Should I Play Free Poker or Real Poker?

January 18, 2006

Free online poker absolutely has it's place in the learning process for new players. It should be mandatory for any new player to use the free sites out there to gain familiarity with how the game is played, and get a feel for the overall flow of online play.

FYI: (All online poker sites have a "play money" section where people are just learning the game. If you're not sure which site to choose, check out our section on Online Poker Sites.) 

However, there are only a handful of reasons to sit at the play money tables.

1. You are a new player who has played little or no holdem.
2. You are a new online player who has played little or no poker on the internet.
3. You are a new player to a site you are considering signing up with and want to get familiar with it.
4. You are just goofing around and want to have some fun.
5. You aren't willing to risk money on poker.
6. You don't have extra money to risk on poker.

If none of the above conditions apply to you, and you're at all serious about improving your poker game, play money is not for you. Players at free online poker tables tend to be loose and carefree. As a result, both your play, and your opponents' play will be drastically different at play and real money levels.

While you can still learn a few things at the free tables, I would highly recommend moving to a money table as soon as you can afford it and are comfortable with it. No matter how much flight simulator experience you have, you can't become a pilot until you get up in an actual plane.