Playing Online Poker on Your Personal Computer: How to Properly Set It Up

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It’s no news that the number of people playing poker online for the first time has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many players now join legal online poker rooms in their states or jurisdictions, and the biggest hitters even register for online tournaments.

There are several mediums to play poker online if you prefer the experience. Some individuals play using their phones, some use desktop monitors, and others use personal computers. Regardless of the option you are going for, it is important to ensure that you have properly set up the medium to ensure a hitch-free gaming experience.

Thanks to technological advancements in the online casino industry, many gambling sites now have dedicated sections or apps for different devices. For instance, players who use Mac laptops can now sign up with poker sites for Mac devices and enjoy a seamless online poker experience. If you are in the US, you can visit a site like Top10PokerSites to access the best poker sites that offer top real money poker experiences for Mac users.

So, after signing up with the right site, how do you set up? The first thing to remember is that you can get by with a less-expensive computer and accomplish what you set out to achieve. In light of this, this article will provide some essential tips for getting your PC set up correctly for playing poker online.

Get Quality Accessories

Use an SSD (solid-state hard drive) for optimal online poker performance. Since hard drives don’t have any moving components, they seldom break. SSDs are also far quicker than traditional hard drives. You do not want your browser to crash in the middle of a crucial game phase.

Using a mouse and keyboard is also recommended. Sometimes it’s easier to play poker using a gaming mouse and keyboard. Finally, you should check your desktop’s RAM too. A configuration with 16GB of RAM is optimal for online poker. It’s recommended to have at least 8GB RAM, but upgrading to 16GB won’t break the bank and guarantees peace of mind.

Invest in a Comfortable Gaming Chair

We’ve all experienced the agony of being confined to a dreadful chair for extended periods. The minutes drag by as you toss and turn to find some relief. When you’re in that kind of mood, it’s hard to do anything, not to talk of engaging in real money poker games.

To be successful in online poker, comfort is vital. You can’t afford to worry about things like whether or not your buttocks are going to go numb because you have to pay focus on the game only. When it comes to something as essential as a chair, it’s best to invest in a sturdy one. If you plan on playing poker for a significant amount of time, invest in an ergonomic chair.

Invest in a Strong Internet Connection and Stable Power Supply

Online gaming has certain essentials, the most significant being the need for constant internet access. Even if you play for a little while, having a mobile broadband connection or the ability to connect to your cell phone as a backup link is worth it.

What if there is a blackout? A fully charged laptop is helpful in this situation. Start up the laptop and hope to the poker lords that the power will be restored before you run out of battery life. However, if you have the means, you may invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), a generator, or an inverter.

Download a Poker Reference-Guide

Perhaps more so than for more seasoned players, this is an excellent piece of advice for those just starting. Specifically, before playing, you should download and arrange any quick-reference manuals or rule sheets that may be needed.

An example of a rapid reference item is the poker cheat sheet which is quite popular among new players. Poker hand rankings list the many possible poker hands and their corresponding values. You’ll be a quicker, more confident player if you have a handful of resources like these on your Mac computer or in a sidebar.

Explore a Multi-Screen Setup

The number of screens you’ll need is proportional to the number of tables you use them for. Say you want to emulate Randy “Nanonoko” Lew and play 36 hands at once. If that’s the case, you will require many screens to accommodate all those tables. If you limit yourself to a few tables at once, a single large screen or a dual-screen monitor might suffice.

Nonetheless, having many displays, whether PCs, TVs, or computers linked to TVs, increases the versatility of your poker setup. You may use them to play numerous games at once or to keep track of your play (for instance, to mark hands you might wish to replay later).

Final Thoughts

For a savvy online poker player, comfort and functionality are crucial. Therefore, you should get the right tools and invest in a decent setup for a great experience. Also, remember to choose the best online casinos with games optimized for Mac and other PC devices. This way, you will have the best experience playing your favorite game online.