For those of us more experienced players, we remember the first time signing up to play real money poker.  The potential to win big and become a professional online poker, the ability to quit our dead-end jobs and buy a Maserati were just a couple hours away.  Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have that excited feeling back in my poker game.  After hours upon hours of first hand knowledge, I’ve decided to put together a checklist for new online poker players:

1. Don’t be intimidated.  Remember that you’re playing online; no one can see how nervous or new to the game you might be.  For all your opponents know you’ve been playing for years and are about to take their money.
2. Start off slow.  There is nothing wrong with watching out the other players bet, folding your cards when you’re not the big blind and just waiting to get a monster hand before jumping in and betting.  I like Absolute Poker’s site for newbies.  The bets are small, the players are friendly…it’s an easy place to get used to the odds and how the game is played.
3. Learn the odds.  Online poker is a game of odds with a little luck.  Know the odds and you’ll make money, guaranteed.  The majority of online poker players are gamblers…not mathematicians.  Use our online odds helper to learn when you should be calling, raising and folding.
4. Have fun.  Poker is a great escape from the real world.  Use it as an opportunity to bond with other players and learn a truly great game.