Online poker in Pennsylvania is played strictly on licensed sites, and owners paid huge application fee to offer these games to public. Participating is safe for both sides - casino and player. Fast and guaranteed payments via different methods are distinctive features of online poker for real money, in case you succeed in game, of course. The best poker learning apps are those that have tables featuring other players, whether it is a play money game on a real money site or a pool of players on a training site. How to Find and Use Learn to Play Poker Apps. There are several ways to find the best apps to learn to play poker.
While the poker boom really took off between 2001 and 2003, the game has
continued to grow in popularity over the last decade, especially outside of the
United States, where online poker came tragically crashing down. These days, the
biggest difference in poker is that players are overall much better players than
they were in the early 2000s. This is most likely due to the sheer volume of
hands that a player can play online versus playing live. Also, there is far more
information on how to improve your game than ever before, which means there are
more reasons for players to practice.
To be a winning poker player, continuing to learn the game is crucial, and
these days that can be accomplished right from your phone by using an app
designed for learning poker. Our poker experts have come together to walk you
through everything you need to know about these apps, and that way when you are
ready to take your game to the next level, you can easily select an app either
for your iOS or Android device with confidence.
Why Would People Use an App to Learn to Play Poker?
A question we hear all the time is “Why do people practice poker? Isn’t it
mainly about the cards you have anyway?” Well, we are here to tell you that this
couldn’t be further from the truth. The cards you are dealt are only a piece of
the puzzle when trying to be profitable – there is so much more at play. Let’s
look at the top 3 reasons that players would use an app to learn to play poker.
Learn New Games
Most people think about No Limit Texas Hold’em when they think about poker,
but there are many more variants of the game that people play all over the
world. Some of these have much smaller fields in major tournaments, as they are
more complicated to play, so if you are looking to win a World Series of Poker
bracelet, then you may want to learn a game like Omaha or Stud. The best way to
learn games is by playing them, of course, so this is where these apps can come
in handy.
Practice New Strategy
With all the books, blogs, podcasts, and videos on poker strategy these days,
you can get overwhelmed trying to learn a new strategy. Then, once you select
one or two to try out, you need a place to get some hands in without wasting
money. A poker app for learning to play the game gives you a chance to put some
of this theory into action before you hit the real money tables.
Convenience
Learning to play poker is important if you want to stop being a losing
player, but the game is also a long grind. Having a chance to learn how to play
the game with the convenience of having an app on your device means you are no
longer shackled to your PC. You have the poker game with you in your pocket
whenever you get a moment to learn, and within a couple of clicks, you can be
playing hands! Also, as the game isn’t for real money, the length of your
session isn’t important – you can close and reopen the app whenever you are so
inclined.
The Best Apps for Learning to Play Poker
When we review apps for this site, we are in most cases looking at them with
real-money players in mind. That is why it is so refreshing to have put together
this page – while some attributes remain the same, there is a whole subset of
criteria that matter to players who are learning rather than just trying to win
big bucks.
We looked at each poker app we could find and reviewed it from a learning
perspective to come up with the following list. A couple of these apps are very
focused on learning the game, while others are excellent from a learning and
practice perspective but also give you a chance to access real-money games in
case you get the urge quickly. All of the sites are good enough in the eyes of
our experts to have them on the recommended apps for learning to play poker
list.
What We Look for in an App for Learning Poker
As we mentioned, some of the things we look for when reviewing the best apps
for learning poker are different from that of a real money poker app. Here, we
are giving you an overview of three of the top differences.
Integrated Odds Calculator
One of the best inventions in the history of poker was the graphic on the
screen letting you know the percentage chances of a player winning a hand. That
made it so much clearer to players that there was more than just luck in the
game, and we look for sites that will show you that as you are playing the
hands. Of course, this would be in a practice mode, but it still gives you a
little more insight into what the odds are as the hand progresses. Not all sites
offer this feature, so we let you know in each review which ones have this
available for your use.
