Most people these days start out playing poker online for free with play money. In fact, the majority of players on nearly all sites are playing in these fake money games.
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Play money poker is a great way to learn the game and also to understand on a basic level how people think at the poker tables. But if you ever really want to get somewhere in poker, then you eventually have to switch over to real money play.
In this article I am doing to discuss a few of the ways to use the skills you can learn in play money games to help you make money at the real money poker tables.
Tight is Right
The first thing that you will probably notice when playing play money poker is how crazy and loose everybody is.
There is a reason for this. When nothing is on the line there is no incentive for most people to care about what hands they play or if they win or lose.
They are essentially just splashing the chips around and having fun. Many of your opponents probably do not even know that there is a skill advantage to be had in this game in the first place! So you can immediately gain a huge edge in the play money games by simply playing tighter than your opponents.
Now this doesn’t mean that you need to be folding everything but the absolute nuts. But you don’t need to be playing every ace-rag hand, unsuited junk, and all the other bad cards that they play.
This approach actually transitions well to the real money tables. Even though you will notice a huge difference in the “seriousness” of your opponents at the real money tables — where, in fact, several of them will play tight — many games at the lower stakes still have plenty of loose players in them.
By making sure that you fold a lot of the junk hands that they play, you will immediately gain an advantage over them by starting with a stronger range. This also makes it much more likely for you to reach showdowns with hands that are just a bit better than your opponents', such as when you out-kick them or have a higher flush.
Many bad players chalk these hands up as being “coolers” when in fact they are not. If you choose to play a lot of trashy hands, then you are going to get the short end of the stick more often than others do.
Learning to be Aggressive
Another skill that play money poker will teach you is to be aggressive. Something that you will notice in these games right away is that every hand is one big limp fest. Everybody and their dog calls the big blind and enters the pot.
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When you have a good hand, you need to raise in these situations in order to thin the field. You also simply want to get more money in the middle when you have the best of it.
Learning this skill will also be useful when you make the jump to the real money games. While you won’t see anywhere near as much limping, it will still happen at the lower limits in particular on a regular basis.
It is important to use this skill that you learned to isolate the weaker players who limp and then to also follow it up by betting again after the flop, especially if you connect with the board well.
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The fact is, poker players at the play money tables and in low stakes real money games are by and large very passive. This means that in order to win a big pot you often need to build it yourself. And the only way that you can do that is by betting and raising.
Avoid the urge to slow play your big hands and start building that pot. As you saw in play money, they love to call. Give them a chance to do just that.
Letting Go of Weak Draws
Another way in which you can immediately gain an edge over your play money opponents is by letting go of weak draws.
As you know in these games, play money players are notorious for chasing every weak draw to the river or even calling the whole way with bottom pair. However, simple math tells us most of the time they do not hit their long shot and therefore lose the hand.
Understanding the need to let go of weak draws transitions to real money play as well. In order for you to have success in these games, it is necessary for you to fold weak draws, especially when your opponent is betting big.
You can even take it a step further and learn some of the basic math in these spots to help guide your decisions. Memorize the odds of hitting a flush draw, straight draw, a gutshot, making two-pair hands, and so on, both with one card to come and with two cards to come.
You can then quickly calculate the pot odds that your opponent is giving you in order to determine if you are getting the right price to continue or not. These are all things you can practice at the play money tables, then benefit from when you carry them over to real money games.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to beat play money games when playing poker online can actually help you win at the real money tables as well. Many people write off play money as a place simply to learn the rules of the game and then move on.
For the most part this is true. If your goal is eventually to start making money playing poker, you should not spend any considerable amount of time at the fake money tables because it isn’t real poker and of course you aren’t playing for anything.
But many of the skills that you will learn in order to beat the play money games such as how to play tight, learning to be aggressive, and how to value bet and let go of weak draws will help you win at the real money tables as well.
Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams is the author of the popular micro stakes strategy books Crushing the Microstakes and Modern Small Stakes. He also blogs regularly about all things related to the micros over at www.blackrain79.com.
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Known more for its college sports and the great city of Cleveland than its gambling and legal real money poker betting lore, Ohio has historically been opposed to gambling expansion. But due to the economic woes wrought by the financial crisis of 2008, OH, the Buckeye State, was in desperate need of a revenue generating outlet. One proposed solution: build land-based casinos and real cash poker gambling rooms. And that it did.
Whether or not the state’s sudden change of heart towards poker gambling and real money betting will result in the passage of online poker legislation ushering in lawful Internet poker websites in Ohio is currently unknown, but Ohio and its 11.54 million inhabitants could certainly support a thriving stand-alone iGaming real money Internet poker operation.
