Safer poker play should be something every card player constantly strives to achieve.
What do we mean when we talk about safer poker play? Well, there are a few different aspects to it. And over the course of this FAQ, we’re going to try and tackle as many of those areas as possible.
Because when you’re playing poker safer, you can stay more in control. And there’s nothing more important than that in the world of online gambling.
Playing poker safer FAQs
What’s the first thing I should do when I want to play poker safer?
The best way to kick off your journey to playing poker safer is by figuring out your gambling budget. This is the absolute maximum about of money you want to spend on gambling in a particular period of time (for example a week or a month). If you play casino games and bet on sports, make sure you include those things too. Remember, you never want to spend more than you can afford on gambling. And you should never, ever gamble with money that’s not yours.
Should I limit the time I spend gambling?
Absolutely. Playing poker safer is also about making sure it doesn’t monopolize your life. Setting reality checks, giving yourself time outs or even self-excluding for a longer term break can all help. You want to spend quality time on the felt. You don’t want to start mindlessly playing.
If your playing offline or the site you’re on doesn’t have those features, it can even help to simply set an alarm on your phone and when it goes off, cut your session off.
How do I make sure the site I’m playing on is safe?
You need to make smart decisions about where you play too. Playing somewhere that’s highly regulated is reassuring. After all, you’re spending your hard earned money here. You want to make sure it’s safe, fair and legal every step of the wya.
Look out for regulation from your local governmental bodies. And also make sure there’s trusted security certificates and encryptions. Playing with a big name brand of poker room can also help ensure a level of safety too. If they’re big, chances are the authorities are keeping an eye on them.
When is it unsafe to play poker?
It’s never safe to play poker if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your decision making is impaired, not only are you not going to make smart decisions on the felt, you might decide to gamble more than you intended to. And that is dangerous.
Even when you’re stone cold sober, there are plenty of times where it doesn’t make sense to draw up a chair at a poker table. For example, if you’re tired, forget about it. Similarly, if you’re emotional or stressed out, it’s not smart to play either.
You can play poker safer by keeping an eye on how you’re feeling. Check in with yourself. If you don’t have a clear head, don’t play.
Do you think you’re not playing poker safely?
If you think you’re playing recklessly, it’s probably time to stop. Once you start playing poker in an unsafe way, you’re leaving yourself wide open to addiction creeping in.
Know the warning signs of addiction and get support if you even suspect you might have a problem. There are also lots of organizations that can help you overcome worrying tendencies, including the National Council of Problem Gambling.