Combination of Strategy Pages and Tips Along with Gameplay
With so much information to digest, we like the poker learning apps that
incorporate some of these details directly in the app. This can come from a feed
of interesting strategy pieces in a section of the app or being able to watch a
video followed by being directed to the table to try out new strategies. The
fewer steps between taking in the information and putting it into action, the
more likely the information will be remembered.
Multiplayer Modes
Playing and practicing against the computer is one thing, but being able to
put your learning into action against other players is definitely the best way
to see if you are able to take the theory and put it into practice. The best
poker learning apps are those that have tables featuring other players, whether
it is a play money game on a real money site or a pool of players on a training
site.
How to Find and Use Learn to Play Poker Apps
There are several ways to find the best apps to learn to play poker. Of
course, we have already given you a few to choose from above on our recommended
list. While we are sure these provide you with all the tools you need, there are
other places to look. Some of the training sites will have their own apps to
download, or you can simply go to the app store of your Apple or Google device
and search for “poker.” Bear in mind that when you search directly from the app
store, you will find the most popular apps, which aren’t necessarily the best in
our opinion.
Once you have selected the app, you can quickly download it to your phone or
tablet, and then you will likely need to create an account. Even though you will
be playing for free to start, the company still wants your information for
future communication purposes. Once you have created your account, look for any
in-app purchases you may want to make. Some sites will offer tutorials directly
in the app that aren’t on a website, so they could be of value to you if you are
interested.
Conclusion
As the game of poker continues to evolve, unless there are new games
introduced, players will have no option but to continue to improve at the
current variants. The good news is that 98% of players really only know how to play Texas Hold’em,
and even then, the majority of players could use significant
improvement. These apps designed for learning poker are perfect for anyone
looking to take their game to the next level or who want to learn a new game
without having to risk any cash.
The apps we have discussed and recommended on this page are the ones we feel
are the best for players looking to learn more about the sport. However, we know
our community of readers will have their own opinions. We encourage you to drop
us a line and let us know what you think about any of the apps we have
recommended, or if there are any poker learning apps that you swear by yourself.
Also, if you are interested in reading more about the best real-money poker
apps, then check out our poker app pages and our reviews section.
Poker is a great game when you just get some folks together, drink a few beers, and play for low stakes. However, poker is also a great game when you want to get a little serious about making money.
Of course, if you want to become a competitive or professional poker player, you’re going to need some practice. After that, you’ll need to practice some more. And one of the easiest ways to get a lot of practice is to play online with real money.
That can get expensive, even in this day and age when playing online poker won’t win you any money but can cost you real money for virtual currency. Have no fear, though, there are plenty of poker apps you can use that don’t cost money to play.
Some of these apps may sell virtual currency, but most have giveaways you can use to recharge your chip stash. However, if you have enough of these virtual apps, you can rotate through and always have enough money to play somewhere. Here are the 10 best free apps to practice poker.
Poker Practice App
1. How to Play Poker – Learn Texas Holdem Offline
How to Play Poker – Learn Texas Holdem is a mobile application that’s available for both iPhone and Android.
It’s also nice because the game focuses on strategies and advanced topics that go beyond simple “learn to play apps.” There’s something for everyone in the app. It’s nicest feature, though, is probably it’s offline mode which means you can keep playing even without Wi-Fi.
2. Poker Heat
Poker Heat is, in a lot of ways, the opposite of How to Play Poker as this app is gorgeous to behold and features innovative controls that are almost more fun than the game. Therefore, if nice user interfaces are your thing, or you find some of the other entries on this list confusing, definitely give Poker Heat a try. The action is good and the competition will keep you guessing.
The app does hit you with a lot of ads and requests, but that’s not too atypical for free apps of any kind. So, it’s not bad, just something to keep in mind.
3. Texas Holdem Poker Deluxe
Texas Holdem Poker is both a mobile application you download to your phone or, if you’re not sick of sending your friend app requests of Facebook, the top-rated poker app on Facebook (according to its Google Play listing).
Either way, Texas Holdem Poker Deluxe starts you off with free chips and lets you replenish your stash with daily giveaways. Once you have all that sweet, sweet loot, you can instantly join a table, and play in sit and go’s or other tournaments.
