While live poker and online poker have an awful lot in common, there are some significant differences that make the reality of the game when played over the Internet a different thing. Principally, there is no way to see against whom one is pitted and to determine whether one is playing against experienced card sharks or just hobby players who are possibly even having their first poker experience online or anywhere else. Winning at online poker also means being sensible about how much one is willing to put on the line to have a good time.

Winning at online poker starts by making an honest determination of how much one has to play. Fortunately, most online establishments require that the player deposits money into a separate account other than their bank account or credit line. This means one can add a ceiling limit to the amount of money they're able to play at any given tournament or at any given table. Working with this budget, find a table where the betting limit will enable one to play long enough to learn the ins and outs of the game and to enjoy oneself without being at risk of breaking the bank.

It's important to keep in mind that the action at an online poker table will move much more quickly than it will at a casino. This is simply due to the fact that the digital dealer will be able to put out the cards much faster than a physical dealer. There's a real danger here in that one can get carried away and, because one sees so many pots, one may end up betting foolishly or based on their gut impulses rather than on their sensible decisions regarding strategy. Make certain that the fast and furious pace of the games doesn't allow one to become sloppy in their play.

While you will not be able to see the other player's faces or read their actions when they make their bets, you will be able to see a few things about their play style that should reveal a bit about the level of players against which one is pitted. For example, there are certain functions available on most online Texas Hold'em games which can be done automatically by your computer. Beginning players will oftentimes rely on these features to stop them from making bad decisions. If you should happen to see multiple players make the exact same move at the exact same time, it's a good indicator that they're using automated functions rather than their own instincts and that you is not up against the most experienced players in the world.

If you’re feeling overly stressed in the particular game you’re playing, it’s better to try some different variants of the game, whether it be limit, no-limit, tournaments, or any of the various sit-and-go games available. Also, experiment with playing both live and online, as they are different experiences, and you may find one to be much more to your liking and much less stressful than the other.

Here’s one last point: Your stress levels are significantly higher when you have been running bad for an extended period of time (breaking even or losing for more than 20 sessions). Poker players are more stressed when they have been on a losing streak, even if the losing is not seriously affecting their bankroll. In these cases you may have to adjust your game selection to compensate for the increased stress of running bad. You can play some smaller games that are generally too small to hold your focus when you are running well.