Category: Online Poker

Mobile poker has become increasingly popular, allowing players to enjoy their favorite poker games on the go. However, it’s important to understand how mobile poker apps use data and manage your data usage to avoid unexpected charges. Here’s what you need to know:

Mobile Poker and Data Usage: What You Need to Know

1. Wi-Fi vs. Cellular Data: When playing mobile poker, using a Wi-Fi connection is typically the best option. Wi-Fi networks are generally more stable and offer faster download speeds, resulting in a smoother gaming experience. Using cellular data, on the other hand, can quickly consume your data plan, especially if you’re playing for extended periods or using data-intensive features like video streaming or live poker.
2. App Download and Updates: Downloading the mobile poker app requires data, especially if it’s your first time installing it. Additionally, app updates may also consume data. To minimize data usage, consider downloading or updating the app while connected to Wi-Fi rather than using cellular data.
3. Table and Hand Data: Each hand played on the mobile poker app requires data to transmit information between your device and the game server. While the amount of data per hand is relatively small, it can accumulate during longer sessions. Be mindful of how much time you spend playing mobile poker when using cellular data.
4. Graphics Quality and Animations: Some mobile poker apps allow you to adjust the graphics quality and animations. Higher quality graphics and intricate animations may result in increased data usage. If you’re concerned about data consumption, consider lowering these settings within the app.
5. Usage Monitoring: Keep an eye on your data usage to avoid exceeding your plan’s limits. Most smartphones offer data usage monitoring tools that allow you to track your data usage over a specific period. Set data usage alerts or use third-party apps to help you manage and monitor your usage effectively.
6. Offline Play and Caching: Some mobile poker apps offer offline play options or caching features, where selected games or hand histories can be downloaded in advance. This allows you to play without an internet connection or minimize data usage during gameplay. Check if your mobile poker app provides these features.
7. Tethering: If you’re considering tethering your mobile device to another device to play mobile poker, be aware that it may significantly increase your data consumption. Tethering allows other devices to share your device’s internet connection, using data for both your device’s activities and the tethered device’s activities.

By being aware of your mobile poker app’s data usage and taking proactive steps to manage it, you can enjoy playing poker on your mobile device without exceeding your data plan. Prioritize Wi-Fi connections whenever possible and monitor your data usage regularly to avoid any unexpected charges.

To ensure optimal mobile poker play, it’s essential to set up your device correctly. Here are some steps you can follow to enhance your mobile poker experience:

How to Set Up Your Device for Optimal Mobile Poker Play

1. Update Operating System and Apps:

Make sure your device’s operating system (iOS, Android, etc.) and the poker app you’re using are up to date. Regular updates often include bug fixes, security enhancements, and improved performance, which can significantly enhance your mobile poker experience.

2. Clear Device Storage:

Free up space on your device by removing unnecessary apps, files, and photos. A clutter-free device with sufficient storage can improve the overall performance of your mobile poker app.

3. Optimize Battery Life:

Prioritize your battery life by adjusting settings like screen brightness, background app refresh, and notifications. A longer-lasting battery can allow for extended poker sessions without interruptions.

4. Enable Do Not Disturb:

Minimize distractions during your poker play by enabling the “Do Not Disturb” mode on your device. This will silence notifications and prevent interruptions from phone calls or messages.

5. Connect to a Stable Internet Connection:

A reliable and stable internet connection is crucial for smooth gameplay. Connect to a Wi-Fi network whenever possible, as it typically provides a more stable connection than mobile data. However, ensure that the Wi-Fi network is secure and trusted to protect your personal information.

6. Use a Device Stand or Mount:

Depending on your preference, consider using a device stand or mount to prop up your smartphone or tablet. This will allow you to have a comfortable viewing angle and free up your hands, improving your focus and gameplay experience.

7. Adjust Screen Timeout Settings:

To prevent your device from automatically locking or going to sleep during poker sessions, adjust the screen timeout settings. Increase the duration to ensure your device stays active and doesn’t interrupt your play unnecessarily.

8. Enable Full-Screen Mode:

Many mobile poker apps have a full-screen mode option, which maximizes the screen real estate and eliminates distractions. Enable this mode for a more immersive and focused poker experience.

9. Consider Screen Size and Device Compatibility:

If possible, choose a device with a larger screen size, as it allows for easier navigation and better visibility of the poker app interface. Ensure that the poker app you’re using is compatible with your device’s screen resolution and operating system.

