When learning how to play online poker, the best place to start is to play with play money. This is essentially free tokens that you can use just like real money. The PokerStars client is available from all around the world, and all you have to do is register an account, and then set the Play Money button.

Early position strategy

The first rule of early position poker for beginners is to play tight. In order to succeed in the game, you should open a tighter range in early position than you would in late position. This will allow you to play more hands than those with weak cards, while putting yourself in a better position to beat your opponents. You can also fold if you do not have the best cards, and that is a good option when you are in early position.

Another important rule of early position is to only play the strongest hands. By playing only the best hands, you will prevent yourself from making tough decisions post-flop. Your starting hand selection is extremely important, so be sure to memorize the poker hand rankings.

Middle position strategy

One of the most important elements of a middle position strategy is fluidity. If you’re playing from middle position, the rules and actions are fairly fluid. In this position, you can call a raise if your opponent raises in turn or folds. Similarly, you can bet on an iso-raise to shut out opponents and get a heads-up.

When you’re first to act, play your stronger hands. Often, the Aces, Kings, and Queens are the best hands to play and raise with. Exceptions include pocket Jacks and Tens. However, you can also play weaker hands in the middle position.

Late position strategy

While playing in late position, you have many advantages over early position players. For example, you have more time to study your opponents’ hands. You can also play your hands more conservatively. There are three seat positions: early position, middle position, and late position. Late position is the most advantageous spot on the poker table.

In late position, you should raise if you have a good hand. Some attractive hands are JJs, AKs, and AQs. Moreover, you can raise if you have a strong hand on the flop. You may also be able to raise if you are in the small blind position.

Value betting

Value betting is a poker strategy that is commonly used by professionals. In this strategy, you bet more money than you think you have to in order to increase the pot value. If you bet correctly, you can convince your opponent to call your bet and increase the pot value by the amount you’ve bet.

The key to value betting is to make decisions based on your opponents’ tendencies. For example, if you believe that your opponent has a weak hand, you might want to value bet big. But if your opponent has a good hand, he might call you. Thus, a balanced approach is necessary. In addition, you should bet on the right size based on your opponents’ stack sizes.