the same options as ever: check, fold or raise. Checking and folding are simple clicks but raising in no-limit texas holdem requires you to use the up/down arrows to adjust the amount you want to bet. Playing internet poker online is not complicated but it just takes a few moments to get used to the mechanics.
5. Once the flop is dealt, the same process applies. When the betting rounds end, the winner is given his/her winnings automatically. Watch out for the ‘muck losing hands’ checkbox. Check this if you want to automatically muck the hand when you have lost at the showdown, otherwise your cards will automatically be shown, which may not be how you want to play.

If you are doing other things as you play internet poker online, there is usually a warning beep when it is your turn to bet (and you usually have up to 30 seconds to make your move).

All internet poker programmes are slightly different but these basic hints on how to play internet poker online will stand you in good stead.