-
Step 1
Find an online poker tournament to participate in. Many poker websites that offer free online poker also offer tournaments. A Web search will give you many listings to choose from. Two good ones to start with include Party Poker and Full Tilt poker (see Resources below).
-
Step 2
Register for the tournament. Some tournaments are constantly starting once enough players join. But many others are set up in advance and require registration in order to participate. Make sure you register on time so you don't miss out on the action.
-
Step 3
Determine how much time you have to play. Some tournaments can last a long time. If you have a limited time to play, look for a short tournament instead. Also make sure you select a time when you will feel refreshed and ready to compete.
-
Step 4
Consider the many poker tournament variations that you can participate in. A turbo tournament is a good choice for those who don't have a lot of time to play, or for those who enjoy fast and furious betting. The blinds are raised very quickly and players are often all-in before the flop. A re-buy tournament gives you a second chance to continue playing if you lose all of your chips. This kind of tournament allows you to play more aggressively. A satellite tournament is where you play for a shot at larger tournaments rather than for money. Often the winner is given a free entry into a poker tournament held at a casino.
-
Step 5
Find out how much it costs to play. There are usually two fees. One is the cost to buy in, which gives you the chips to play with. The other fee goes directly to the poker website.
-
Step 6
See what prizes are awarded. Some tournaments are winner-take-all, where only one person receives the entire pool of money. Other tournaments award prizes to runners up.
