Let’s face it – online poker is much different from regular, in-person poker. There is a whole different psychology to the game, mainly because of the obvious fact that you can’t see who you’re playing against. By not being able to see your opponents physical reactions, you’re eliminating a big psychological part of the game of poker itself – poker tells. But, the same goes both ways. You may not be able to see them, but they sure can’t see you either. With that in mind, I’ve compiled some poker strategy tips to help you get started making money with online poker:

Online Poker Tells

Speed of Play

One of the most important things to look for in your online poker opponent is the speed at which they play. In online poker, each player has a limited amount of time in which to make a move. The general rule of thumb here is that a quick bet signifies a weak hand and a delayed bet signifies a stronger hand. It’s also important to note if your opponent’s action happens almost instantly; in this case they are likely taking advantage of “auto-check” boxes. They’re selecting a move (bet, call, fold, check) before it’s even their turn – if it’s an auto bet this quickly, it may signify a stronger hand.

Watch the Chat Room

Pay close attention to the messaging that’s taking place among players. Just like at a real poker table in a casino, you can tell a lot about a player’s cards by what he or she is saying. If a typically chatty player all of a sudden gets quiet, this tells us they probably have a strong hand.

Fold/Play Percentage

Take not of a players fold/play percentage. While it may be difficult to get an exact number here, this is something that is certainly worth your attention. It’s more difficult to win against players who fold a lot – because chances are they only play a hand when they have good cards. On the other hand, players that are in almost every hand are more likely to be bluffing.