The popularity of poker as the card game of choice has oftentimes been associated with 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 because of its introduction online.

Bear in mind, some may argue that the invention of the hole-card camera has given poker an elite status as it has turned the game into 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 and also the World Poker Tour. Poker pros have become instant celebrities, because of cable and satellite TV.

As a result of the increasing fame of poker, an increasing number of people are getting in to the hype, which is not about to fade over the following decade. Home games have become a lot more popular and poker tournaments abound. And also to add fuel to this worldwide phenomenon, poker has been made available online. Now, virtually anyone with a computer and an Internet access 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 good debate now brewing within 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 the other without really putting one down.

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

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

However, online poker has its advantages. Not everybody owns a poker table and an otherwise expensive chip set. The poker web pages will provide that for you, all you need to do is download the platform. You don’t have to waste effort and time organizing a home game, as there are players online ready to take you on practically anytime of the day. You can play with a German player or anyone who has an internet connection anywhere on the planet. You may play with real money or simply have fun playing without it. What is Read More In this article, most poker sites will give you free money to play with without even asking for a deposit, that means you may actually bankroll your poker career without spending an individual penny online.

As well as the odds are the same. The guidelines are identical. As well as the players are the same. Online poker has just made it easier that you should take pleasure in the best card game worldwide.