After registering with an online casino, players have two choices: They can play for fun through the site's practice mode, or they can play for real money. There is no doubt that the latter option is the most sought after of the two, simply because of the fun, challenge and - obviously - the rewards. To play for real money, however, players need to deposit money into their online casino accounts.
Good online casinos will offer their customers several ways to fund their accounts. Not all methods of payment suit all players and a reputable site will provide a range of methods for customers to pick and choose from, based on their gambling lifestyles, their geographical location and the legislation governing how they may or may not pay. For example, Neteller was the most popular choice of payment for North American-based players until the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed in 2006. Almost overnight, US players were not allowed to pay for their gambling fun through Neteller and this remains true today.
There are many different kinds of payment options, although the most common include credit and debit cards, wire transfers, Moneybookers, Click2Pay, EntroPay, NETeller and EcoCard.
Another way to fund one's online casino account is by wire transfer. A standard wire transfer takes a few days to clear, while an instant wire transfer is authorized by the player's bank and allows for instant account funding. Once the player makes an instant wire transfer, he or she is required to contact the online casino to provide the transaction details before being able to play at the site.
The first thing to notice about shorthanded tables is how many more hands you play using a wider range of pocket cards. If you learn how to play aggressively, you will surely have less opponents on the postflop.
Don't underestimate the importance of keeping an eye on your contenders and how they play. This is vital in a shorthanded game. You will often have familiar opponents here. Many find it helpful to take notes on how each opponent plays in various situations. You may want to use a program like Poker Tracker to help you keep track. It's more likely that you'll be able to predict your opponents' next move by keeping detailed notes. This will certainly help you take the bank. All big poker rooms allow you to make notes through their client program. Many players don't take advantage of the opportunity and can lose a lot while playing big pots or raking in a small pay-off with the middle combinations.
Many people often stay in a game on the micro limit full-handed tables just calling in the Big Blind. The best you can hope for here is to win big pots from weak opponents or a multi pot (when many players participate in a pot), hitting a strong draw in the late stages of the game. When you play a shorthanded game, a significant portion of the profit consists of winning small pots. The more expensive the game, the more significant this part is. So, a lot depends on how aggressive you choose to play.
