To be successful when playing online poker games, you need to understand more than just the basics of poker such as knowing poker hands without a list. This is also true for online slots and other popular casino games. There are so many variables to consider for the optimal poker game, such as whether you play Texas Hold’em online or another variation of online poker. But have you ever thought about the space you play in?

Here, we unpack how your environment impacts your performance when you play online poker.

Let’s take a look at some of the most useful tips to help you create the kind of environment you need when playing online poker. 

You need the right poker setup if you want to win poker games online

If you want to win when playing online poker for money, your environment is important. In online gambling, environmental factors can affect your focus, either lowering your overall ability to concentrate or distracting you at crucial moments of the game. 

So, you may be wondering, what is a healthy environment when playing poker? Well, various factors contribute to it, either on-screen and off-screen. In fact, a healthy and comfortable environment goes hand in hand with familiarizing yourself with poker tips for beginners, simply because those are all elements that can help you become more confident and improve your gameplay if you’re looking to get the most out of your poker experience.

For example, a room that is too cold may have you thinking more about turning up the heating than calculating your opponent’s next move. Similarly, your neighbor hammering a nail into a wall may not be conducive to the concentration you need for game-winning play. An uncomfortable chair might even mean the difference between defeat and victory.

While you may not be able to control some of these issues, it helps to know what you can do to ensure your environment is optimized for your poker games, regardless of whether you’re playing casually or competing in online poker tournaments. 

Here are six key elements to consider when setting up your space for optimal poker play.

1. Have enough physical space for your poker setup

Whether you’re playing poker on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone, it’s always important to have enough space so that you don’t feel uncomfortable or physically restricted. 

If your desktop doesn’t have sufficient room for the keyboard and mouse or you have to sit on the floor with your laptop, you may not perform as well as you would if you had a more suitable table and chair to play at. 

Similarly, sitting on your own on a comfortable couch with your tablet or mobile phone is likely to be less distracting than sharing a couch with someone watching TV or an attention-seeking pet.

2. Have enough screen space for your games

This only applies to desktop and laptop players, but if you’re serious about playing multiple tables of poker at a time, it’s important that you have enough “virtual real estate” so that you can watch each of your games without having to switch windows or tabs in your browser. With all games visible when you play, you’re less likely to miss any important information because you are watching another table.

Thankfully, today there is a wide variety of options for players who want to enjoy a multi-table experience. For those with deep pockets, an ultrawide monitor could give you up to 49 inches of screen space for your online poker tables. But if you have a more limited budget, it is possible to find a solution in the new or second-hand market that better suits your needs.

3. Ensure your room is comfortable

You’ve taken the time to set up your desk and computer, and you’re ready to play real poker online. You join a live poker tournament and suddenly you’re having a tough time figuring out if an opponent has a winning hand or if they’re just bluffing. What you haven’t noticed is that part of your mind is preoccupied with how hot your room is. Ensuring that your room is comfortable while playing poker online is key to your success!

While most people may write this off as a minor inconvenience, a study by scientists from the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences has verified that people’s physical and mental functions are affected by an environment that is either too hot or cold. So if you want to be in top mental shape, you need to make sure your room is a suitable temperature for you.

Another environmental factor that can come into play is lighting. Numerous studies have been done on the subject and found there to be a link between performance and lighting. This has been highlighted in the study “Lighting, Well-being and Performance at Work,” a collaborative effort between two professors from the University of London. To make better decisions during a poker game, you need to play in a room with the appropriate level and type of light.

Another factor that plays into your performance is your seating. Now, before you go out and buy the most comfortable chair or couch that you can find, the reason why this is important is less because of the chair’s actual comfort level and more to do with the type of posture it promotes. The difference that ergonomic seating makes to a comfortable environment cannot be understated.

In their study “Do better in math: How your body posture may change stereotype threat response,” researchers from San Francisco State University found that posture has a measurable impact on a person’s mental performance. If you want to be at the top of your game, you’d better sit up straight because slouching can negatively affect your ability to think clearly.

Knowing how these elements can influence your mental effectiveness, it’s critical that you take the time to ensure your room is set up so that you can perform optimally.

4. Try to eliminate as many distractions as possible

It’s also important to take steps to remove as many distractions as possible from your poker space. Whether that means turning off the TV or leaving your phone out of reach, ensure that your environment is free from anything that could disturb your focus.

A great way to go about this is by sending out an alert to people, informing them of your unavailability during certain hours set aside to play poker. Alternatively, you could create a focus profile on your phone during certain hours to disable notifications and unwanted calls that could draw your attention away from the screen.

Another way to eliminate distractions that relate to your devices is to make sure that whatever you’ll be using is sufficiently charged. There’s nothing worse than being at a critical point in the game and having the low battery notification pop up, or worse – your battery or power source dying completely! To avoid such a situation, prepare yourself well in advance and start with a fully charged battery or have a backup power source ready.

As you can see, setting up in a conducive environment is imperative. For example, playing online poker at an internet café would harm your chances of winning. Chances are you won’t be able to control many elements in such an environment, such as people walking in and out – which can be extremely distracting – and you won’t be as focused as you should be. Additionally, when you’re connected to a shared Wi-Fi connection, connectivity issues may arise and interrupt your gameplay.

5. Adapt with the resources you have at hand

In an ideal world we would all have enough money to buy the things we need for a dream setup. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to make do with what we have – even if it’s not a perfect solution. With the knowledge you’ve gained from this piece, you can make financially appropriate adjustments to your environment so that you have an optimal experience when you’re playing poker online.

6. Prepare yourself mentally and physically

The physical and tangible aspects of creating a healthy environment are often the most recognized. However, the mental element is equally important. One of the most important poker tips for all your games is ensuring you are in the right mental state. 

Creating a healthy environment to play poker online also means reducing stressful factors, as those can impact your ability to strategize and think carefully. To take it a step further, mental preparation also involves meditation and breathing techniques, as well as consuming the right foods so that your mind functions at its best. This will help you think clearly and avoid potentially losing your hard-earned money!

A final aspect to consider when it comes to the mental side of your environment is implementing successful time management strategies. Setting a limit on how long you can spend playing online poker as well as taking regular breaks is essential to keep your mind fresh. 

Of course, this also applies to having a firm grip on your bankroll too. Your environment and mental health, as well as playing responsibly, will all have a positive impact on your online poker experience.

Play online poker games at Borgata Online

At Borgata Online, you’ll get access to a wide range of online casino games, such as poker, slots and live dealer casino games. You can enjoy all the excitement of poker through our website on a desktop or laptop or download our poker app so you can play on your tablet or mobile phone. You have the option of playing various poker variants, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha. 
Register at Borgata Online and get the best online casino experience!