What is Online
Poker?
Online poker, as the name suggests, is the game of poker played
over the Internet. Online poker has been responsible for a
dramatic increase in the number of poker players worldwide.
Thanks in part, to the proliferation of online casinos, the
craze for
poker is spreading beyond the mega-rich, business-suited
elite, allowing everyone a fair chance to place modest bets from
the comfort of their own homes.
Statistics confirm the above. In January 2003, the total global
daily cash game turnover for online poker was just $10 million
(£5.3m) and in 2004 it rose to $60m (£32m). Now, $180m (£95m) is
wagered in cash game pots in online poker every day! Not
surprisingly, this number is expected to grow steadily every
year.
How different is online
poker compared to playing it on-site?
There are hundreds of portals offering online poker; most of
them are, more or less, similar. The difference, if any, is
usually in the gaming environment and the quality of interaction
with other players. This could depend a lot on the popularity of
the site, as popular gaming sites try to have certain in- built
checks and attract serious gamblers who can in turn, enhance
your overall gaming experience. Also, while some portals have a
responsible, informative approach and offer considerable amount
of content (news, tournament results, strategy articles, reviews
of online card rooms, etc.), others attempt to act as mere
conduits to other sites, normally where actual gambling games
are offered.
Though people have many different views, as far as differences
between online
poker and brick and mortar poker is concerned, most agree
on at least few of the following:
Online venues are cheaper and easily accessible. Online poker
rooms are more player-friendly, as they offer suggestions, allow
the players to play for low stakes and are very much suitable
for beginners. Online poker playing is a lot faster, as there's
no banter around the table. Though brick and mortar casino
players consider this interplay a central element of the game,
for most playing online, the stress is laid on mathematical
calculations and actual moves. Fixed place or offline poker game
is time consuming where the average rate of play is around
thirty hands per hour while in online poker these delays,
dealing and shuffling, are instant and thus the average play is
faster due to 'auto action' buttons.
One disadvantage of playing online poker is that it is more
vulnerable to certain types of fraud even though most poker
sites have safety checks.
Unlike a bricks and mortar casino, you can play at more than one
table at a time when you play online. So, you could log into
more than one poker
site simultaneously, which means that you don't have to be as
good a player to make the same amount of money online (since you
increase your chances of winning by playing on multiple tables
simultaneously)!
Some experienced players also feel that people who mostly play
online poker could be at a disadvantage in a brick and mortar
casino, as they don't have opportunities to learn to study and
influence body language.
Another differentiating feature of online poker is that it
provides free money play, so that new players may practice
without the risk of losing real money.
>From the legal point of view, some legal issues are common.
Online game poker is very legitimate and regulated in many
advanced countries in Europe. Many online poker websites are
certified by legal Game Commission bodies and major auditing
firms like PWC (Price Waterhouse Coopers) to review the fairness
of the shuffle and payouts.
Getting Started
Whether you are a professional or a novice,online
poker offers you a comfortable and interesting gaming
environment and a safer (compared to brick and mortar casinos)
means of learning how to play using smaller bets. There are
numerous sites that offer guidelines and tips on learning how to
play well. Here are some interesting poker- related terms to get
you started:
Royal flush: high cards (ace, king, queen, jack) of the
same suit in number sequence.
Straight flush: cards of the same suit in number sequence.
Four of a kind: cards of the same value (e.g. four
queens).
Full house: three cards of one value, two of another.
Flush: all cards are of the same suit.
Straight: cards are in number sequence, but not of the
same suit.
Three of a kind: three cards of the same value.
Two pair: two pairs of cards with the same value (e.g.
queen, queen and king, king)
Pair: two cards with the same value.
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