| Online poker guide |
This article is a beginners guide and will help you familiarize yourself with the online poker scene and sort out the most basic questions anyone new to online poker might have. How do pokerrooms make their money?The pokerrooms make their money from the rake which is a commission fee charged for operating the game. There are two predominant rake structures that are applied depending on what type of game you’re playing.During ring games the pokerroom will charge a fee to the amount wagered by each player in accordance with the sites “rake schedule” which may vary somewhat between different sites. Most sites don’t charge rake if there isn't a flop ("no flop no drop") and reduce the rake if the game gets short-handed. When you enter a tournament the pokerroom will charge an entry fee: e.g. $2 for a $20 buy-in where $2 goes to the house and $20 go to the prize pool. (Written 2$+$20) Is online poker safe?The pokerrooms reviewed on PokerCommunity are multi-national companies and in some cases even quoted in a stock exchange and have very firm reputations. Since poker, unlike casino games, is played against other players and not the house there is little or no incentive for the pokerrooms to rig the game, since this would only damage their trustworthiness. (To them it’s the size of the pot that determines their revenue, not the outcome of the game) However, one should always be a bit restrictive when giving out credit card details on the net. We therefore recommend that you stick to one of the larger recognized Pokerrooms listed in our reviews section.What about cheating?There are many theories circling around the net that some players use bots or engage in collusion (Play together on one table and share information) to gain advantages There is however very little proof that this is a big problem. Very few players know how to work together to gain an edge and are more likely to loose than win from these practices. There are no bots commercially available that can match an average human player and the software used by the pokerrooms is very good at catching any suspicious behavior.Are there any other threats to my security?The greatest threat to your security can probably be found on your own computer. Spyware, viruses and other malicious software can try to log your credit card details as you submit them to a site. Nowadays it’s standard practice for the pokerrooms to use secure connections (SSL) to minimize these risks but you should always make sure you have an updated anti-virus program and a firewall installed on your computer just in case.How do I get started?First of all you need to decide which pokerroom you want to play at. This varies from person to person depending on your individual taste. To get an overview of what factors are important read our “Choosing a pokerroom” article and then have a look at our reviews section to see what pokerroom best suites your needs. Once you decided click a link to pokerroom on PokerCommunity and you’ll receive our bonuses.What do I need to get started?Registering an account is simple and a valid e-mail address is basically all you need, since you don’t have to deposit any money when you sign-up. The pokerrooms usually allow you to participate in play-for-fun games and try out their software before you make your first deposit.Once you feel ready to make a deposit there are a number of ways to go about it. Some common deposit types are Neteller, Firepay, Credit Card and wire transfer. After making your first deposit the money will be held in your account with the pokerroom, and increase or decrease according to your fortune, until you choose to make a withdrawal. Withdrawal options and speed vary somewhat. Pokerrooms will typically transfer the money to your bank account, send you a check or deposit the money to a third party of your choice like for instance Neteller. What now?Have a look in our reviews section or read the “choosing a pokerroom” article before you decide where to play and make sure you click on a link so you don’t miss out on any bonuses.Choosing a poker room Poker room reviews |
