Play Poker Online For Free Without Downloading
Play Poker Online For Free Without Downloading
Online poker has come a long way in its 20-year history. One of the first major milestones for poker when it became available on the internet was the option to download a program that offered exclusive online poker, but the industry has now come full circle with many players now preferring to return to games that require no download.
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There are pros and cons for both download and no-download online poker, but in today’s day and age, it seems there are more benefits to players when they can play their favorite games without the necessity of a download. The top sites are moving in a direction that gives players the option to download or not, which puts the decision in the hands of the customers. While no-download poker sites are not always up to the standards that a dedicated and downloadable program offer, this gives many sites the incentive to try with consistently improving online poker software.
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What is No Download Poker?
No-download poker is also known as instant-play poker. The sites often display a “Play Now” button on the home page that indicates no download of a program is needed, that play can begin by simply going to the site online.
Most of the no-download sites offer their poker action via Macromedia Flash or Java programming. Players can access the sites via most web browsers, like Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Safari, though each site has its own preferences and suggestions for the browsers that will best support their games.
Benefits for Players
Many poker players prefer no-download sites for convenience, safety, and speed. In fact, there are many reasons that it is becoming more popular, which is why many online poker operators are beginning to offer instant-play games. They know that recreational players, which comprise the fastest growing demographic in today’s online gaming environment, do not need or desire a downloadable program.
The benefits of no-download poker sites include:
- Convenience being able to play immediately without waiting for a download
- Saving computer space without using MBs for a software program
- Saving mobile device storage for other apps, as online poker programs can require a lot of MBs
- Safety from computer bugs that may be attached to downloaded programs
- Not having to wait for updates to load every time the operator upgrades the software
- Issues with firewalls or security settings that may stop downloads
- Speed of play relies solely on internet connection strength
- Ability to play from any computer or mobile device
Perhaps the biggest advantage is saved for Mac poker players, as downloaded online poker programs are rarely smooth and without hiccups even when the operators do provide specific Mac options. Mac users often find that the instant-play poker option is best, as it allows smooth play but none of the hassle of an incompatible program or the necessity of a dual-boot for Windows just to play poker online.
Disadvantages of No-Download Poker
There are a few disadvantages to poker sites that offer only instant-play options and no downloadable program for their players. Most of those do not pertain to recreational players but to semi-professional or pro players. The downsides include:
- Difficulties with multi-tabling, or playing several tables or tournaments at the same time
- Accessing all features, as instant-play offers fewer perks and features than downloads
- Fewer game options than the downloadable programs
- Graphics may not be as sharp or colorful
- Some poker sites do not allow large financial transactions through web browsers
Professional poker players rarely use no-download poker options because they want to get the most of their poker experience and need access to all possible games and stakes. These players, however, typically have computers with more hard drive space and the ability to handle multiple, large downloaded programs.
Are the Sites Safe & Secure?
No-download poker sites are just as safe as any other program accessed on the internet. The security measures taken by poker operators include encryption and other top-level technology used to keep their players safe from hacking and cybercrime activities. The sites put just as much of a priority on instant-play poker sites as they do with the downloadable versions because it benefits the site and players to keep personal information safe.
As with all online poker, some of the safety of personal information falls on the shoulders of the players themselves. Players should always be careful with passwords, changing them often, and using different login information for real-money online poker than on other programs accessed on the same computers.
Those on poker sites without download should be careful, however, to always play on secure internet connections and protect information by not saving it to a web browser. Some browsers automatically save login names and passwords, so it is important to erase that history when playing on an open-play site.
Bonuses and Promotions
Very few poker sites restrict their bonuses and promotions to download players only. Typically, all deposit bonuses, reload opportunities, and promotions are available to players no matter if they download or play from a web browser.
It is important to check with the site’s customer service department, however. The top sites offer multiple ways to consult with representatives, and players should use email or the instant chat boxes to make sure they are not missing anything by choosing instant-play over downloads.
