Many would-be poker players sit on the sidelines for months, their eagerness to get in the game thwarted by the fear of the unknown. After all, putting your money on the line when you’re just learning the complex card game terminology and differences between poker hands can be daunting, to say the least.
However, all journeys with poker have to start somewhere, and one of the best ways to ease into this exciting world is to get busy with play money poker.
Play money poker as an incubator for future high rollers
The highest ever pot in online poker amounted to approximately $1.3 million in an epic 2009 match between players Patrik Antonius and Viktor Blom. Of course, these kinds of stakes are rarely seen online, and newbies might be squeamish even about covering the cost of buy-in because, without prior experience, the chances of winning are rather slim.
Play money games offer a distinct advantage here, as it’s possible to use virtual chips purely for entertainment reasons. These chips have no monetary value, cannot be withdrawn, sold, or converted into real money. They are also rather inexpensive, and for a couple of bucks, you can get thousands of chips on the most popular online platforms. Plus, it’s always possible to find games with low buy-ins so technically, participating in an exciting game can cost just a few cents.
Usually, you can also get a free chips bonus when you first set up an online poker account which allows you to play a few rounds before spending any money at all. Furthermore, most play money apps allow users to simply observe the action at the tables and learn the ropes before participating.

Getting to know the tournament play
Tournaments are what the online poker world is all about. Instead of facing six players in a single game at the virtual table, you’re going through a whole series of match-ups that are getting progressively harder, making you compete against top players, who are all thirsty for the big win.
If you’re new to the game, these kinds of tournaments are no less exciting than big poker events you can view on Twitch or YouTube. For example, major leading companies offer the possibility of joining weekly skirmishes with three-tiered leaderboards (challenger, master, elite) where the top player can win up to 1 billion play money chips. Although you can’t convert these chips into cash, this kind of healthy competition serves as a great prep for the moment when real money is on the line.
Picking up your favorite poker variation and learning the terminology
Learning the rules and picking up on relevant card game lingo is the first step to a successful poker career. It’s definitely possible to find all of this information in books, videos, and online articles but nothing truly compares with sitting down at a virtual online poker table and doing your best to win.
This kind of “learn as you go” approach will allow you to absorb relevant information in a more engaging way. You’ll also avoid the analysis paralysis that’ll make you read up just one more article before you finally step into the game.
By jumping in at the deep end and confronting the unknown, you’ll become competent much faster simply because it’ll be your turn to decide and make the best of your poker hand.
Another thing that makes play money poker so valuable is that you can get acquainted with many poker variations and styles of play in a low-risk environment. There are over a dozen poker variants out there. The most popular among them is Texas Hold ‘em, but there are other ones like Omaha Hi-Lo, 7-Card Stud, Razz, or 5-Card Draw.
By checking each one of them and putting only play money poker chips on the line, you can quickly figure out which style suits you best and how to have the most fun while preparing for real money games with high buy-ins.
WSOP 2023 Coverage Kicks Off in One Week at PokerGO
Sign up for your PokerGO account today using our exclusive bonus code and receive 15% discount on the annual subscription.
Follow the 2023 WSOP Action With Daniel ‘KidPoker’ Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu’s legendary vlog is back for the 2023 WSOP so make sure to subscribe for daily updates from one of the world’s best players!
PokerStars Explores Parallels Between Poker & F1 in a New YouTube Series
The four-part series is a product of cooperation between PokerStars and the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.
Less Than A Week Until The WSOP 2023 Action Begins
Preparations are well underway to welcome poker players to the ultimate poker showdown, the 2023 WSOP.
Lex Veldhuis Going Once Again for a SCOOP Title at PokerStars
Lex Veldhuis has had an amazing SCOOP so far, but the PokerStars ambassador is still looking to close the deal.
PokerStars Unveils the Full 2023 UKIPT Schedule
The 2023 UKIPT by PokerStars will feature seven stops and will culminate with a £1,000,000 GTD event at Dusk Till Dawn
Meet The WSOP 2023 Thrill Team!
WSOP’s free-to-play social poker app celebrates its 10th anniversary with a star-studded Thrill Team
Who to Follow on Social Media During WSOP 2023?
Discover the best Twitter accounts to follow during the 2023 WSOP for your daily source of news, views, and, of course, gossip!
Team PokerStars Share Their Thoughts on the 2023 SCOOP
Find out what plans PokerStars Team Pro members have for the SCOOP, what tournaments they’re hoping to win, and much more.
Win WSOP 2023 Main Event Packages Online at WSOP.com
WSOP is running several promotions across its US sites, giving players a chance to win a WSOP 2023 Main Even seat and travel to Vegas this summer.
Ready, Set, Go: PokerStars SCOOP Kicks Off This Sunday
The 2023 SCOOP kicks off this Sunday on PokerStars, with seven events featuring three orbits each to get the ball rolling.
Join PokerStars Ontario MTT Action This Weekend: $200k+ up for Grabs
The weekend action at PokerStars Ontario is open to all, with buy-ins starting as low as $10 and going all the way up to $500.
2023 WSOP to Feature a Variety of Live Mega Satellites
Live satellites will be available for the entire duration of the WSOP 2023, offering entries to different bracelet events.
Budget Your Way to PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo Event
Learn how you can travel to PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo on a budget and enjoy the luxury experience without breaking the bank.
Get Involved With Free Maple Leafs All-In Shootouts at PokerStars Ontario
Tournaments take place at PokerStars Ontario after the playoff games, featuring a prize pool of $1000 or $2500, depending on the match result.
Anniversary Sunday Storm Winner Banks Over $26,000 at PokerStars
The tournament easily broke its $700,000 guarantee, showing once again that PokerStars is the master of running huge-field MTTs.
Weekend Action Ahead With PokerStars Ontario ONSCOOP Afterparty
PokerStars Ontario is offering $180k in guarantees across 26 events taking place this weekend.
Daniel Negreanu Unveils His Preparation Routine Ahead of the 2023 WSOP
KidPoker will devote the next few weeks to preparing his body and mind for the 2023 World Series of Poker grind.
Don’t Miss Out: WSOP 2023 Registration Starts in 2 Days
Avoid long queues! Online registration allows players to sign up for events and pay in advance, saving heaps of time in Vegas.
Reserve Your Seat in the PokerStars Anniversary Sunday Storm
The 12th anniversary edition of the iconic PokerStars tournament will feature a $700k guarantee and you could win a seat for as little as $0.55.