Are 'chips only' poker sites helpful for practice?

Good day everyone, I am thinking of trying my hand at poker ... I see some sites like Poker Heat and the World Series of Poker which are chips only (no cash betting - at least not for my area). Are these type of sites helpful ... or are they full of people who play poorly and I might learn bad playing from? ... or are the better players at the higher levels? ... or what else do you think?  Thanks in advance.

Are you referring to the Poker Heat app? No personal experience, but I've heard bad things about all play chip poker apps - lots of bots and people are doubting the RNG in their games. 

I'd just be careful about buying chips at these apps - they are for entertainment only, no regulation of any kind and under no obligation to offer legit RNG/games.

You can search our site for reputable US casinos and poker rooms where you can play in BTC. 

Good day everyone ... just to answer my own question:  after playing a couple chips only sites for a week ... the answer is

1)  if you are completely new to the game, it might be a good way to learn all the terms, how the different variations of the game work, and get some basic experience - like recognizing what could make a good or bad hand while under time constraints

2) they are terrible places to learn good poker techniques for actual competition and will not prepare you for actual money betting poker. People are very loose with their chips as they are either free or cost very little. They also will make wild or ridiculous bets you would never make in real life in an effort to achieve ranks or to accomplish daily challenges. So you are not playing against solid good playing and you yourself may not be doing solid good play because of trying those same challenges.

I have read that good play will only be found at the absolute highest levels on these sites ... and to be there you will be paying out some real money ... whicch is what makes the play more serious.

Thanks for the feedback! Well, most of what you said about your experience and especially the last part is a red flag to me, so be careful!

Hello, I'd like to share some insights on this topic. Having engaged in both online poker and brick-and-mortar (B&M) poker for approximately 20 years, I believe that utilizing play chips can be instrumental in grasping the game's mechanics and rules. Initially, I honed my skills with play chips online and achieved considerable success, amassing a substantial bankroll. However, it's worth noting that many players tend to adopt a reckless approach when playing with play chips due to the absence of real consequences.

Transitioning to cash games introduces a different dynamic, with players generally adopting a more conservative stance, particularly at higher stakes. Nevertheless, higher stake games also attract a more skilled player pool, presenting a formidable challenge, especially for newcomers. While bots are prevalent in online poker, particularly in "heads up" matches, they are less common at tables with more participants. Reputable casinos employ sophisticated software to detect and eliminate bots, ensuring fair play.

Although collusion can occur, particularly in high-stakes games and tournaments, it shouldn't deter new players from participating. However, it's essential to acknowledge that turning a significant profit in online poker is a demanding endeavor fraught with frustration. If you're considering venturing into real-money games, feel free to reach out to me for recommendations on reputable casinos.