Can Play Money Games Prepare Your Real Money Poker

In real poker, you play with real money, but play money poker is the risk-free version of the game.

15:28 17 August 2022

In real poker, you play with real money, but play money poker is the risk-free version of the game. Instead of buying an entry to a tournament or exchanging cash for chips, you simply collect a set number of chips which you can then play with for free. Lots of play money poker sites are now available online, allowing you to test out the waters and try the game without risking your real money. 

 

Play money poker is a fun way to enjoy the game, and it’s also a great way to learn if you’re a complete beginner. Playing poker with real money is a lot more exciting, but it’s risky. When you’re brand new to the game, you’ll be making many mistakes, which could mean you potentially lose a lot of money too. With play money, you’re free to learn the game without fear of making mistakes. However, some might argue that you would gain more useful skills by playing for real money.

 

Making a Case for Play Money Poker

Playing online poker games is more competitive than ever, with many players treating it as their main source of income. While you used to still be able to find a lot of beginners at low-stakes tables, these days, there are sharks everywhere. Sharks are the experienced players, while new players are the fish. As you might have guessed, the sharks will take your money if they get the chance. 

 

Learning poker is difficult as although the rules are simple, it’s an incredibly complex game with a lot of variables and strategies. If you’re new, you should start off learning through guides, books, and videos before you sit down to play. However, you’ll still be a complete novice and will be learning as you play. Learning a new skill is always difficult, but even more so when facing competition. 

 

This is why play money games are useful, as they give you first-hand experience of the game without needing to risk your own money. You can learn a lot this way and get to grips with the game without having to worry about the sharks. However, you should be careful not to pick up bad habits while playing free games. 

 

Why Play Money Poker Isn’t the best Learning Experience

Because you’re not playing with real money in play money games, people tend to play a little differently. There’s no risk to playing every hand or being super aggressive, and mistakes that will cost you in real games go unpunished. Therefore, it’s actually possible to become worse over time when playing in play money games. 

 

It’s good to play risk-free for a while as a new player, but you’ll want to quickly progress to real games if you want to develop your skills. Staying in play money games for too long can cause you to learn bad habits that are later difficult to break. 

 

If you are intent on play money games, you should make sure you do it properly. Avoid playing too aggressively and stick to a tight strategy. This will give you better preparation for real money games. Imagine that each game is real and that the chips you place on the table have an actual value. This will help change your mindset and prepare you better for real games.

 

Another great way to practice poker without risking real money is participating in freeroll tournaments. These tournaments are free to enter at poker sites and offer real money prizes. The standard of play is much higher, so be prepared to lose often as a beginner. However, you don’t have to worry about losing real money, so it’s a great way to get into the game.