Online Poker: Learn to Play for Free and Win Real Cash Prizes

Getting Started with Online Poker

When you create an account, you are typically given a certain amount of play chips. If you lose all your chips, you will be provided with more. This system allows you to learn the game without any financial risk. Additionally, it helps you get accustomed to the software of a new poker room before you start playing with real money.

Advantages of Play Money

1. Risk-Free Learning: Play money allows you to learn the game without risking your own money.
2. Software Familiarization: It helps you get used to the poker room's software.
3. Strategy Development: You can develop and test different strategies without financial consequences.

Disadvantages of Play Money

1. Loose Play: Since there is no real money at stake, players tend to play more loosely than they would at a real money table. This can lead to unrealistic game scenarios.
2. Lack of Seriousness: Some players may call every hand down to the river with hands that would typically be folded in a real money game.

Making the Most of Play Money

To get the most out of play money tables, try to treat the play chips as if they were real money. Avoid seeing every flop and calling every hand just because others are doing so. Instead, focus on playing skillfully and accumulating chips through tight, strategic play.

Absolute Poker's Play Chip Challenge

At Absolute Poker, you can earn $50 of real money if you can build up 15 million play chips. While this may sound impossible, over one hundred players have achieved this feat and are listed in the Absolute Poker 15 Million Chip Hall of Fame. Some have even done it multiple times!

Freeroll Tournaments

Many poker rooms also offer 'freeroll' tournaments, which are free to enter but have real cash prizes. For example, Absolute Poker hosts a $50 freeroll every two to three hours, awarding $10 to the winner and $5 to other players who make it to the final table. These tournaments can attract up to 2,000 players, making the competition fierce but providing a risk-free way to get acquainted with multi-table tournaments.

Interesting Stats

• According to a report by Statista, the global online gambling market was valued at $66.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $92.9 billion by 2023 (Statista).
• A study by the University of Hamburg found that around 85% of online poker players are male, with the majority aged between 18 and 34 (University of Hamburg).

Conclusion

If you want to try your hand at poker without the risk of losing money, play money tables and freeroll tournaments are excellent options. They provide a risk-free environment to learn the game, develop strategies, and even win real cash prizes. Good luck!

Sources:

• Statista
• University of Hamburg