Sports Then and Now

Poker is undoubtedly amongst one of the most popular online card games across the world. There are various variations of Poker that are played, but none could match the popularity of Texas Hold’em Poker. A game of skill and concentration that is enjoyed by players of all ages and genders. The rise of online poker platforms has also played a significant role in popularizing the game. As more and more players are taking up to online poker games, many new online platforms have come up to cater to their demands. 

Unless you are an experienced player, it is difficult for you to choose an online poker platform for yourself. After all, you will be putting your hard-earned money at stake, along with your identity and financial information. It is therefore important for you to choose a platform where you can play the game without any worries. On the face of it, most online poker rooms will look the same to you, but when you dig a little deeper, you will be able to notice differences in their features, game variants, software, bonus, interface, etc.

If you are confused regarding choosing the best online platform for yourself, here are some useful tips to help you in this quest: –

1.     Credentials of the website: – There are many poker sites that are not licensed to operate in India but are still offering their services. You should avoid opting for these poker sites as they can be banned anytime by the government. Instead, opt for those online poker websites that are regulated and licensed by statutory authorities in India. Moreover, the website must abide by the taxation rules and gaming rules of the government. In order to ensure that the website ensures fair play and random distribution of cards, it must be certified from a third party agency.

2.     Safety of Financial Transactions: – In order to make sure that the money you use to purchase the chips as well, your winnings must be in safe hands. Therefore, make sure that the website runs on a secure SSL server to ensure the safety of your financial information. Additionally, the online poker platform must accept payment through all legal methods such as Debit Card, Net Banking, Credit Card, Mobile Wallets, etc. Also, make inquiries about the cash-out process followed by the website and make sure that the time taken to transfer money to your bank account is within acceptable limits. 

3.     Ease of usage: – While you are expected to have certain levels of skills for playing Poker, you should not require special skills to navigate through the website. The user-interface should be user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Reliable websites generally have an attractive interface, fast loading times, and interactive graphics. Moreover, it should support different screen sizes across laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones. 

4.     Reviews: – You should also read the independent reviews posted about the respective poker website by the present and past customers. This will give you a good insight into the functioning of the website and will help you determine if it is good for you or not. 

5.     Traffic: – Another important factor that you need to consider is the volume of traffic the website enjoys. This is crucial in ensuring that the website runs round the clock and you can join in the action as and when you are free. The availability of multi-table feature along with a number of players active on the platform will help you determine its suitability for you. The logic is simple; more is the number of players active on the website; more games will be hosted to accommodate them. This will allow you to play Poker as per your convenience and preference. 

6. Type of Poker: – Different players prefer different poker variants. As a result, different websites support different types of poker games. Therefore, you must ensure that the poker website you choose offers you the exact variant that you wish to play. Otherwise, you will be stuck with something that you do not want.

7. Free Poker Games – Unless you are an expert poker player, you must opt for a poker platform that supports free poker games. This will allow you to assess the performance of the platform and understand its suitability for you. Moreover, this feature allows you to hone your poker skills and acquire knowledge about poker rules, poker sequence, and poker hands. Poker requires you to update your skills and knowledge continuously; the website you choose must support this requirement through free videos and tutorials. If you want to become a top online poker player, you must choose a platform that gives you access to the best training resources to help you understand how to play Poker. 

8. Rewards: – It is important to choose a poker website that rewards you for your patronage. Check out if the platform offers you any rewards, bonus offers, or special privileges on your continued association. Also, keep an eye out for the welcome bonus offers for first-time customers.

9. Affordability: – You must choose a platform that is affordable, i.e., allows smaller buy-ins and stakes. Also, keep an eye out for the charges levied by the platform for its services and compare them with other available options. Moreover, there should also be the option of earning real cash and prizes, without investing any money, i.e., freeroll tournaments. 

10. Financial strength: – In order to determine the suitability of the poker website, you must also ascertain the financial strength of the parent company backing the platform. Try to select such a platform that enjoys backing from a reputed entity as your money would be safe and chances of fraud would be lower as compared to small and new entrants in the market.

Playing online Poker in India could be a really enjoyable experience if you follow these tips while selecting a suitable platform. Never rush into the decision, as you might have to regret your haste later.