If you are thinking of picking up a new skill, Poker is worth considering. Poker lovers describe the game as fun and competitive, and a health-focused source has suggested the game has proven cognitive benefits including aiding memory improvement and boosting concentration.
To get started with playing poker, you do not need to spend a dime to get some practice in — all you need is a mobile device. Mobile games feel just like the real thing, and some apps allow users to connect and play with friends. Here is a list of some of the best android games for learning poker.
Poker Fighter
There are multiple poker variations, from Seven Card Stud to Omaha, however, Luckboxmagazine.com describes Texas Hold ‘em as the most popular. It is also the most common at poker tournaments, and Poker Fighter will teach you the basics. Poker.org’s beginner’s guide to the rules of poker highlights how the game’s popularity started back in 2003, when America’s Cardroom Team Pro, Chris Moneymaker, won the $2.5 million first-place prize at the World Series of Poker Main Event.
The goal in Texas Hold ’em is to make the best five-card hand using a combination of five community cards and two-hole cards. The app teaches you these basics in simulated games to test your knowledge; instead of playing normal games, every move you make has a corresponding “Coach Advice” — which can help you make more informed decisions in the future. Then, once you’re feeling more confident, you can also use the app to play against other people — money-free, of course.
Tournament Poker Coach
Tournament Poker Coach is very similar to Poker Fighter, but it targets users who want intermediate-level training. After all, its games are all based on real plays made in major tournaments like the World Series of Poker, World Poker Tour, and Heartland Poker Tour. In fact, you can even simulate an entire tournament to get the full professional experience.
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Tournament Poker Coach awards you with ProCoins — the game’s in-app currency — for every round that you win. Incidentally, you can also earn ProCoins if you play the right hand during training simulations. ProCoins can be used to buy “Hand-Packs” or snippets of Hold ‘em strategies professionals use during tournaments. And you can use them to improve your own poker game.
DTO
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Hold ‘em, it’s time to learn about strategy with DTO. The app is arguably one of the best poker training games on the market, largely because of the complexity of the bot you play against. Not only will the DTO bot randomize your games, but it’ll also inform you whether or not you’ve made the right moves.
If you make a wrong decision, the bot will present its “Game Theory Optimal” option — which is the best possible move you can do given the circumstances. The base app is free but you can upgrade it to premium to have the ability to further customize the rounds (for example, you can adjust pre-flop ranges).
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Zynga Poker
Originally exclusive to Facebook, Zynga is a poker app that offers flexibility when it comes to the types of tournaments you can play. From casual to competitive, you are sure to find a table any time of the day. Poker enthusiasts used to hate the cluttered interface Zynga Poker had, but the app software updates have helped minimize these complaints.
In 2015, the developers of Zynga also added a “Fast Fold” variant, where you instantly get a new hand after folding. This is perfect if you hate waiting for the next round, because you get to play a new game immediately. Zynga also offers Sit & Go’s for players who want to move beyond cash games, so you can easily play a quick round to see how well you stack up against other players.
Learning poker is fun and easy with the right apps. Plus, the four games above were created by well-known poker players. So, if your goal is to play the game professionally, these apps can help you get there if you have the dedication. For more on smartphone gaming and gaming in general, click on this link to read more articles.