3 ways to stay anonymous while playing poker

It is understandable that you would want to stay anonymous while you are playing online poker. In this post, we will reveal 3 ways to stay anonymous while playing poker that anyone can do. By using these methods, you can preserve your privacy and give yourself an advantage at the poker tables.

Why it is important for online poker players to stay anonymous

When you play poker online there is often a lot of money at stake. You can be playing against opponents from anywhere in the world and you want these players to know as little as possible about you. 

By being anonymous in online poker rooms you can also protect yourself from possible threats such as identity theft, fraud, or even personal harassment. If nobody knows who you are then you can focus your attention on playing the game and trying to win.

You want a level playing field when you are playing online poker for money and anonymity will help you to achieve this. If you are well-known in the online poker community then some of your opponents may have biases toward you based on your username or the reputation that you have.

1. Use a VPN when playing poker online

When you use a VPN (virtual private network), you will be able to stay anonymous in online poker rooms. A VPN will mask your IP address which means that others will not be able to see your location. Most high-quality VPNs also provided encrypted connections for increased security.

You can choose a server located in another country when you use a VPN. This will help you to keep your true identity secret and make it tough for any other players to trace what you are doing. Make sure to choose a VPN provider that does not keep any logs of your online activities. 

Read reviews online to find a VPN provider that has the fastest connection speeds, a variety of server locations, and good customer support to ensure that you have the best experience. You do not want to use a VPN that is slow as this can seriously impact your poker game.

2. Create a separate online poker identity

Another effective way that you can stay anonymous while playing online poker is to create a separate identity just for your poker. To do this, you will need to use a different email address, choose a unique username, and create an avatar that does not give anything away about who you really are.

Choosing the right username is very important. Don’t use a name that has any connection with your real identity. Do not include any personal details in your poker username as others could spot this and work out your true identity. Of course, you want to be able to easily remember your new username so make it memorable without giving anything away about who you are.

Your player avatar needs to bear no resemblance to your true identity as well. The same goes for the email address that you use. Don’t create a new email address that contains your initials or part of your name for example. It’s best to go for a general-looking avatar so other players will never be able to work out that it is you.

3. Use anonymous payment methods

The payment method that you use to make deposits and withdrawals at an online poker room can give you away. You don’t want to use bank transfers or credit cards as there is a chance that others can work out who you are by using these methods. Instead, go for payment methods that are anonymous and provide a high degree of privacy.

These days, more and more online poker rooms are accepting cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals. The reason that using cryptocurrencies is recommended is because they offer an anonymous way to transfer money. All crypto coins like Bitcoin work on a blockchain network which is decentralized and highly secure.

When you use cryptocurrencies for your deposit and withdrawal transactions you will not be creating a digital footprint that others can follow to reveal your true identity. Another advantage of crypto payment methods is that transactions tend to happen very quickly. There is no waiting around as is the case with other payment methods.

If you don’t want to use cryptocurrencies for your deposits and withdrawals then you could use e-wallets that protect your identity. E-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller can be used for deposits and withdrawals at poker rooms without divulging any of your personal details. You could also consider using pre-paid cards to fund your poker account.

Other tips for staying anonymous at online poker sites

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We recommend that you use all three of the methods described above to stay anonymous while playing poker. Also, there are other things that you can do to help you to stay anonymous:

Change your passwords regularly – make sure that you use strong passwords for your online poker accounts that do not contain any of your personal details. Change your passwords regularly to protect yourself from others logging in to your poker accounts. Keep track of your passwords using a good quality password manager service.

Avoid sharing your personal details – many online poker platforms have chat rooms and forums associated with them. If you use these features then be careful not to reveal your real name, your true location, your phone number, and so on.

Only play at reputable and secure poker rooms – do not just play at any online poker rooms. Check out any poker room that you are considering playing at to ensure that it is legit, safe, and has a good reputation with players. Make sure that all poker rooms you play at are secure and value your privacy highly.

Turn off location tracking – if you are using a device that has location tracking when playing online poker then turn this off as others may be able to figure out your real location from this.

Is it legal to play online poker anonymously?

It depends on where you are playing from and where the poker server is located. In some jurisdictions, you may have to provide information about your real identity to comply with any gambling laws that exist. Before you join any online poker room, be sure to check out the rules regarding anonymous play.

Conclusion

Playing online poker should be an enjoyable and stress-free experience for you. When there is money involved, some people will go to incredible lengths to try to gain an advantage, and uncovering your true identity could be something that they would do.

Take these 3 ways to stay anonymous while playing poker seriously and create the level playing field that you deserve. These methods work so use them to keep your anonymity and focus on your poker game.