Winning Money Online

We seem to have more and more newbies coming into the ranks, so I thought I'd write and article about trying to win at online poker.

The first thing to realise about poker, anywhere, not just online, is that you don't need to be a very good player to win money.

The most important thing you can do when looking for a game is to be honest with yourself.
Lie as much as you want to other people, but keep records for all games, all levels and see what your strengths and weaknesses are, there are many good players who don't win, and many bad ones who do!
The difference is honesty, the winning bad players make sure they play in games full of other bad players, whereas some good players (Even some WCP--World Class Players) have so much pride that they end up losing money because they want to beat the best.
Now there's nothing wrong with "Taking a shot" from time to time, but you must do it infrequently enough that it is just a shot, and not a habit.
Use the dream of taking a shot to work hard through the week, if, for instance, your shot is a $200 tourney, then try to win $400 in the week leading up to it so you are not playing scared. You will play better if it is the result of a lot of hard work and you know you are freerolling even if you lose.

Okay, so you know your basics, and always fleece your home game, so you've played some 3/6 online for a couple of weeks and lost plenty.
Time to be honest..you're not beating that game and you are not going to get your money back by chasing.
It could be you have a weakness you didn't know about, or it could, just simply be, that you aren't good enough for that game (It could be fluctuations too, but don't take this chance yet).
What should you do in this situation.

Well, you want that money back, but playing on at this level is more than likely going to dig you a bigger hole.

In the meantime, drop down two levels, try 1/2 for a while. (ONE-TWO!!!! I hear you cry, BUT THAT'S FULL OF IDIOTS) well..If it's full of idiots, go beat them, get some of your money back, losing $920 in 8 days is a heck of a lot better than losing $1000 in 7, losing $840 in 9 is better again...hang on, at this rate you'll have your money (and your confidence) back in a couple of weeks, maybe this game isn't so bad afterall)
Great, so you found a level you can beat, and some of the small stakes guys have tweaked your game a little, maybe it's time for the 3-6 again!
Nope, one level at a time, sneak up to the 2-4, and carefully, some of your 1-2 buddies will play this game, so wait until you see some faces you know you can beat...why make it hard for yourself? There's all the time in the world, and in the meantime you can plug away at the 1/2 that you are killing.

Keep careful notes on games that you watch (Don't watch and play at the same time, unless you are looking out for a particular player, you are kidding yourself because you aren't watching, you just have the table on your screen)

Keep a close eye on your win rate at the lower level, it is possible that it will drop off as you approach getting your money back through boredom.
If this happens, take a day off, you will probably need to step up shortly and you don't want to do that whilst tired.

It's all about game selection, and game selection is all about honesty, play where you can win, don't be afraid to play too small, as I said on opening this rant, Id rather be a bad player winning $50 a day, than a good one losing $500.

So there's a retard in the 15/30 playing every pot, ("I can beat that moron, what's he doing in there") well, what he's doing is giving money away, however the other nine players seated are taking it, and they will be taking yours too if you sit down. Sure the fish will send some your way, but the others will take your money, and anyway, your bankroll just can't take that fluctuation right now...be honest now...CAN IT?
Never step up more than one level, unless it is "The shot" you have worked for.

Keep those eyes peeled, make good, accurate notes, and good luck.
Remember, many sites have bonuses, and a scan through most forums will help you find the best free money online, it's free, have some fun

One final tip, NEVER make a note on a player who has just outdrawn you, it will most likely be overly harsh, which is no use when you come back to them a month later and have forgotten the player ever existed.