Playing Poker Online- Understanding The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

By Author: Simon Skinner
Total Articles: 156
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It's safe to say that poker has become one of the premier games to play throughout the world. Yes, poker at your local casino is fun, but now millions of people are playing poker online.

Actually, the popularity is truly amazing and partially due to ESPN's coverage in the early part of the twenty-first century. However, poker playing has been going on for years in garages, basements, and local events. Actually, you've probably got tons of stories you could share about poker games back in the day.

Now though, online venues are making the game of poker even more popular. Long ago there used to be playing poker online for free with IRC poker. Eventually, real money opportunities surfaced back in 1998 when Planet Poker hosted events.

If you haven't had a chance to play them yet, there are plenty of advantages to playing poker online. In fact, the online poker areas today offer tons of different features that literally leaves you feeling like you want more. Just think about Chris Monemaker's big WSOP win back in 2003. Did you know he got a spot in the big tournament because he won a satellite tourney on PokerStars?

Even ...
... though there is a lot online poker can offer you, there are some people who worry about the legalities. The truth is, online poker tournaments are all legal and have been regulated properly. Seriously, why would they try to cheat you or any other online player out of money?

After all, they take a "rake" of the initial entry fees which is plenty of money for them.
The rake is just a percentage of the money any poker game host will receive for hosting it. Kind of like those festivals you go to in your local area that keep back $1-$2 of the initial antes.

However, there are those so called "unusual plays" that have a lot of people hesitate to get involved. We've all heard the stories about crazy bad beats, and even a long string of them. The good news is this easily explained. See, when you play online you are playing so many more hands than you would in real-life venues. So the chances of seeing some of the flops and winning hands are greater.

Oh, and let's not forget about the individual who doesn't play online because they can't see their opponent. Some believe that this is a huge disadvantage and it takes away from a player's specific strategies.

It's true you won't be able to see their "personal tells," but people have them online as well. Whether it's through their style of betting, how they talk in the chat area when they have a good or bad hand, or even the amount of times they play their cards, you will notice certain patterns. Heck, we even know some who have certain raising patterns with the same hole cards. Either way will say that playing poker online gives you a bluffing edge.

In the end though, playing poker online is quite enjoyable. No one said you had to play for real money, because they all allow you to play for free if you choose. This is why it's recommended that you get a feel for the online game before venturing into the real money stakes. Sure, you won't be able to see them fidget when they're bluffing, but you will notice different things about them.

What it comes down to is if you are looking for something to spice up your day at home or at work, playing poker online can definitely do it for you. Whether or not you play for real money is strictly up to you.
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