Instant Play Poker

Most poker players are used to downloading a software client to play their favorite poker game in their favorite online poker room. Some poker rooms require this but there are others that allow for poker players to sit at the tables directly from their Internet browsers. This feature is usually given the name “Instant Play.” There are many advantages and disadvantages to playing using Instant Play. Some features are the same as the software client while others change. Hardware and software requirements must be met to play at the Instant Play tables which most computers this day in age should meet anyway. All in all, Instant Play is a great innovation to online Texas Hold ‘Em and will become standard at all poker rooms very soon.

The Instant Play feature is very easy to use at most online poker rooms. It requires the user to log into their favorite poker website via any Internet browser. At the poker room’s homepage, there is usually a banner or a button that will link to the Instant Play page. This is usually an entirely new window and is rarely tabbed in the current window. Players will enter their user information here and log-in to their account. A lobby that should be similar to that of the software client will pop-up. Players can use this lobby as they would the software client lobby. Filters usually work as well using Instant Play.

Some may wonder as to the advantage of using Instant Play. Essentially, it's a Free Poker No Downloads concept. Play free poker withouth having to download. Instant Play provides a way to sit at poker tables without downloading a software client. This means poker players can sneak hands in at work or school where downloading applications may not be allowed. Also, playing when on vacation or on a computer other than your own becomes an option. If you do not want other people to know you’ve been playing online poker, just delete the history and cookies from the browser. This is a lot easier than uninstalling an entire piece of software! Also, if you are a Mac or Linux user, Instant Play is a great way to play poker at a room that does not offer Mac or Linux compatibility. Since Adobe Flash can be installed and run on Mac or Linux, Instant Play becomes an option at these poker rooms.

Rooms like Titan Poker have been longer offering an instant play client. This means that users on Linux and Mac can finally use the Titanpoker Bonus Code FTRIVER and earn the $600 bonus just like Windows users.

However, there are a few disadvantages to using Instant Play. One huge disadvantage that veteran poker players will notice is that their heads-up display (HUD) does not work. Since hand histories are not saved, it is impossible for any poker software to work when Instant Play is being utilized. Some online poker rooms limit the capabilities of their Instant Play software. For example, Bodog limits users to one cash table at a time. This is different from their software client which allows players to play at four tables at once. Additionally, Bodog does not allow players to register for or play in tournaments using Instant Play. Other poker rooms may have similar limitations to their Instant Play feature.

Whenever you play online poker, remember you are dealing with real money and you should take some necessary precautions. The same obviously applies when using Instant Play poker. Since play is in-browser, you must make sure your Internet browser features the best security and is not corrupted by any malware or viruses. Some users may not know that most viruses are created to corrupt Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. With this fact in mind, it may be a better idea to use Mozilla’s Firefox or Google’s Chrome. Additionally, it is sometimes easy to close a browser window by mistake. You want to make sure to avoid this when you are in the middle of a hand or even with a table open.

Instant Play is a great new feature only available at some poker rooms. It is strongly suggested you give this feature a shot since it is very similar to the software client. Learn the specifics of the Instant Play feature at your favorite website. Take the necessary precautions and Instant Play will become a steady part of your poker diet. Good luck at the tables whether you're earning your Poker Download Bonus or poker no download bonus!