Getting started always feels like the hardest part, but it can actually be the most fun too. The learning curve is very steep when you’re just getting started with poker, so you’ll learn lots in your first couple of tries. The most important parts are learning your hand rankings and focusing on just one variant (we’ll come onto those in a second). Once you’ve roughly got the hang of your hand rankings and the order of play for your variant of choice, you’re ready to play. The best place to start is online, as you can find sites where it’s possible to buy in for as little as £0.01 – perfect if you’re likely to be making some beginner mistakes!
Different Varieties of Poker
The rules and stages of the game work a little differently from variant to variant, so it’s best to pick a variant first and then learn. Texas Hold’em is by far the most popular, meaning if you’d like the largest choice of tables (both online and off) then this is probably the option to plump for. However, each variant has its own unique strengths. Omaha is very popular owing to its four card format, meaning there’s more post flop action. There’s a little less option to play Omaha poker nowadays as it’s less popular than Texas Hold’em. However, that’s not to say it’s impossible! Good online casinos almost always have a couple of Omaha poker options and it’s a really fun variant.
Where to Play in Liverpool
Liverpool is actually a brilliant place to be if you want to get involved with live poker. This can be a fun way to learn and there’s a greater sense of community than playing online. The Leo Liverpool casino is a top choice. It looks out over the River Mersey and offers live poker, something that’s not always easy to find in the UK. There are multiple tables with a variety of different limits and fairly frequent tournaments too. For a welcoming spot, you might struggle to do better in the city center.
Where to Play Online
There’s a lot more choice when it comes to playing online. The first rule of thumb though, is to always look for a site with a licence from the UKGC. This is the official governing body and they have strict criteria when it comes to accepting sites that are eligible for a licence. As long as your site shows a UKGC licence, you’re safe to use it. With that out of the way, it’s time for the fun bit! Now that you’ve decided which type of poker you enjoy playing, you’ll need to look through the game library and see what’s on offer. Poker will always fall into one of two categories live dealer, or RNG. Let’s take a look at what the difference is.
Live Dealer or RNG Poker?
RNG poker was the original option for online poker. It uses a random number generator to ensure a random (and thus fair) deal every time. The graphics you encounter will be computer generated and it will feel as though you’re playing poker online. Some people like this option as it can remove any outside interferences and let you focus solely on the game.
The other option is live dealer poker, which is becoming increasingly popular. This lets you watch a real life croupier via several livestreams, as they take bets and deal. There’s usually a chat box for interacting with the other players and the dealer too. This option is fairly easy to find online nowadays too.
The final option is downloading a poker client. All of the big names in online poker have a client that’s available to download for those who want a specialist poker site (rather than a more generalist casino site). They tend to be a better overall experience, use RNGs to shuffle the deck, and have a greater choice of tables and tournaments. One thing to watch out for though, if you’re playing from the UK then your deposits will likely have to be converted into dollars in order for you to join in.