Like so many other states that recently approved the construction of land-based casinos and live real cash poker venues, Ohio is likely to take a cautious wait and see approach towards regulated online gaming and legit Internet poker. Factors such as the iGaming Internet poker market performance in New Jersey and the real cash gambling revenue generated from Ohio’s own casinos and legal poker rooms will most certainly weigh into Ohio’s decision, as will decisions made by other state governments regarding Internet gambling and real money poker websites.
But for now, Ohio’s gambling community can take solace in the fact that their state is on the precipice of great change when it comes to real cash poker gambling.
Gamblers from The Buckeye State can choose from a wide selection of our listed real money US poker sites. What are you waiting for?
Sweeping Changes in Ohio’s Gambling Landscape
Quick Jump
- 4 The Facts
Ohio’s first casino and live poker betting facility, the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland, opened its doors in May, 2012 [2]. The revamped facility features a nearly 100,000 square-foot gambling arena, over 2,000 slots, 63 table games and a 30 table WSOP themed real money poker gambling room. Since its launch, several casinos have opened their doors to Ohio’s faithful poker gambling enthusiasts, and to date Ohio plays host to four full-fledged land-based real cash casinos.
In their first year, Ohio land-based casinos raked in a modest $616 million in real money betting revenues and more importantly created 6,000 new jobs [3].
But as welcoming as Ohio has been to brick and mortar casinos and real cash poker rooms, it has become equally intolerant of Internet gambling and lawful poker websites.
In May 2013, the Ohio Senate banned Internet cafes via an overwhelming 27-6 vote [4]. The reasoning behind the ban – legal online sweepstakes that offered patrons the chance to play gambling games for real cash. Unfortunately the games somewhat resembled slot machines, and were deemed a loophole for Internet Cafes to conduct iGaming and Internet poker operations.
Can Players from Ohio Play Online Poker?
Although there is no official piece of legislature that would legalize real cash online poker websites in Ohio up for consideration, there are plenty of Internet poker websites accepting real money poker players from the Buckeye State. Do note however, that not all US-player friendly poker gambling websites permit players from Ohio. But thankfully, enough do that you should have no problem finding a seat at the virtual Internet poker felt. All US poker websites on our homepage are currently accepting Ohio players.
Creating an Internet poker account is easy; 15 minutes should be more than enough time to choose a moniker, verify your identity, and make your first deposit to start gambling real money at the Internet poker tables from your home in Ohio.
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Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
We’re not a legal authority on lawful poker websites, and as such, can only provide our informed opinions regarding the legality of betting on online poker games like Texas Hold’em at Internet poker websites in Ohio. But what we can do is offer you a condensed, easy-to-read version of Ohio’s somewhat confounding gambling and poker betting statues. This way, if you do seek legal consul, you’ll be equipped with a better understanding of existing OH state real cash gambling laws.
Listed below are noteworthy aspects of Ohio gambling law:
- The confusion surrounding Ohio’s betting and gambling statues begins with the definition, or rather the lack thereof, of gambling. However, a definition of gambling can be indirectly inferred from the definitions of Bet, Games of chance, Games of chance conducted for profit, and Gambling device.
- Games of chance in Ohio are defined as poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value, including real money, in the hope of gain, the outcomes of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo.
- Anyone that violates the long list of provisions outlined Sections 2915.02, which includes bookmaking, gambling promotion, facilitating gambling or betting activity and to engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood is subject to a first-degree misdemeanour in Ohio, and those with a prior conviction history can be charged with a fifth-degree felony. Note that the last provision could easily apply to a professional real cash gambling poker player.
- According to Section 2915.03, no person, being the owner or lessee, or having custody, control, or supervision of premises, shall use or occupy such premises for gambling or betting in violation of Section 2915.02 of the Revised Code. The penalties for running such an operation in OH are the same as those for violating Section 2915.02 directly.
- Those caught gambling at a public house (hotel, tavern, store etc.) can be charged with a minor misdemeanor. Repeat offenders are guilty of a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Ohio’s extensive and long-winded gambling and betting statues go on to depict many more unlawful gambling and poker betting scenarios. If you wish to read more, please see the “References” section [5].
The Facts
The History of Gambling in Ohio
19331933
Pari-Mutuel betting becomes legal for horse racing as its approved by the Ohio General Assembly.
19731973
Lottery began in the state of Ohio due to constitutional amendment.
19741974
Lottery tickets went on sale for the first time.
19751975
Charity bingo became legal for the first time.
19871987
Lottery profits are to be directed towards education funding after being approved by Ohio voters through a referendum.
20092009
A new referendum gets passed which legalized gambling at four new casinos spread out through the state. They were to be located in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. These casinos were proven to be really successful and generated a large amount of annual revenue.
20122012
Since 1933, racetracks hadn’t really tried to add anything to boost their services, but in 2012 they started to offer Video Lottery Terminals. This technology was soon to be added to 3 more racetrack-casinos in the near future.
