How to Play Free Poker Online

In response to the increasing popularity of poker, many websites now offer free online poker. The free games offer an excellent way to learn the game and have fun without risking your money.

Instructions

1. Read reviews of free online poker websites. Many websites now offer free poker, but some are better than others. Read the reviews at Pokernews (see Resources below) to help you get started. Also rely on word of mouth to help you find a good poker place. If you have some friends who have enjoyed playing at a particular site, try joining where they play.

2. Look at the rules and regulations of the poker website before playing. Even if you are not intending to bet any money, there may still be restrictions that you need to follow. Poker websites are usually monitored, so stay safe by following the rules.

3. Find out if the poker website has the free game that you want to play. Just about all websites offer No Limit Texas Hold'em because of its popularity, which is great if you want to play that game. However, there are many other fun poker variations to try playing. Find a place that offers some variety so that you don't tire of one particular game. Doing this will also increase your confidence to play a wide variety of poker games when you are with friends or at a casino.

4. Download the game, if necessary. Some games do not need to be downloaded, but many poker websites require a download. Check and see if your computer meets the minimum specifications. Some games are only available for the Windows operating system. Look for websites that offer compatibility with Macs or Linux if you don't use Windows.

5. Install the software. You won't be able to play until the software is installed on your computer.

6. Join a free poker game and start playing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are a casual poker player who doesn't want to hassle with downloading and installing software, many game websites offer poker, such as at Yahoo! games (see Resources below).

• Playing online can help you learn the rules of poker. However, the style of play found online is usually different than what you find at a casino or even a game with friends. People are unafraid to bet aggressively because there is nothing to lose when no money is at stake.

Resources

• Visit Pokernews.com for free online poker website reviews
• Visit Yahoo! Games for free poker