The recognition of poker as the card game of choice has oftentimes been attributed to online gaming. Many home gamers and poker puritans will probably disagree, but history will tell us that the unprecedented spike of the card game’s popularity through the 21st century is largely as a result of its introduction online.

As always, some may argue that the invention of the hole-card camera has given poker an elite status as it has turned the game in to a spectator sport. This innovation has allowed millions of poker aficionados worldwide to follow the action and drama of all of it, giving birth to a more exciting broadcast of the World Series of Poker as well as the World Poker Tour. Poker pros have become instant celebrities, due to cable and satellite TV.

As a result of the increasing fame of poker, increasingly more people are getting in to the hype, which is not about to fade within the next decade. Home games have become more and more popular and poker tournaments abound. As well as to add fuel to this worldwide phenomenon, poker has been made available online. Quite simply, virtually anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can play poker to their hearts desire.

As a testament to the success of online poker, major tournaments have practically increased player base with the introduction of online satellite-qualifier games, with the winner earning a seat into a major tourney. Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer, winners of the 2003 and 2004 WSOP tournaments respectively, won their seats online through satellites.

This brings us again to the great debate now brewing in the poker community: online poker vs. offline poker?

The debate need not be as contentious as it may sound, as each of the gaming arena offers something advantageous over here the additional without really putting one down.

Online poker is played the same way as offline poker. The rules are exactly the same for every sort of poker game like Texas Hold’em, Stud, or Draw poker. Some will claim that offline poker is more exciting, as the opponents meet eye to eye. It really is here in which you are able to see the additional player’s “tells,” if his hands tremble when he has a big hand or if perhaps his nose twitches if he bluffs. You can stare down an opponent in offline poker, and look excellent doing it like exactly what the pros do.

Those are the things you’re not able to do online. You don’t see another players. You don’t get to observe their “tells.” All you can do is watch how they bet and find out if you can predict their betting patterns.

Alternatively, online poker has its advantages. Not everyone owns a poker table and an otherwise expensive chip set. The poker web sites will provide that for you, all you’ll need to do is download the platform. You don’t have to waste time and energy organizing a home game, as you can find players online ready to take you on practically anytime of the day. You can play with a German player or anybody who has an internet access anywhere on the planet. You can play with real money or just have fun playing without it. What’s more, most poker sites will give you free money to play with without even asking for a deposit, which means you may actually bankroll your poker profession without spending just one penny online.

And also the odds are exactly the same. The rules are exactly the same. And also the players are identical. Online poker has just made it easier that you should benefit from the best card game on earth.