Play-Money and Real-Money
Online poker players should pay attention to the instant-play options, as some of those are reserved for play-money action only. It doesn’t preclude a player from then using the downloadable version to establish a real-money account, but knowing the difference can save time.
The bottom line is that players should read the fine print before clicking the “Play Now” button or proceeding with a poker site download.
Meanwhile, check out these top sites that offer instant-play with no download required for online poker.
Play Poker Online For Free Without Downloading Game
Poker is a famous pastime, one that doesn’t need to be played for money to be enjoyed. Professional players may not agree with that assessment, but even they can think back to their humble beginnings when they wanted to learn the basics of the game without losing their bankroll.
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No matter the reason for wanting to play free poker, there are many places to find it. Nearly all of the major online poker sites offer dot-net websites that can be played without any financial investment whatsoever. Those sites allow players to compete for play-money and coins, and while players may be able to buy a few coins with real money, the vast majority of them compete for the simple love of poker.
What are the Benefits of Free Poker?
With no money at stake, can poker really be enjoyable? Yes! The game is one of strategy and excitement, the thrill of the all-in and the suspense of the river card. And the pure fun of it is why it is played by millions of people of all ages at kitchen tables around the world.
There are numerous benefits of playing free-play games, though. Whether one aspires to become a professional player or simply to improve those skills enough to beat family members at the next reunion, there are many things to gain by putting in some time at the play-money tables.
- Learning the Basics:The best way to learn the basics of betting, raising, and position is to practice. Of course, using primers on websites like ours is always a great starting point, but it doesn’t always make sense until those lessons are put into practice at actual online poker tables.
- Practicing Strategies: As a player improves, it is beneficial to devise strategies or take ones found in books and on instructional websites and try them out. Play-money poker is the best place to see how well those strategies work for each player and if they work as intended. Every player finds different strategies that work best for them.
- Bankroll Management:Before investing hard-earned money to an online poker site, try to manage play money first. Since a skilled player never puts more than 10% of their bankroll on the line at any one time, it is a good idea to try that method with play-money poker and learn how to manage that bankroll, even if it doesn’t contain real money.
- Discovering Swings: Poker can be filled with upswings and downswings. No matter how much skill is employed, the luck of the draw can get even the best players time after time. While the odds are always in the favor of the players who use skills, getting the full experience of the potential downswings of poker is a good lesson.
- Managing Tilt: Even with no money on the line, the actions of other players or frustrations with one’s own play can put players on tilt. It’s not uncommon to see players go crazy in the chat boxes at free-play poker tables because they ran into bad luck. Learning to manage tilt comes easier before real money is on the line.
- Garnering Experience: Most live poker players know that poker online is different and adjustments must be made. Starting on a play-money site is the best way to get the feel for the online tables, even for those with experience in live games.
Warnings about Free Poker
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This is not as ominous as it sounds, but there are some things that players should consider when playing free poker. It is going to be different from real-money poker online in several ways.
First and most importantly, players on free poker sites tend to be much looser in their playing styles. Without real money on the line, they might be more apt to call on every street, bluff more often, and play more wildly in general. This will change when switching to a real-money site, but there are quite a few players on free sites who take it seriously.
Second, don’t get tricked into buying play-money coins! Free poker sites always provide ways to win more free chips or coins, so there is no need to buy any if the option presents itself. If a player is that desperate for coins or chips, it might be time to read about tilt and figure out a way to manage it.
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Third, there is no need to rush from play-money to real-money poker. Winning a few hands or even a few days in a row doesn’t mean the jump should be made immediately. Take the time to experience some of the ups and downs, and don’t get overconfident because of a few million play chips.
What are the Top Free Poker Sites?
The best place to play poker for free is with PokerStars, 888poker, or PartyPoker. Instead of using the dot-com website address, simply replace with dot-net to access the free-play sites. These sites have invested a great deal of time and energy into providing an extensive free platform as well as offering tutorials, lessons, and tips for every level of player – from new to advanced. Take advantage of the information at no charge.
