You've probably heard the stories: like the Economics student who spent most of his final year supplementing his income by playing all-night poker sessions online, or the Maths graduate who actually put their numerical genius to good use (apart from saving the world, or whatever) by scooping up the loot and winning big.
Since the online poker boom of the early 2000s, the average age of players has steadily come down and now students are up there as regular poker players with the rest of them. Even the lowest-stakes games are more accessible than ever: you can play Texas Hold'em on even the cheapest of backup phones (I know what you're like) that happens to be sitting in your junk drawer.
And if the big, scary casinos are a little too intimidating for you, well, you can do it all from the safety of your probably very smelly and crusty flat. So my poor but eager little gamblers, we're about to get very real up in here. Are you quite ready? Here's a beginners guide to online poker:
Finding the Right Games Is Key
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Picking the right online poker site is as important as finding the right other half, well, more or less. Start off with No Limit Texas Hold'em (it's the one Bond plays in Casino Royale, just FYI): it takes mere minutes to learn and a lifetime to master - so you may as well get stuck in now.
The first thing to know is that it's totally legal to play poker and gamble online, so don't sweat it, Pablo Escobar, you're totally ok. Before you get stuck in, find a site with lots of players: plenty of competition means you'll be sharp as a tack in no time at all. Popular sites are also filled with "fish" - aka bad players - but fret not, they'll point you in the right direction and get you on the path the winning some cash dollar. Probably...
Start Off With No Money On The Table
Loads of sites out there offer play-money games where you can enjoy poker without risking a single penny. While 'fun' players tend to play looser than real-money ones, they're good for polishing up your skills. Yeah, you're likely to play a little harder if you've got real, hard cash at risk, but still, you've got to find some time to get your bearings and all that. Kerching!
Only Move Up Stakes When You're Actually Capable
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So, you've made a deposit and you're testing out the small stakes cash games and tournaments. How do you know when to increase the stakes? The beauty of online poker rooms is that you can play at virtually any level of stakes you like. Don't be tempted by the big-money games: you need to regularly beat your current level before considering the next stakes up. Be wise, be measured and be sensible (ish) before you lose it all (dignity included).
Take a Shot At The Big Games, At Least Every Once In A While
Playing within your limits is important if you don't want to go broke. But it's OK to take a chance on a big money tournament every once in a blue moon. Most of the bigger poker rooms have tournaments that guarantee a certain prize pool. If there's an "overlay" (aka: there aren't enough players to cover the guaranteed prize pool), then you have some value when buying in. Oh and just a tip, just because you're in the more cash heavy tournaments, that doesn't mean that all players are skilled or even necessarily good, so actually coming away with money is actually pretty possible. Can you smell the scent of cash yet?
Stay Away From Casino Games, You Have Been Warned
Once upon a time, online poker sites were able to offer just poker to their giddy little gamblers. With the majority of the USA now banned from playing online though, sites have started offering other games. 'Other games' means casino favorites like roulette, blackjack or slots, to name but a few. While you're playing poker you'll notice lots of irritating pop-ups attempting to seduce you into playing other, frankly not very exciting games. Take it from us, just focus on your poker and you'll be fine.
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Polish Up Your Skills Both Online & Off
The web is an endless virtual library of poker lessons, strategy hints and tips. Some are super helpful, while others? Well, others will ensure you'll lose everything in about six minutes flat. Poker forums are you best friend here, think lots of help, advice, and super sneaky tips and you're thinking along the right tracks. Remember to always look as though you know what you're doing though, especially around the MANY trolls just waiting to pounce on the newest member of the poker club.
If you live near a live casino, then we'd suggest heading along to try out your new-found poker skills in person. Goddamit, you'll be just so impressive. Many casinos also happen to offer beginners tournaments, so you'll fit right in and probably meet similar minded people too. Some young pros, like America's Jason Somerville, have taken to the streaming service Twitch to post videos of their sessions so that you too can get inside the mind of a bona fide millionaire pro.Win win really.
Make the Big Leap Into The Big Leagues
There are tons of poker sites vying for your business and all offering welcome bonuses to capture your attention and drag you in by the ankles. The bigger names include PokerStars, Party Poker and Full Tilt, to name but a few. You’ll also see big names like 888 there to aid you in your gambling quest. If you find that you're making steady money with online poker, but need a bankroll to go further, a staking program might be for you. There are several staking sites that can offer you a regular income in order to play poker online. You'll also receive coaching alongside cash and will have the chance to discuss hands and strategy with an established pro-poker player. And if you're really keen? Well, there are numerous online forums where you can ask professional players for buy-ins to big tournaments too.
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And Just For Some Final Inspiration- Here Are Three Students Who Ended Up As Poker MillionairesBond plays in Casino Royale):
Jonathan Duhamel: A Canadian pro, Jonathan Duhamel left college to pursue a life at the table. His decision to quit college paid off in 2010 when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event, the game's biggest tournament. His win? A cool $9 million.....
Mike "Timex" McDonald: One of the most prolific Canadian pros around, Mike McDonald made his name online, racking up over $2 million in cash with a notable skill set. His live poker earnings aren't too shabby either: he's taken down almost $13 million in wins - and he's not even out of his 20s. Just let that sink in...
Liv Boeree: This British astrophysics graduate went straight from university to the poker tables, with little to no breathing room in between. She's appeared on TV and on the covers of numerous lads mags, and her star shows no signs of dimming any time soon because to date, she's racked up almost $3 million in winnings. Not that's brain inspiration if ever I saw it.
