You know a game is perfect for you when absolutely anyone can enjoy it. You've never played poker before? No worries, you can start your journey by playing low-stakes games.
And if you have years of experience under your belt? There are plenty of venues that can still challenge you.
And even more exciting, before you truly commit to the game, you can decide whether you want to test the waters for free or place real money bets.
If you are new to poker, do you know what are the pros and cons of both options? And which option should you choose? Find out whether now is the right time for you to play online poker real money games!
Pros and Cons of Free Poker and Real Money Games
Before deciding whether you should play poker for money or not, you should weigh the pros against the cons of both options. Here are a few things you need to have in mind when you play the best online poker for real money games:
There are some advantages to playing real money poker:
- Earn cash – Of course, one of the biggest perks of placing real money bets is the fact that you can double – and sometimes even triple – your investment. If you play your cards right, you can actually make a decent living from playing poker online, which is what many players truly aspire to achieve.
- Use bonuses – Most online venues offer players an array of bonuses and promotions, available only to those who play for real money. Those promos allow you to minimize the risk involved with placing bets while allowing you to start your journey with some extra cash in your pocket.
- Eliminating your opponents might be easier – When your opponent's hard-earned cash is at stake, they will be less willing to risk it. Therefore, it will be easier for you to intimidate them and bluff your way out of some tough spots, as you know everyone at the table take the situation seriously.
However, there are also a few cons involved:
- The risk is very real – While you can certainly earn some cash, you can also lose a boatload of money if you aren't careful enough. Make sure to run a tight ship and stick to your budget so you don’t lose more than you can afford to if you hit a rough patch.
- You might face serious opponents – While beginners tend to start their way with free games, experienced ones are more likely to play for real money – and do it aggressively. If you want to go down this path, make sure to be prepared for the challenge ahead of you.
On the other hand, you have the pros of free play:
- Get familiar with different poker variants without risk – New and inexperienced players might be reluctant to put their faith in a game they aren't familiar with. So, testing the games out in a risk-free environment is the best way for beginners to test the waters and see which poker variant they love the most.
- Enjoy a more laid-back approach – Placing real money bets comes with a decent amount of pressure, and it can get quite tiresome at times. If you want to play poker solely for the experience and the exhilaration involved, playing poker for free might be exactly what you're looking for.
- Gives you a chance to practice – Anyone who plans to compete with high-rollers needs to be at their level skill-wise. To get better at the game, you need to practice as much as you can, and free venues allow you to do that with minimal risk involved.
And now, let's take a look at the possible disadvantages of free poker:
- Players won't act as you might expect – When there is zero risk involved in the experience, players won't mind risking everything - even for a low pair of cards. Therefore, they are less likely to fold and act as if they are playing for real money, which might make it hard for you to sharpen your skills as much as you would like.
- You won't make a profit – And, of course, there is the money issue. While free poker games are fun, they are not as exciting when you can't actually make a profit when you win.
In Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing whether to play poker for real money or not. But before you take the plunge, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into!