[GUIDE] How-To Kick-Start Your Poker Career in 7 Simple Steps

Continuing the Beginner's Guide series, this wraps up what you need to do if you want to start playing online poker. It's simplified yes, and it does promote spesific poker site and rakeback service, but there's a reason for that, as explained in the previous installments of the Beginner's Guide series.

As promised, this blog will only promote services that are good for you in the long run (for example, rakeback service if it's available instead of direct link to the poker site). And here is our next guide, summarizing the beginning of your online poker playing actions:

How-To Kick-Start Your Poker Career in 7 Simple Steps

1) Signup to PokerStars.com

2) Play with play money and practise, or make a $50 deposit.

3) Play at the limit your bankroll is good for.

4) Play poker, free rolls, etc. to increase your bankroll

5) Cash out from PokerStars, choose a site from RakeTheRake which offers a bigger bonus.

6) Deposit what you have, use the code provided by RakeTheRake

7) Play Poker, Enjoy Life, Repeat :)

It really is that simple. Although some might complain that you would need poker skills to start growing your bankroll, but don't sweat it, it might take time, but if you have the determination, you can do it!

To get you started, here is the detailed explanation of the Simple Steps, that will Kick-Start Your Poker Career:

1) Signup to PokerStars.com

Download and install is simple enough, but if needed, check the instructions and support at PokerStars.com

Note: Before creating the account and possible real-money deposit, check the next step

2) Play with play money and practise, or make a $50 deposit.

You can deposit more than $50 if you like, but that is enough. If you make the $50 deposit, use the code Stars50. This code is in use for 2009, so check the code from "100% Deposit Bonus" page at PokerStars if you are reading this later.

3) Play at the limit your bankroll is good for.

Bankroll management is the most essential skill for any poker player, so make sure you know what your doing. In short, here's what you need to know: Bankroll = your poker cash (e.g. what you have deposited in the poker site), and you must choose the games you play based on your bankroll to avoid going broke. Here are some example guidelines, but you can develop your own over time.

* 20-60 Buy-Ins for NL Hold'em.
* 200-300 Big Blinds for Limit Hold'em.
* 50-100 Buy-Ins for SnG Tournaments.

So for your $50 deposit, you will be looking for games like

* $0.01/$0.02 no-limit
* $0.02/$0.04 or $0.05/$0.10 limit
* $1 or less SnG tournaments

..another reason why PokerStars.com is so great place to start playing, it offers the smallest limits for your to start in.

4) Play poker, free rolls, etc. until your bankroll is big enough to take full advantage of the bigger bonuses, like $600 for Full Tilt Poker.

As said, this might take some time, but don't give up!

5) Cash out from PokerStars, sign-up to the poker site you like, which offers a bigger bonus, though RakeTheRake.

When you get this far, remember to give a shout at comments here on Poker Wit or throw me a Tweet about it.

6) Deposit what you have, use the code provided by RakeTheRake to get the bonus at the new site.

7) Play Poker, Enjoy Life, Repeat :)

Further Reading:

How To Boost Your Early Poker Bankroll with Bonuses

Everything You Ever Need to Know About Rake, Rakeback and More

How-To Maximize Your Poker Earnings Potential?

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