Is it "wrong" to play poker if you aren't playing with real money?

Answer 1

No, just like it isn't wrong to gamble on the outcome of non-traditional gambling games like golf or board games.

Answer 2

No it is not wrong to play, with play money. If you have never played the game of poker before it is a good way to learn how it all works out, but they do play very loose when you are talking about play chips, they will call off big bets with bad cards so beware. Its fun to take 1000 chips and try and build it up, i have both play chip and real money accounts on poker-stars and on full-tilt. On full-tilt I'm fold-master999 and i have over 1 million play chips. I love taking money from all the fish on-line. But i play for real cash as well on-line on poker-stars and they still play some what looser but it is closer to a real game with real cash, when it is play chips they have nothing to lose so they call you down with crap. I do much better playing in a real casino then on-line, but its good practice to play on-line and you don't have to get dressed up or drive to the casino, just log on and play. Poker is not gambling, it is a calculated risk.

Answer 3

This is a very good question. I own http://www.worldpokersite.com/ which is a free poker site and people around the world gather to play for fun and bragging rights.

Although it is a free poker website and people are not playing for real money, you have to understand from this point-of-view:

You are basically playing and spending your own time. It could be considered "wrong" if you don't spend your time wisely. In other words, could you have done something better in your life for society? Did you take out the trash like your dad said? Did you forget your family? Did you do your homework first?

What is your priority in life?

From a different perspective: People at worldpokersite.com come together in friendship. To learn from each other, breaking language barriers and above all, to get away from their real life which could be stressful and tiresome. Playing poker can reduce stress and while our players chat among themselves, they build a sense of hope and receive guidance and motivation from other players.

It boils down to spending your time wisely and making sure your priorities are set right. Your life is important, how do you want to spend it?

Answer 4

It is not wrong to PLAY a GAME, if you aren't playing for real money. While you may learn how to play and the rules associated with it. Alternatively, you might not get a true feeling for the GAME, as if you were playing for real money and had something to win/lose. Get where i'm going with this GAME? With the money factor added in, you will notice the difference in the way you, and others play.

I would suggest either learning how to play without money, or with a very low cash amount like pennies... at the end you'll be counting every penny and will take them for granted a bit more..

Many of the answers i read came from people who take the GAME!!!! TOO seriously...

Answer 5

I feel it is a good way to start. When I first began playing, I would mostly play freeroll tournaments. I played some ring games for play money, but, play is a lot different in a tournament even if it is a freeroll. So, I would recommend start playing some freeroll tournaments or even play money sit n' go's. In play money ring games there is a lot of people willing to "gamble" with very weak hands.

I believe play money is a good starting point because you shouldn't risk money when you don't know the game well. Yeah, people will definitely play looser and even maniacal at times, but, I still feel I learned a lot starting with free tournaments. Eventually, I decided I was good enough to play for real money, and have been a profitable player, especially in NL Hold'em tournaments. I started playing on UltimateBet, but, that was years ago. I would recommend playing at Poker.com. It is a relatively new poker room but they have many freeroll tournaments. They like to brag that they give away over $35,000 in freerolls every week. However, you must qualify by earning points to play in many of the larger prize pool freerolls. They do have $100 freerolls running very frequently - and any Poker.com member can participate - you do not need to collect points. I like Poker.com and have played at many online poker rooms including all of the big ones like PokerStars & PartyPoker. Check out the link below to visit Poker.com.

http://www.pokercs.com/_53843fdc33aad464e4d515c6d7cbb38b/

Answer 6

I should be honest that I play poker -- occasionally with real money, but mostly with play money.

The only problem with playing poker for play money is that it makes you curious about playing for real money. Furthermore, such players tend to develop bad playing habits that make real money gambling particularly risky. Even beyond that, gambling can be as addictive as smoking.

That question implies that you or perhaps your family believes it is "wrong" to gamble. This would be yet another reason to avoid creating temptation for yourself.

I'll encourage you to wait until you are educated and financially stable before trying any real gambling. Just as with substances, the young are the most vulnerable to addiction. Age, education and a little hard work are the best defense against allowing yourself to be sucked into gambling addiction.

Answer 7

if your incentive is to have fun, then no, it's perfectly fine. I've played with play money for a long time before playing with real money. many people play different with play money just because it is play money. The key is to play as if it was real money. There are some play money tournants. If you play well, you will win because you take it seriuosly. If you don't, then you won't do well obviously.

But if you want to become better, it's probably a better idea to paly wth real money. Even if it's 1cent -2cent no limit. There is still incentive for people to make money, however small amount it is. The buy in for a 1cent - 2 cent No Limit game is 2 dollars. and people take it quite seriously.

But play money most poeple don't take it too seriously. So learn the game then play with a little money. You'll notice the difference right away. good luck.

Answer 8

Not at all - although it's quite a different game when you play for 'play money' simply because of the attitude of players.

You might want to try freerolls. Freeroll tournaments are very simple to explain: you play for free with no cost required to join the table and the online poker room still offers real money prizes to the winner(s).

Most of the popular online poker rooms have regular freeroll poker tournaments, including Party Poker and William Hill Poker.

Playing in freeroll games in an excellent way to get used to playing poker online before deciding to risk real money. Think of it as a 'try before you buy' offer.

If you are new to the online poker scene then you are recommended to check out our Online Poker: A Beginners' Guide. It'll get you started on the most basic rules and put you in a position to sit down and get started on your first UK online poker freeroll tournaments.

I'll list below the best poker rooms where you can enter online freeroll tournaments.

Party Poker is the most popular of all online poker rooms. They launched back in 2001 and rapidly became a market leader. The place is always busy with loads of tables available and players to take on. Simply grab a seat at the table you like the look of and you're in. Utterly safe and loads of fun, Party Poker is a great choice both for poker experts and newcomers. They have easy deposit options and process very fast cash outs. In the event of any queries or problems, they have at hand a five star customer care team to assist you, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Click here to visit Party Poker:
http://www.casinotimes.co.uk/redirect/partypoker.htm

- - -

William Hill Poker - offers a superb poker room and they're giving free cash to new players. Join now and you'll get paid £5 per hour to play. You can spend a total of five hours of paid playing time and receive a maximum credit of £25. And once you've taken this bonus, the free cash doesn't dry up - you can now get paid to play every month - up to a maximum of £25 per month.

Click here to visit William Hill Poker:
http://www.casinotimes.co.uk/redirect/williamhillpoker-uk.htm

Answer 9

It's not so much as "wrong," as it is relatively meaningless.

Poker played for money goes way beyond the relative value of the player's hand. The betting, the bluffing, the payer's "tells" make poker a much different game than the rule book says.

Even betting for matchsticks or just for chips takes the element of risk, and minimizes it a great deal.

Without gambling, poker is just a game of chance. Adding money to the game makes it one of skill.

Answer 10

Of course not. Poker is poker whether you play with real money, fake money, or nothing at all. The betting is just an extra spice to the game.

Answer 11

No. There is nothing wrong with playing poker for free. If you want to try to play for real money you might want to check out this free poker eBook @

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/poker.html

The book shows you step-by-step instructions on how to get $100 in free online poker money at Absolute Poker. (No deposit, No Credit Card required) or $50 dollar at Titan Poker (No deposit, No Credit Card required). I hope this helps.