The game we now know as poker has a long and storied history, but the first game that we would recognise as being similar to the modern game probably originated in New Orleans in the early 1800s. In this game, players received five cards each, and the one with the best hand won.
Mississippi steamers and the saloons that popped up along the Mississippi river were the earliest poker rooms, and the game continued to develop in America to include 5-card stud, 7-card stud, and eventually Texas Hold’Em and Omaha.
Throughout the 20th Century, the game grew in popularity, becoming a mainstay in casinos and the back rooms of bars, and often the purview of some of the most notorious gangsters in America, keeping the population gambling through Prohibition.
Skip a few decades, and we end up in the 1990s, when the internet was just getting more mainstream – and one of the developers created an online casino. The first real money online game was played on January 1st, 1998, and since then the game has exploded in popularity.
Today, you can play poker online against real people for real money from the comfort of your own home – and even better, while you are waiting for the bus on your mobile phone.
More than two thirds of the world’s population use a mobile phone. Internet penetration coupled with the prevalence of super-fast data (5G), especially in more urban areas, means that you can use your smartphone like a mini computer – accessing the internet, listening to music, and even streaming the latest blockbuster movies. Online casino developers have not been snoozing on this technology, creating a wide range of poker apps designed to work seamlessly with both Apple and Android devices. Native apps are often linked with their browser-based counterparts, which means you can play whether you are at home or out, without losing out on any functionality.
If you are new to the world of mobile poker, then the below tips will help you make the most of your game.
Top Tips for Mobile Poker
Pick the right app.
If you open your app store on your smartphone, you can find dozens if not hundreds of poker apps. Deciding on the right one for you is a personal choice, but consider:
- Availability of games
- Trusted name
- Licensed and regulated
- Easy deposits and withdrawals
- New player bonuses
Make an account.
You will need to share some basic details to create an account, including financial information (which is why it is important that you choose a trusted provider). Once you have made an account, you will usually need to deposit some funds to play with.
Choose your games.
If you are new to poker, you might want to start with Texas Hold’Em as that is the game that everyone recognises. However, more experienced players might prefer to play stud or Omaha, so find the right game for you.
Learn the rules.
You can learn as you play in poker, especially if you know the value of different hands – but the benefit of using a mobile app is that you can make use of things like cheat sheets and tutorials to get your gameplay up to scratch. The more you play, the more experienced you will be.
Try out tournaments.
Tournaments are readily available on mobile poker apps, and they are a terrific way to get into playing real cash games. They can be even more exciting than a normal game, especially if you have some success.
Keep an eye on your battery and connection.
Gaming on your mobile is battery intensive, and you don’t want to run out of juice while you are mid-way through a game. Keep an eye on your percentage and don’t jump into a game If it is getting low. The same applies to your data connection – even mobile poker works better if you have a steady and reliable internet connection.
Watch your bankroll.
Getting into poker games means being ready to spend money, and lay bets – so you need to know before you start how much you are willing to lose if the cards don’t go your way. Poker players know that there are some blinds that are just not worth going into, so don’t be afraid to cut your losses and fold.
Look out for promos.
It has never been a better time to get into mobile poker, and for fresh players the world is your oyster when it comes to finding the best deals and promotions. Online poker companies really want you to play with them, so you can expect to find bonuses like deposit matching and even free bets available to you when you first start.
Keep it fun.
Poker is exhilarating and an adrenaline rush, but you need to look after yourself while you play – which means you should only play when you are in the mood and if you are feeling happy and positive. If it stops being fun, stop playing – you can always come back tomorrow.