Really, where this game excels is the easy Facebook connectivity, which can be nice if you don’t have a phone nearby or don’t want another app. It’s also got a really nice, professional looking interface that the company clearly took some pride in maintaining. This also means it’s easy to use, which can be a nice change from a lot of poker apps.
4. Governor of Poker 3
Governor of Poker 3 is the latest in a line of poker apps to wear the name “Governor of Poker” and is available on Steam, Android, and iOS. Like many others on this list, you start out with free chips you can grow via daily chip giveaways and by winning games or tournaments. Also, you can play blackjack, for when you need a Texas Holdem break.
All of this makes Governor of Poker a solid entry on the list. What distinguishes it, though, is its attitude. The whole game is an Old West theme with silly graphics to boot. There are also tons of ways to brag about your status and show off how good you are, which adds a bit of icing on the cake.
This may mean the app is not for everyone, but it’s a nice change from other apps.
5. World Poker Club
World Poker Club is another app that’s available for both mobile devices and Facebook. On this app, you play other Texas or Omaha Holdem poker, which is a nice change. Really, this is another solid entry into the world of free poker apps. It distinguishes itself through its commitment to fair play, which it takes very seriously.
6. Jackpot Poker
Formerly known as PokerStars Play, Jackpot Poker is a free mobile app from the famous online site, PokerStars. With a name like PokerStars attached to it, you know the game is going to be quality, even if they are a little insistent you pay them for more virtual currency.
The only drawback is that this app only offers Texas Holdem. Still, it features a fun, furious mode of poker called Jackpot Poker which features three players fighting over a prize. You can also play cash games, too.
7. Appeak Poker
Appeak Poker checks in on this list as another no-frills poker application, though that shouldn’t be taken as an insult. Appeak Poker wants to get you playing the game quickly and keep you playing, which means giving you nothing that might otherwise distract you from playing the game.
The interface is clean and the avatars look like stylized cartoons from a Disney XD show. Still, the app does exactly what you want it to do—give you the chance to play poker. You can enter the game immediately and start playing, choose one of its different poker modes, or defend your home country’s rep in the duel mode.
Either way, Appeak has lots to offer anyone looking to get in a few games.
8. VIP Poker – Texas Holdem
The maker of VIP Poker was once a client of mine, so I was excited to see them release a free app. Their mobile app strikes the right balance between being easy to play and featuring a really easy-to-use interface. In fact, VIP Poker is one of the easier applications to use on this entire list, even if the graphics aren’t up to the quality of others on the list.
Ultimately, though, the free currency is what makes VIP Poker great. I never ran out of free-to-play virtual currency with VIP Poker, so I always had it to play.
9. Zynga Poker
If it’s mobile or Facebook, you know Zynga is going to have an entry. And you know that entry is going to be a lot of fun to play, and that you will be asked to give real money (a lot). With that said, Zynga makes up for their constant ads with a gorgeous user interface, dealers with scanned images welcoming you to the table, and tons of extras.
Best Poker Training App
There are several different tournament styles you can play and they offer a variant called “Jump Poker” where you are dealt a new hand after you fold. It keeps the action high, which is definitely not a bad thing. Overall, this is a great poker app to practice on.
10. WSOP
World Series of Poker (WSOP)’s online app is still the class of the poker space. It’s attractive, it offers Texas and Omaha Holdem, and there are tons of minigames and challenges you can undertake to earn more virtual currency (on top of the standard daily chip giveaways).
Really, there’s no finer poker app to play on the web that doesn’t cost money and, consequently, you’re not likely to find many better online poker players in any free app on the web. All in all, this makes it the place to play.
My only gripe is with the betting amount slider. It’s easy to go all-in or bet a little money. Anything in between feels like a crap shoot based off of how the interface works. Still, that’s pretty minor compared to the rest of the app.
Conclusion
In the end, there are several places you can go to find a hot game of poker online. I liked these 10 because they are all professional, they don’t crash, and they offer something that makes them more fun to play. Any of them are great entries if you are looking to improve your poker game through experience.
If you’re not sure where to start, go to WSOP then work your way up the list. Also, feel free to download several apps. No one says you can’t have fun playing them all.