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How to Start Playing Poker Online
So you want to start playing online poker? You’ve heard the stories of people starting out in small money tournaments, and going all the way to the World Series? Or else you’ve read about professional poker players, and feel that you could do the same as they have? Or maybe you just think you could do well enough at it to bring in a little bit of extra very welcome income? Whatever your motives for coming in to the world of online Texas Holdem Poker, you need to think things through very carefully before putting your money down.
The first essential is to make sure that you do your research into the rules of the game, and especially the rankings of the hands. That is easy to do, especially in the modern world of computers and the internet where information is available so easily. Of course the limits and the betting round structures will vary from game to game, but make sure you understand the basics. Of course if you are completely new to the game you would be well advised to start at the free poker tables run by most of the better poker rooms, so that any mistakes you do make can be laughed off.
So many of the tutorials on online Texas Holdem Poker do not bother to consider the equipment that you will be using, but they do the beginner a disservice. Although a slow computer and poor internet connection will not mean that you lose money in hands where problems occur, they can easily mean you being sidelined at a time you are sitting on a potential big win, and the considerable loss of opportunity. Most of the online poker rooms operate what is known as an ‘all-in’ disconnection policy, which can considerably reduce your winnings if you are disconnected at the wrong time.
Opinion is very much divided as to how valuable practice on the free tables actually is, as without real money being involved, the emotions are totally different from those which you will face in real games. It is also possible that, if you continue too long in free games, you will develop a sense of fear about diving in to the real thing. Probably the best option is to start at the free tables, until you feel totally confident about knowing the rules, and then move quickly up into a paid game, albeit at an extremely low level.
In those very low stake games it is virtually impossible to lose significant amounts of money unless you play like a total maniac, yet they have a totally different feel from the free games. Cutting down the amount of time spent in free games, and moving up as quickly as possible, will give you the best possible chance of assessing your own strengths and weaknesses. Sign up for just one site, get used to the feel of their poker rooms, start in the free games, but don’t spend too much time in there. Move up as quickly as you can into the paid games, but only move up to the higher stake games when you feel you are really ready, and you can bet with stakes that you won in the smaller games.
Virginia Lottery Goes Online
Virginia Lottery Goes Online
The Virginia state lottery has dumped its daily televised drawings in favor of internet drawings in an attempt to cut costs and move into the 21st century. The Virginia lottery finally realized that most lottery players now check their numbers online. In January the Virginia lottery started internet only video streams for its daily drawings and its popular twice-a-week Win for Life drawings. Lottery officials expect the move online to save more than $1 million dollars in operating costs during the next fiscal year. Virginia is trying to deal with a $4 billion budget deficit. While the move online is primarily a cost cutting measure the lottery recognizes that most players now rely on online sources for lottery information. Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto stated, “The Internet is actually a more popular way of people getting their numbers now.”
Lottery officials report they have received a few complaints about the new policy, mostly from older people with no internet access or computer skills. An informal survey done by the Virginia lottery revealed that most states now use a combination of televised drawings and online feeds for drawings and most state lotteries also have lottery phone hot lines and email alerts for players to check lotto numbers. The executive director of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries said that most state lotteries are looking for ways to cut costs and operating expenses. Executive director David Gale stated, “State budgets are a mess. Forget about lottery budgets because they’re probably holding their own to tell you the truth.” Most states use lottery revenues for education, senior citizens, wildlife and tourism. Council of State Governments fiscal analyst Sujit CanagaRetna says he is not surprised by Virginia’s move. CanagaRetna stated, “States are looking at every possible way to corral some dollars together just to improve their bottom line. If you do a whole bunch of these little things, it could potentially add up to something significant.”
Lottery players, especially younger players, depend on the internet for information and are rapidly shifting to web based programming. The shift to online technology could mean that online lottery tickets may be the norm in the very near future. Illinois and Iowa are exploring the sale of online lottery tickets. At the present time Federal law prevents the purchase of lottery tickets online but that is expected to change soon. Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank has sponsored a bill that would clear the way for the sale of online lottery tickets. Its about time lotteries embraced 21st century technology!