Tue, 09/13/2011 – 07:41 – PokerPages Staff

When playing online poker at PokerStars there are two main ways in which you can play the game.  Both ways offer a fantastic poker experience, but with major differences between the formats it is important that beginner poker players are aware of what they are getting themselves into before they sit down at the virtual table.  If you’ve ever wondered what the differences are, read on and be illuminated.

Cash Ring Games

Cash ring games are the sort of games that people play around kitchen tables up and down the country.  Likewise, if you’ve ever walked into a casino and just started playing poker at a table, the likelihood is that you are playing a cash ring game.  All poker bets at cash ring tables are for real money, with the possibility on some tables of playing for some seriously high stakes.  It is important to be aware at all times that each bet you place is for your money from your account.

Tournaments

Whether playing a single or multi table tournament, the premise remains the same: your entry fee, or buy-in, buys you a stack of chips from which all of your bets are taken.  Other than your buy-in, no more of your money is at risk, as every other bet is for ‘imaginary’ money.  Chips have no monetary value, with the prize structure of tournaments dictated by the number of players participating and the size of the buy-in.  Unlike a cash ring game, where you can choose to walk away and cash up after any hand, in a tournament players only leave the table when they are out.

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Fri, 09/09/2011 – 07:32 – PokerPages Staff

New members of poker sites like PokerStars will be excited and interested by the chat client on the site.  There are a number of unwritten rules that it pays to follow for a couple of reasons: firstly, it will avoid annoying your fellow poker players.  Perhaps most importantly, not following these simple rules may mark you as a beginner poker player, and make you a target for any potential sharks out there.

Keep it Clean
When playing online poker, although the activity is very much aimed at adults, it is best to keep language clean and family friendly.  Nobody wants to read foul mouthed, derogatory or otherwise offensive comments, so be sure to behave yourself.

Be a Good Loser, and a Better Winner
Although even the pros fall down on this one from time to time, don’t annoy your fellow poker players by crowing if you win, or getting cross when you lose.  The very nature of poker means that every game will have more losers than winners.  If you do win, be magnanimous and don’t rub your opponents’ faces in it.  Likewise, it doesn’t hurt to offer a congratulatory word to the winner.

Stay in the Game
If you are chatting whilst playing, keep an eye on the game.  If you’re keeping other players waiting because you’ve fallen behind in the betting then you will annoy others.  Remain focused on what you are doing.  If you aren’t paying attention, you may miss crucial moments of play.

One Player, One Hand
If you’re out of a hand, don’t try to offer advice to other players.  The old adage ‘one player, one hand’ means that it is up to the player, and the player alone to make their decision over their poker bets. They don’t need anyone else to chime in.

‘Want to learn more? PokerSchoolOnline is the Internet’s number one source for poker related learning.’