Any good places to play online poker?

Tony Mothka · 04-20-2003, 12:58 PM

Hi all, I am just getting into poker and am looking for some good online sites to practice up. I am mostly after non-betting (no real money), but maybe I may step up to the real deal if I feel comfortable enough. Does anyone have any experience with the online gambling? Is it safe? How does it work? Any input would be appreciated!

Marshall Alsup · 04-20-2003, 03:18 PM

I play at paradise poker sometimes. They have real and fake money tables. I'm to paraniod to play for real money on the internet. As a programmer, I know how easy it would be to set it up to cheat. So its fake money only for me.
But it is a fun place to play a fake money game. People actually fold which is farily uncommon to fake money games. Now I'm not saying its realistic..... but its better than most.

Have fun, and if you want to play poker for real money, go to a card room (IMO).

-Marshall

PS. although I wouldn't risk real money on internet gambling, my roomate bought in for $50 and took away over 700 over a couple days on PP. Lucky bastard

Jim_F · 06-11-2003, 10:47 AM

I've started playing at PartyPoker with a few bucks via money order (not a confidence inspiring mailing address, but supposedly on the up-and-up and based in Canada) No way would I use a CC or wire transfer.

So far, so good, but I haven't had occasion to cash anything out yet.

Anybody else find tournament poker easier than regular table stakes? I win at table stakes sometimes, but often take my medicine. However, I do pretty well in tourneys up to ~$30.

Richard Travale · 06-11-2003, 11:50 AM

Check out "True Poker". It is a program that you can download. It then connects you to the playing site where you can play at "play money" or real money tables. There are two game to choose from, Omaha and Texas holdem. They also hold tourneys.
As for the security, I'm not quite there yet but I have talked to a lot of folks there that say that it is perfectly safe and uncompromisable (I think someone mentioned 128bit encryption which is what the banks use).

Mark Frank · 06-11-2003, 02:20 PM

Amazing the threads you find here! I just spent quite a bit of time over the past two weeks checking into various online poker sites. The best I've found so far is Paradise Poker.

I've only played the play money games so far as well. Started out with $1000 in play money at $3/$6 Texas Holdem tables and now have over $3000. My dislikes are too many people staying in the hand way too long since its just play money and some people play way too slow. I often have to hop to a few different tables before finding a good one. I hope to eventually work my way up to the $1/$2 real tables after I get more confidence.

My username at Paradise is "IndyFranks". Hope to see you around. Good luck!

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Mark Frank · 06-11-2003, 02:28 PM

While we're on the subject:

Definitely check out World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel every Wednesday night! I love this show! Although it was a little scary when they showed one of the pro's bios two weeks ago where it listed he played most of his poker online.

Hunter P · 06-11-2003, 02:28 PM

I've tried pokerroom.com and was happy with it. Only played with play money though. They have a good variety of games.

Paul McElligott · 06-11-2003, 02:50 PM

The guy who won the World Series of Poker this year just started playing poker online three years ago.

Gives you something to shoot for.

Jim_F · 06-12-2003, 08:40 AM

Well, I've regained my humility WRT tournament poker. I guess it's best I stick with the small fish who play in the early morning and try not to be one of them. That is, at least until I improve my game considerably.

Hunter P · 06-12-2003, 02:48 PM

I guess the best advice in playing poker is patience. I would think this is easier in on-line poker since you can entertain yourself with other diversions while folding away hand after hand.

And don't get caught up in playing 2-7 off-suit because "nobody would expect it." Or playing 6-9 because "you like 69." Playing bad cards might win one or two hands but luck doesn't hold up over time. Fold it away instead of playing the lottery.