Plan for Progress  

If you’re like me, you turn your nose up at free online poker games. If you remove the money aspect from the game, it’s not really poker anymore, is it? But free online poker does have its uses.

For one thing, if you’re new to the game, you can use a free online poker game to learn how to play poker. Even though you’re basically playing for the equivalent of Monopoly money and bragging rights, the action in a free Texas holdem game is the same as it would be in any other poker game.

So before you drive to the nearest cardroom to learn how to play poker, you might consider spending a little time learning the basic ins and outs of the game online. You don’t have to risk any money, and understanding how the action progresses will help you out in all kinds of ways the first time you sit down to play at a live poker table.

Another free poker option for people who just don’t like using computers is the bar poker game where you play for prize money without buying in. Most of the people who play in these kinds of amateur poker freerolls are willing to teach. And they won’t make fun of you for being new.

In fact, my suggestion is to learn how to play in this order:

1. Play some free online poker.
2. Play some free poker at the local tavern.
3. Play real poker for real money at a nearby casino cardroom.

Best of luck with your poker journey!