The first rule of good free online poker playing is to have patience. For example, I’ve gone 20 hands or more on various sites and will fold due to terrible cards. In time some good cards will appear. You just have to wait.
A lot of people go all in with an Ace and whatever card they have. This is foolish. Of course 2 Aces are nice but I’d rather bet small and play on nine people’s money than all in and maybe you’ll get one taker. Wait until after the flop to bet. Make sure a possible straight or flush won’t beat you. It’s worth the wait.
Avoid betting on cards that you hope to get in the future. For example you have 4 cards to a straight and someone goes all in. Just fold. Odds are not in your favour to bet.
Playing online poker means that you cannot see if people are using their poker face, but you can still watch players and learn how they play their game. I see a lot of people bet $400 on opening bet and then go all in after flop. These people generally have nothing.
And then you have the Bully player. They have some extra money and bet high every hand. Let them go. Don’t get discouraged. Your hand will come.
If you are a gambler, make sure your down cards will make a straight, or you have a pair. Never bet 2/9, 2/8, K/3 for example. All you have here is a luck bet.
I have found that playing free online poker games to perfect my play is the way to start playing poker, there are many sites that you can play at and not pay a penny but still win real cash.
Poker is all about patience and only a little bit of luck. If you are patient in every game and tournament that you play then you wont go far wrong. Next time you are on the free online poker sites try it out.