How to Play Mobile Poker in the United States
The best part about online poker was that you could play poker from the comfort of your own home. You could be wearing sweatpants and snacking on ice cream and fire up a game of online poker whatever the hour. Mobile poker expands your options even further.
As long as you have a phone or a tablet with an internet connection, you can play poker anywhere from a public bus to the top of a mountain. But, a pair of proper pants is probably recommended for both those situations.
If you want to take the action on the road but aren’t sure how, we’ve put together this guide to help you get going.
Pick your mobile poker device
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
You’ve got tablets or phones, iOS or Android. Well, that’s pretty much it. If you have both, then great. Luckily most online sites that offer mobile play have cross-platform software. You can either play on iOS or Android and you’ll be just as fine playing on either.
Some sites still only have support for one or the other though, so that could be a limiting factor. Once you know what device you’re going to use and have enough free space, it’s time to choose what room you want to play on it.
Pick your mobile poker site
While nearly all poker rooms have some sort of mobile site or application, they all differ in quality. Some sites also have mobile sites that you enter in your browser while others have dedicated apps.
For example, if you play on Bovada then there’s no need to download anything. All you have to do is head on over to their mobile site, log in and start playing. Ignition Poker is the same, just grab your phone or tablet and get going.
All the mobile games are the same ones you’ll get on the full site. Nothing changes except maximum portability and convenience. If you want help picking a site, check out some of our reviews below:
Other sites have a dedicated app. If you’re in a state with regulated poker, then larger sites like WSOP Online and PokerStars have mobile apps. Both WSOP Online and PokerStars have dedicated apps for Android and iOS devices.
Check your phone settings
Poker sites are a little taxing on your phone. Some will drain your battery quite fast and if you’re not connected to the internet, you’ll use your data. Some apps have battery saving options that’ll make sure you don’t run out of batteries in the middle of a game. Either way, make sure you’re all charged up for whatever game or tournament you’re playing. If you need a little extra juice, have an external battery ready.
You’ll also have to watch your data if you have a limited amount. Besides, play around with the brightness and make sure you can see all the cards and bet amounts properly.
Don’t get too distracted!
Chances are you’re probably on the move if you’re playing on the move. Make sure you aren’t driving, handling heavy machinery or doing anything remotely dangerous while you’re playing online. That’s just irresponsible.
Even if you’re not, it’s probably best to minimize distractions so you can focus on your game. You’ll only be playing one table on your mobile device, so it’ll be easier to focus on your opponents. Use this to your advantage and really focus on playing your best game.
Good luck out there!