The game of poker is not for the faint of heart, and mastering it requires dedication. The first step is finding a site that suits your needs and playstyle. Whether you are a beginner looking for low-cost tournaments, freerolls and no-deposit bonuses or an experienced cash-regular ready to play in small rooms through an emulator without HUD support for the sake of a few Canadian amateurs at your table, there is an online poker site out there for you.
The next step is improving your game. Poker is a game of skill over the long term, and top pros spend just as much time studying the game as they do playing it. Invest in training sites like Chip Leader Coaching or Upswing Poker, network with successful pros, and brutally analyze your own play after every session.
Finally, mastering the mental game is a must. Poker can be a very emotional game, and most players fail to keep their emotions in check, leading to poor decisions. The best way to prevent this is by working on a stress-management strategy.
When it comes to poker online, good results require a tight and aggressive approach. Whether you are playing turbo Sit ’n Gos or those soul-sucking cash games, you need to be willing to play a large range of hands and bet like a rockstar. That means not only raising preflop, but continuing to bet on the flop with suited connectors and small pocket pairs. This style of play disguises your actual hand strength and can make weaker stacks quickly regret calling you down.