Why Poker Software Downloads are Better Than Instant Versions

Poker software downloads are not rocket science – if they were, there would be very few of us playing online poker! Online poker sites have to make poker software downloads simple because, although some online poker players are among the best educated people in the world, not everybody is a computer genius.

Visit any poker website and you will see a large button to click which invites you to “Download Now”. Inasmuch as some online poker players may be apprehensive about starting poker software downloads because of their computer illiteracy, there really is nothing to fear. Most poker software downloads have set-up files which do all the work for you and the only thing you have to do is read the terms and conditions of playing on the site.

Nearly all poker websites ask you to register your account as the final stage of the poker software download (Party Poker being a notable exception, as they ask for a registration as the poker software download starts). Registration details should always be completed accurately and comprehensively because you will need to verify them (give the poker website proof that you are a real person) before they will allow you to withdraw money from your poker account.

Poker Software Downloads for Mac and Linux

Although the majority of poker software downloads are for Windows operating sites, some poker websites cater for players wishing to play poker on Mac operating systems. Those that do not can be accessed by a Windows emulator program such as Boot Camp (Mac OS) or WINE (for players wishing to play using Linux operating systems). The alternative is to play “Instant Play” poker using Flash or Java which, as you will see below, does not provide such a satisfying experience as playing on the full poker software download package.

The Advantages of Poker Software Downloads

A lot of poker websites offer the choice of a poker software download or playing an Instant Play version of the software. Inasmuch as the Instant Play version (often known as “Flash”) means that you do not have to perform the poker software download in order to play, there are distinct advantages to playing on the full poker software package. Some poker websites limit the amount of games which are available through the instant play option, or do not give you access to online poker tournaments. Other sites may have substandard graphics or not quite as many player facilities as are available on the poker software download. If you are in any doubt that Instant Play is vastly inferior to a full poker software download, play on the downloaded poker software after first trying the Flash version of the poker website – you will never go back!