No Download Texas Holdem
As the name suggests, no download Texas holdem is playing a game online or on a mobile device without being forced to download a software package first.
This may seem a bit strange if you're fairly new to online and / or mobile poker, but some poker rooms still have download solutions and when poker was first available to online players your only option was to download a poker room client.
Keep reading to learn the other names that players call no download solutions, how to get started, the differences between download and no download, and how your choice of software solutions need to be considered when you think about your long term holdem goals.
Other Names
No download Texas holdem refers to any way you can play without downloading the poker room client. You can find many different names for this that are used now and have been used over the years. Here's a list of common names used for no download poker options:
- Flash
- Mac
- Instant or Instant Play
- Browser Based
Many players also consider mobile Texas holdem solutions as no download. It's usually played using an app on a mobile device which isn't the same technology as traditional no download games on a desk top or lap top computer, but it doesn't really matter if you understand the technology. As long as it works it doesn't matter if you know how it works.
One issue is you generally can't use apps designed for mobile devices on your regular computer. If the mobile tablet or phone accesses the game through a browser you can usually do so as well on a regular computer, but an app is designed for mobile use, not computers.
If you include mobile devices, here are a few more common names that may be used:
The first no download Texas holdem solutions were created because people who owned Macintosh computers were having a hard time playing online poker. Their only option was to run a special software program called an emulator that acted like a Windows based system.
These programs didn't work well so most Mac owners simply didn't play. The early online poker rooms didn't like missing out on the extra profit that this group of owners represented so the companies started looking for solutions.
The software solutions designed to be downloaded on Windows based computers wouldn't work on Macintosh computers and couldn't be adapted to work either. But if they designed a flash based product the Mac users could play on their computers. This created the entire no download poker section of the industry and Mac players have had poker options ever since.
How to Get Started
Getting started with a no download Texas holdem option is easy. When you decide to sign up at a poker room that offers this option you need to either set up an account and log into the instant play poker section of the site or access the poker room first and then sign up for an account.
Because everything happens in your browser it doesn't matter which order you have to use to get started. Once you sign up for an account the first time all you have to do from then on is log in and start playing:
- Once you have an account and load the poker client
either find the free money section and join a table or make
a deposit in the cashier area.
- **It's always a good idea to try at least a few hands at the free money tables to make sure the software doesn't have any glitches and so you can learn where all of the controls are located.
- Click the link to the cashier area and look for the options available to players where you live to make deposits.
- Pick one of the options that you have access to, make a
deposit, and start playing.
- **If you have trouble making a deposit, check with someone in the support department.
- Also keep an eye out for promotional bonus codes before you make a deposit.
- Often you can get matching deposit bonuses that can double your starting bankroll. Always read all of the terms and conditions before you play for a poker bonus.
Where to Play
Not every online poker room offers a no download Texas holdem solution. You can feel safe using any of the poker rooms listed on this web site because we never list a poker room where we don't trust our own money, but not every room we list has an instant play option.
When you visit a site where you want to play look for a link or button advertising a no download, flash, or browser based option. If you don't find one you can contact support and ask them if they have a solution, or simply download the main client and get started that way.
If a site advertises a Mac solution you can probably use it on your computer. But if it has an Apple solution this usually means it's for the iPads and iPhones. This type of solution usually won't work for regular PC users.
Differences between Download and No Download
Once you join a table and start playing you probably won't notice much difference between a download and a no download option. It's possible that you won't be able to see any difference between the two options.
You need an internet connection to play using either solution, but the framework is already on your computer with a download client, so it may be a bit faster doing everything before you start playing. But as long as you don't have any problems you probably will soon forget if you're playing download or no download Texas holdem poker.
Your Location
Players in certain locations aren't allowed to play at some poker rooms. Some players get the bright idea that they can get around this by using no download and / or mobile solutions. They combine these options with IP cloaking or spoofing to try to fool the online poker rooms into thinking they're located somewhere else.
So players have been trying for years to figure out a way around this.
The problem is that even if you can fool the software into letting you sign up and play how are you going to handle the account details and the banking details? You have to be able to move money into the poker room and get it out and to do this you have to have a bank account in a country the poker room accepts players from.
For the most part if you find a poker room that lets you make a deposit you can feel fairly safe about playing there. You need to research the site and make sure they have a history of taking care of players and you should never play with more money than you can afford to lose, but most of the better known poker rooms are safe and have a solid track record.
Of course you also need to be aware of the legal issues concerning playing online Texas holdem where you live. Many countries and jurisdictions have licensed and regulated online poker, making it safe and easy for their citizens to play. But other countries force you to play in a gray area, not knowing for sure how legal playing actually is.
If you have any concerns or questions you should research the government supplied details about online poker on the web sites they run in your location and / or speak to an attorney. You probably need to find one that has some experience with online gambling, because most lawyers don't know anything about it.
Strategy Considerations
This may sound a little silly, but if you want to be the absolute best Texas holdem player that you can be you need to analyze even the smallest part of your game. This includes things as seemingly insignificant as your software choices. If you're not willing to do every single last thing needed to maximize your poker profitability then you don't need to worry about whether you use a download or no download solution.
You have to do everything you can to keep your mind in a profitable place when you're playing poker. This includes not thinking about the software that you're using to play online. Anything that takes your attention away from the game can cost you money.
Depending on your internet connection and computer capabilities, you may have trouble playing with a no download solution. A slower internet connection speed and / or older hardware can create lag times in no download Texas holdem games.
Because the framework of the game isn't already downloaded on your hard drive a no download solution can be resource intensive. This can create issues while you're trying to play.
You need to find a solution that works well enough to give you peace of mind while playing. The last thing you want to do is be distracted by something like this and lose a big hand or get knocked out of a tournament.
On the other hand, if you play in large tournaments that can last for hours you may want to find a solution that offers the chance to play across a wide range of devices. Some no download solutions let you play on your regular computer and also on a mobile tablet or phone.
If you find one of these solutions you can start a big tournament on your home computer and if it lasts for 10 hours and you need to run out for a minute you can switch over to your mobile device until you get back.
Conclusion
If you have a stable connection and your favorite poker room(s) offer a no download solution it may be the best option for you. But if your room offers both a download and no download option you need to consider your options. You should try both before making a final decision.
The bottom line is most online Texas holdem players can use either type of software solution so you probably don't need to worry about it. Just follow these steps:
- Find a poker room that accepts players from where you live
- Sign up
- Follow the instructions
- Start playing!