10. Practice and Test:

Before playing in high-stakes games or tournaments, spend some time practicing and testing your setup. This will help you become familiar with the controls, interface, and layout of the poker app on your specific device.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy a seamless and optimized mobile poker experience. Take the time to set up your device correctly, and focus on honing your skills and strategies while playing poker on the go.

Mistake 1. Playing When You’re Exhausted

It’s hard for online players to actually go to bed and stop playing. Some people only know it’s time to stop because they have lost all of their money. When you begin to get tired or its past your normal bed time you should stop for the sake of your bankroll. Playing when you’re exhausted is only good for one thing, losing all your money.

Mistake 2. Playing Too Many Tables and Folding the Nuts

It’s easy to get caught up in playing 3 or 4 tables at once. Having a big hand at one table can really distract you from your other tables. It can be so distracting that you could fold the nuts at the other tables because you weren’t even paying attention and were too busy worrying about another table.

Mistake 3: Playing Too High Stakes

Everyone likes to test their skills at bigger stakes. Why wouldn’t they, it’s how you better your game. It’s when the stakes are so high that they can wipe out your bankroll and your rent money in one swoop that your play will suffer.

When the stakes are so high that you’re afraid to put all your money in with the best hand you shouldn’t be there. Being scared to lose your money just makes you lose it even quicker. Stick to the stakes where you can reload a couple times and be perfectly fine about winning or losing that amount.

Mistake 4: Playing Way Too Many Hands

Well this mistake happens in live poker too but happens a little more common in online poker. Usually it’s because the player is tired or just bored but they begin to play every hand they are dealt. Watch how the pros play online poker. They rarely play hands and are very cautious about which ones they choose to play. A bankroll that continually dwindles every 30 minutes is probably caused by playing too many marginal hands. If you’re a slow loser then this is probably your diagnosis.

Mistake 5: Work and Play Don’t Mix

Everyone who works behind a computer has done it. Sneaking behind the computer and playing some cards while at work sure makes the time go fast but isn’t the best thing if you’re trying to make some money.

Nagging customers, bosses interrupting, and the occasional damn phone call always seems to interrupt during a huge hand. It just doesn’t work because too many things can distract you at the perfect time.

Mistake 6: Going on Tilt Times 5

Ah, the dangers of online poker. The dreaded tilt factor is magnified by 10. Multitablers can lose 5 times as much because typically they have 5 tables open. One bad hand can rock the ship and all their money goes down the tube on all 5 tables. Not only that but it happens really quick online versus live play. At least in live poker it takes some time for the cards to be dealt. Do yourself a favor and only play 1 table if you’re susceptible to going on tilt easily.

Mistake 7: Not Able to Handle Losses – “I got to get it back”

The late night frantic plea to try and get your money back is probably the worst feeling in poker. If you “Need to get it back” then you shouldn’t have been playing in the first place. Needing the money will only cause you to lose even more and make really bad plays.

Have you ever noticed that players who really don’t care about the money tend to win all the time? Players who need to win usually end up on the sidelines wondering what the hell went wrong.

Mistake 8: Too Tight During Heads Up

Watching players lose all their money to blinds is a sad thing. It’s very common to see this in Sit n Go’s where the player thinks that just because they made it to the final 3 by sitting around that they’ll win the darn thing by sitting some more. Loosen up the play, switch gears, and you’ll throw your opponent for a loop and they won’t know what hit them. Giving your money away to large blinds will only dwindle your stack and leave you with little or no glimmer of hope to actually win the tournament.

Mistake 9: Excessive Bluffing

Poker players just love to bluff online. I don’t know if it’s the automation of the whole money/chip process or they watch too much poker on TV but players are excessive bluffers online. My whole theory is that players see the pros on TV playing other pros and think that’s how they should play. What they don’t understand is that it’s pros versus pros not pros versus newbie’s. Not too many pros bluff new players because new players are hard to bluff. Half the time they don’t know what beats what anyway. Bluff too much online and you’re bound to get burned.

Mistake 10: Playing While Intoxicated

Time to sit back have a six pack in your underwear and win some money right? Well you got the first part right but the whole trying to win money while you’re drunk part, not so right. Alcohol and poker don’t seem to mix too well. At least when you’re drunk in live games there’s usually someone there to stop you like a friend or your empty wallet.

When you’re playing online it can be very hazardous to your bank account because you’ll tend to go through money like those beers you’re drinking. If you can’t stop drinking you might want to set an automatic limit on the amount of money you can deposit per day. This should keep you from losing too much if you still want to drink and play poker.