Despite Ohio’s long-standing anti-gambling stance, the state has a surprisingly long and storied history of gambling and poker betting. Dating back to the days of first U.S settlers in the early-1800s, travelers, miners and other blue-collar workers could be found gambling it up at one of the state’s many saloons betting real money in legal games. Gambling was particularly prevalent in towns bordering the Ohio River, going so far as to attract the attention of residents from neighboring Midwest states.
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The first attempt to ban real cash betting on games of chance occurred in 1861, but given the distressed state of the Union at the time, they were hardly enforced. After the Civil War, authorities began requiring all institutions holding games of chance to possess a government issued gambling license. And by 1910, OH establishments hosting gambling activities like real money betting on Texas Hold’em poker were outlawed. Ultimately, the gambling ban did more harm than good, as it gave rise to Ohio’s burgeoning underground gambling and poker betting scene.
In 1933, largely due to the economic turmoil caused by the Great Depression, Ohio legalized pari-mutuel wagering and real cash betting on games including real money poker. It was one of the first states to do so. Over the course of the next several decades, horse racing betting laws were expanded to include the legalization of phone and off-track betting.
Voters approved the introduction of a state real cash lottery in 1973. Ohio would eventually expand its lottery operation to include a multi-state lottery. Proceeds from the real money gambling on the lottery are used to fund educational programs within the state of OH.
Charitable gambling, casino and legit real money poker nights were also legalized in Ohio. Subsequently, talks about expanding into the commercial casino and real cash poker room market began in the 1990s, but it wouldn’t be until the late 2000s – twenty years and five tries later – that Ohio would finally approve the construction of full commercial casinos and real money poker gambling venues.
Regulated Gambling Options in Ohio
Of the six most widely recognized forms of gambling: lottery, pari-mutuel, charitable, commercial, tribal and racetracks, only one – tribal – is not legal within the Buckeye State.
However, there are strict penalties for participating in unregulated gambling activities like real money poker games which are not legal, as outlined in the sections above.
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Ohio poker players enjoy legal land-based games, and there’s plenty of online poker action, as the Buckeye State is a top contender to legalize online poker.
The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Ohio
The future legality of online poker and Internet poker websites within Ohio’s state lines remains something of a mystery.
There has been a surplus of encouraging signs in the Internet poker world, most notably, Ohio’s rapid land-based real money poker room gambling expansion efforts. However, because casinos and real cash poker facilities require so much oversight, especially in their early days, OH state officials are devoting the majority of their efforts to Ohio’s existing real cash gambling revenue streams, not some speculative online operation of legal real money Internet poker websites.
And even though Ohio Lottery Director Dennis Berg has gone on record indicating that the topic of online gaming and Internet poker warrants investigation [6], no lawful poker website gambling bill has yet been proposed by OH state officials. Coupled with the recent Internet café ban and it appears that Ohio is in no immediate rush, nor sees an overwhelming benefit, to regulating iGaming Internet poker and gambling on real money poker websites.
That doesn’t mean online gaming and Internet poker will never come to Ohio, quite the contrary. Ohio pulls in far too much real cash betting revenue from gambling to simply disregard an alternative wagering avenue like legal poker websites in OH.
Fun Fact
In May 2013, the Hollywood Casino and legit real money poker room in Columbus hosted the state’s first major poker gambling tournament series. The 13-day Hollywood Poker Open featured single table satellites, super satellites and an unheard of 7-day $1,090 buy-in Main Event poker betting game [7].
Shortly thereafter, in September 2013, the Horseshoe Cincinnati played home to a WSOP-C, 12 event real cash poker tournament series, which culminated in a $1,675 re-entry Main [8].
The Bottom Line
After remaining stagnant for the better part of 20 years, Ohio’s gambling and poker betting industry is quickly picking up steam. Should Ohio’s four new commercial casinos and legal real cash poker rooms succeed, it is very likely that before long, the OH state government will at least explore the potential benefits of iGaming and lawful real money Internet poker websites. Although one gets the feeling that ultimately, Ohio’s entry into the online poker websites arena hinges on the success of New Jersey’s real cash Internet poker operation and the entry of neighboring Pennsylvania.
Time will tell, but for now, Ohio is near the top of a relatively short list of states with a realistic chance of passing iGaming Internet poker legislation into law which means gambling fans could be seeing a legal real money Internet poker website for OH players pretty soon.
References
[1] ↑Struggling Ohio Votes to Open Doors to Casinos
[2] ↑Horseshoe Cleveland, Ohio’s First Casino, Opens its Doors to the Public
[3] ↑Ohio Wraps up first year of casino gambling; payoff still taking shape
[4] ↑Why Did Ohio Just Ban Internet Cafes?
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[5] ↑LaWriter – Ohio Laws and Rules
[6] ↑Is online poker headed to Ohio?
[7] ↑Hollywood Casino Columbus to Host First Major Poker Tournament Series in Ohio
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[8] ↑Horseshoe Cincinnati – WSOP.com
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