I enjoy playing free poker games in a variety of different formats. One of my favorites is playing free games on my mobile device.
Many of the mobile apps are one-hundred void of any cash prizes. Yet, getting practice on the go yields results in the casino.
Before we widely used smartphones, free poker sites were the go-to for poker fiends. These games remain popular with poker aficionados. You can benefit from leaving your bankroll out of poker sessions.
Here are 9 reasons gamblers need to play poker for free.
1. Playing Cash Games Online Is Illegal in Many Areas
Depending on where you live, playing real money online poker games may not be feasible. While sports betting is enjoying widespread legalization, traditional casino gambling lags behind.
These companies will block users in restricted areas to maintain their position. If a site allows anyone to join and play, it may not be where you should be putting your money.
The only difference you may notice is that your cash reserves aren’t diminishing. Sadly, playing for free won’t typically be adding cash to your pocket.
2. You Can Try a New Approach without Any Risk
There are dozens of poker strategies that need you to leverage your bankroll. When players execute these tactics, the rewards are immense.
Free poker games give players a setting to try a new strategy without risking their bankroll. That benefits players of all skill levels.
You will get a solid baseline for the effectiveness of techniques playing free games. The money you save will be valuable in the future.
3. Beginners Can Learn to Play
One of the significant obstacles facing beginners is the learning curve. Many players pick the game up in cash games.
That costs players unnecessary losing sessions. The experience gained as a beginner playing cash games is valuable. Yet, you can gain similar experience playing free games.
I won’t dispute that there’s a time where playing cash games is the most logical and vital step. Learning the fundamentals does not require you to expose your hard-earned money.
Having the option to practice anywhere gives you plenty of opportunities to learn. Even when you’ve only got 10-15 minutes to spare, you’ll be able to sneak in a few hands. That’s excellent for beginners that want to improve fast.
4. Become Accustomed to Competition
There are a few advantages to playing free online poker tournaments or freerolls. First, you must understand the difference.
Freerolls are events that offer cash or entries into cash tournaments as a prize but are free to enter. These events were once plentiful, but the online poker sites provide fewer by the year. Either type of event has benefits for poker players.
Poker players operate differently than cash games. Players tend to be tighter, and the flow is much more controlled.
Being comfortable could be the difference between an early exit and making money.
5. Bad Poker Players Lose a Ton at the Tables
Good poker players exist because bad poker players abound. If there weren’t fish at the tables, there’d be no point in playing.
The good players would pass money around night after night, and everyone would go hungry. The food chain is a necessary part of poker.
I see lousy poker players lose a ton of money every time I’m in the poker rooms. Every once in a while, I leave with some of that cash.
In a game that requires patience to be successful, you should crawl before you run.
6. For the Love of Poker
If you love poker, you can’t get enough of the game. When I fell in love with pokers, I was a single twenty-something.
Eventually, life caught up, and I slowed down. But those early years were full of cash games when I had money and free games when I couldn’t otherwise afford poker.
It would be best if you didn’t use that as a crutch to avoid cash games. Still, playing poker for free will get you by when it’s the only viable option.
7. Enjoy Poker in a Social Atmosphere
Casino poker rooms tend to be a bit stuffy.
You are surrounded by recreational players, not exactly sure how to behave. Many of them lean towards the extreme of being stoic and standoffish.
These players believe intimidation will give them an edge.
If you want to enjoy poker in a fun and friendly environment, try playing free games. The absence of real money makes the mood lighter.
When you’re playing against better competition, your fellow players may teach you a thing or two.
8. You’ll Face Weaker Opponents
There are two primary types of poker players in free games. One group of players genuinely want to do their best and improve.
They’ll make ridiculous plays time after time and drive you to the brink of insanity. However, both sections of players can provide you with tremendous opportunities.
The serious players will push you to become a better poker player. Having others challenge you is essential to your development. Iron sharpens iron, and these players are allies for your growth. The weak players are also making you better, but you may not recognize their benefit.
Playing poker is primarily a money-making proposition. You make money in poker by playing softer opponents.
A lot of people complain about how free games are nothing but weak players. These players obviously haven’t spent much time in real money games.
9. You’ll Level the Playing Field
In free games, you eliminate the cheats and unhealthy advantages. Online poker rooms are full of players that have extensive hand history on players.
That may seem like a small thing to you. But the advantages some players pay for could impact your bankroll and your ego.
Having the utmost confidence in your abilities will serve you well when there’s money on the line.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, free poker games won’t ever replace the real thing.
Stop leveraging your bankroll unnecessarily, and you’ll start having better results.
