The Waiting
games: All About Waiting Lists
Unless the games is
full, you'll be able to take a seat immediately just by
clicking on it, unless it's reserved by someone who is wait-listed
for it. Remember: Those on the waiting list have priority,
even if they highlighted the games after you did.
Tip: If you've chosen a game where only one or two seats
are available, first join the waiting list (if there's one
accessible) to "stake your claim" on any available
seat, and only then click to go the games screen. Otherwise
you may lose out to someone who arrived at the site seconds
after you did!
The moment you attempt to join a full games, a prominent
button or pop-up screen will invite you to join the waiting
list by clicking a button or just clicking OK. You may then
either watch the games while waiting for your seat or play
in another games until summoned by an insistent POP-up screen
prompt. The prompt completely overrides any other screen
you're on, so you're forced to respond to it before attending
to anything else.
If the Internet poker casino you've chosen
allows you to play in more than one games at a time (most
do), you can observe the games you've Wait-listed for while
playing in another games (or games). But if the site is one
that allows access to only one games at a time, you'll have
to choose between watching the games you want versus playing
in another games while waiting.
If you've no interest
in either observing the games or playing in another, you
may simply wait in the site lobby while doing other things
around the house or office. Just make sure to turn up the
sound volume on your computer so you'll hear the prompt
when you're called to the games. If you later decide to watch
the games. merely double-click on it again to join it as
an observer, or look for a button saying "Observe games."
Respond quickly
to waiting list prompts! In general, you'll be given several
prompts over a few minutes when your seat is available,
but if you fail to respond in time, or need to move chips
from another games - which takes a minute or two in some
cases - you may find yourself shut out with your seat given
to someone else. If that happens, you'll have to rejoin
the waiting list, and you'll be lowest on the totem pole.
So respond quickly to pop-up prompts calling you to the
games, and always leave enough funds in your account to meet
the minimum buy-in requirement of the games you're waiting
for.
Tip: If you've selected a cash games, just watching it for
a while is an excellent idea, even if you've already gotten
used to the site's graphics and software at the play-money
tables. After all, you're now at a table where real cash
is at stake, and you may learn something useful by observing
the action - something that will save you money!
