Read how to bet when playing poker online in order to win as much money as possible and lose as little as possible the next time you play at your favourite online poker room. The moment you place a bet you have just declared to all the other players that you are 'in'. You are signaling that it is up to them to challenge you to find out whether you really have a strong hand or you are just bluffing. Most players will presume (wrongly) that a person who has just laid down money has to have a strong or at least a moderately strong hand.

Many players bet during the initial stages just to stay in the game hoping they will get better cards as the game proceeds. This is especially true at Texas Holdem where you aren't totally aware what your cards will be. But on the other hand don't overdo it.

If you are relatively new to playing online poker, don't do this often. If at the beginning your cards seem that they won't amount to much, take the hint and fold. Better to fold regularly and win sparingly - your wallet will thank you.

Bluffing

Should You Bluff? You can, but don't bluff often for the chances of winning online using this tactic is slim.

Placing Bets

Eventually you will have to rely on your instincts to make more money gambling at online poker, but since even your instincts need help - read the following betting situations to sharpen your betting skills.

• If you are dealing the cards (in Texas Holdem poker each of the player deals the cards in turn) and you are the last player (other than those who have only entered the minimum amount to participate in the game) this is the time to bet. No matter what they do - you won't lose. If they fold - you win; if they check - you haven't lost. You will make money but not a lot of it, but then again every small amount will add up to a large sum.
• If you aren't the dealer but are the last in the round to act you could raise to force your opposition to either check or to fold. This usually scares most players off in holdem poker because they think you have a strong combination even before all the cards have been revealed. If all fold - you keep the pot!
• But if any of your opponents are wise they won't leave and you will lose your money to them. How? All the rest of the players will have folded and since your hand isn't strong - you lose.
• Don't help others win. One way to prevent this from happening is to not perform this maneuver again and again. Do it sparingly and none will be the wiser.
• Repeat your actions always and all your holdem poker opponents will realize what you are doing and read through you.
• If you ascertain that you are going to have a strong hand then the one thing on your mind should be how to lure others into betting a lot of money. Do this and when you win you will win a huge sum and not a paltry amount. All you have to do is check the bets of your opponents. If you can do this the first time - you will win big. Why? People have a tendency to continue betting after they have already placed a bet. It's surprising how much money is lost and all just because other poker players didn't realize when to stop. Remember that if this situation is reversed on you - heed my friendly warning and let it go. It's better to lose $10 than to continue gambling and eventually lose $100.
• There's another move though aggressive that will limit the poker players in that specific hand. If you are the first person who has to play - you should immediately raise the pot. Thus all the others will have to enter not only the minimum amount required (ante) but also match your bet if they desire to remain playing. Be advised that the weaker hands might fold but you will continue playing with those with strong hands or with a lot of experience might wish to call your 'bluff'.) If you are taking part in a small game of online poker then you could and should use this tactic. If there are a lot of players - don't risk it.