The worldwide web has made the game of poker accessible to the masses, and there are thousands who play online every day. Most of us have childhood memories of being told by some wise parent or grandparent that in order to do a good job, you need the right tools. That certainly holds true when it comes to playing online poker.
When gearing up to play, people tend to think about the software and the platform. There’s certainly plenty of choices as far as that is concerned, and review sites like Legal US Poker Sites are an invaluable resource here. But it’s just as important to get the hardware right. Here’s everything you need to know.
CPU
You might think that a simple card game is not going to need much in the way of processor power. Prepare to be surprised, CPU usage on poker games is higher than you think, especially when you use multiple monitors – of which more in just a moment. That’s not to say you need to go crazy, but at the same time, you shouldn’t shoot any lower than a Dual-core Intel 2.6 gigahertz processor, or the AMD equivalent.
RAM
If you’ve spent any time at all around PCs, you’ll know the golden rule that big is beautiful when it comes to RAM, and you can never have too much. You’ll be able to play online poker absolutely fine with 2 GB of RAM, but if budget allows, 4 GB is better, especially if you are also into other kinds of gaming.
Monitor
Really, that should read “monitors.” All the pros use a multi-monitor setup, and most opt for three. Of course, it depends on the space you have available, but a central 30” monitor and two 20” monitors, one to either side, will set you up for life. It’s one of those rare occasions when quantity is more important than quality, and if you shop around, you can buy all three and have changed from $500.
Mouse
Mice are rapidly going out of fashion these days, but you’re strongly recommended to use one when playing poker, especially when serious money is on the line. They are so much more responsive than trackpads, especially if you’re liable to get a little clammy in the heat of battle. For optimum accuracy, try a thumb mouse. They take a little getting used to, but it is well worth the effort.
Chair
Don’t underestimate the importance of having the right chair. If you’re fidgeting to get comfortable or your back is killing you, there’s no way you’ll be playing at the top of your game. There’s a massive choice of gaming chairs and office chairs out there, and the only way to choose the right one is to try them out. If the prices leave you in a cold sweat, try looking for a task chair instead. There’s really very little difference, except these are available from retailers like Ikea and will set you back considerably less money.