Ultimately, those sites will also offer special deals and bonuses to open a real-money account on their sister dot-com sites. While there is no rush to do so, it is good to have those bonus options to make the most of that first deposit when the time comes.
Even if sites don’t offer a specific free-play site, other poker sites like Ignition Poker and Intertops offer information that is meant to help new players improve their play. Most sites also offer things like freeroll tournaments that cost nothing to enter but give players the chance to win real money. This helps new players build their bankrolls with little to no initial investment.
No matter where a new player chooses to play, it is always beneficial to gain experience and move up slowly. Every pro player will give that same advice.
Is Learning Online Poker Easy?
I used to get intimidated by the enormous variety of poker sites online. What’s more, I had heard all sorts of stuff about how online poker players were really good, how I’d have a hard time at the tables, and how I should just stick to play money games to avoid losing my house. Had I taken these things to heart, I might not have learned poker at all! But I took the dive, head-first, and am glad I did. Nobody is ‘really good’ online. I didn’t have a ‘hard time’ at the tables. And I still have a roof over my head. Everything I had heard turned out the be the opposite of reality. Poker is an easy game if you play at one of the soft poker sites. The only hard thing about it is learning the rules, and even that only takes about five minutes.
Don’t doubt for one second that you can easily learn to play poker. And take it from me — you’ll be much better off learning online as opposed to in a casino.
Why Learn to Play Poker Online?
For starters, you’ll see more hands per hour online than in a brick and mortar cardroom. Online poker is inherently faster than live, because it’s easier to click a button than to shuffle chips and read stacks. The faster pace means you’ll be exposed to more poker situations in a shorter period of time playing online. This will make you a better player in the long run.
Second, playing poker on a software client is much more convenient than playing at a live table. In a casino, you’d have to memorize chip values and learn all sorts of arcane casino-specific rules. Online software displays bet amounts and stack values in plain-old number format — so easy to read! I can’t stress enough how helpful this is when you’re learning.
Third, you’ve got all the resources you can find on the net available to you when playing online. You can keep a poker table open on one half of your screen, and a starting hand chart on the other half. You can search Google if you run into tough situations. You can vent about bad beats to your friends via IM. I could go on and on about all the benefits to playing online. But I’d end up writing an entire book. Suffice it to say that the best poker sites to learn poker online beat out the best casinos any day.
3 Important Factors: Easy, Appealing, and Fun
Once you’ve made up your mind to learn the game online, it’s time to pick a site. This doesn’t have to be hard, or intimidating. Just ask yourself the following three questions about any poker site you come across:
1. Does this poker site look easy to use?
2. Is this poker software visually appealing?
3. Does this poker site look like it’s a fun place to play?
Factor 1 is pretty simple. If a poker site looks confusing or complicated, what’s the point? When you’re just learning how to play poker online, you don’t need all sorts of fancy features to deal with. You just need a simple, sensible poker client that will help you ease into the game. I found 888 poker to be one of the easiest poker sites for me. Everything I needed to get started was basically available on one screen. I just downloaded the client, clicked the link to register for an account, and boom! I was done.
Factor 2 boils down to personal preference. You’re not a professional grinder, so you don’t need to put up with crappy software just because the games are ‘good.’ Pick a poker site that agrees with your aesthetic sensibilities. In this regard, I found Bovada Poker to be the clear winner. The table layout is very simple — no distractions. Bet amounts are clearly labelled, action buttons are prominent and visible, and the games flowed smoothly. Bovada almost won me over with its well-designed software (I chose 888 though, in the end.) Try both sites, and see which you prefer.
Factor 3 is, again, a matter of personal preference. Does a prospective site look like fun to play on? If you aren’t having a good time — especially while you’re learning to play poker online– you won’t want to stick with the game. So if anything about a site puts you off, try a different one!
Play Poker Online For Free Without Downloading