Can Play Money Internet Poker Improve Your Game?

In addition to home games and occasional casino trips, I play a fair amount of internet poker. I am a firm believer that the more you play the better you'll get. I've seen TV promotions that suggest that play money internet poker is a good way to learn and improve. I don't think that it does.

Play money ring games are nothing like real money poker. In fact, I believe I've heard it said that without money poker is meaningless. With no cash at stake there is no incentive for players to play correctly or soundly. And, if other players are not playing correctly you won't be able to do so either. Just watch as play money game. Everyone is betting and raising no matter what cards they hold. Everyone is in to see the flop and any hand or draw at all will play until the river. Try any routine stategy: check-raise, free-card raise, you name it, they will not work. Playing poker for real money is the only way to learn and improve as a poker player.

That being said, I think free roll tournaments can be helpful. While it will not cost the player any real money to enter, there are usually real money prizes at stake. That changes the way most people will play. Overall, it's been my observation that most players will play correctly and rationally at least to the level of their ability or skill level. A check raise will mean something and players will react accordingly. The pot odds for drawing hands will be important. Early position raises will signal a real hand. These are the conditions you need in order to develop and improve as a poker player.

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