Online poker, as the name suggests, is the game of poker played via the internet. Online poker has been answerable for a dramatic rise in the range 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 very own homes.

Statistics confirm the above mentioned. In January 2003, the total global daily cash game turnover for online poker was just $10 million (Ł5.3m) and in 2004 it rose to $60m (Ł32m). Basically, $180m (Ł95m) is wagered in cash game pots in online poker daily! Not surprisingly, this number is expected to grow steadily annually.

There are actually hundreds of portals offering online poker; most of them are, approximately, similar. The main difference, if any, will be in the gaming environment as well as the quality of interaction with other players. This might depend a lot on the popularity of the site, as popular gaming sites try and have certain in- built checks and attract serious gamblers who will subsequently, enhance your overall gaming experience. Furthermore, while some portals have a responsible, informative approach and offer significant amount of content (news, tournament results, strategy articles, reviews of online card rooms, etc.), others attempt to behave as mere conduits to other sites, normally where actual gambling games are offered.

However individuals have many various views, as far as differences between and local poker is concerned, most agree on at least few of the following:

Online poker rooms will be more player-friendly, as they offer suggestions, allow the players to play for low stakes and also are very much suited to beginners.

Online poker playing is a lot faster, as there is no banter around the table. Though brick and mortar casino players consider this interplay a central element of the game, for some playing online, the stress is laid on mathematical calculations and actual moves. Fixed place or offline poker game is time-consuming where the common rate of play is approximately thirty hands per hour while in online poker these delays, dealing and shuffling, are instant and thus a normal play is faster because of ‘auto action’ buttons.

One disadvantage of playing online poker is that it really is more susceptible to certain types of fraud even though most poker sites have safety checks.

Unlike a bricks and mortar best casino, you may play at more than one table at a time when you play online. Because of this, you might log into more than one poker site simultaneously, that means that you don’t have to be as good a player to make the same total amount online (since you boost your chances of winning by playing on multiple tables simultaneously)!

Some experienced players also feel that individuals who mostly play online poker may be at a disadvantage in a local casino, because they don’t have possibilities to learn to study and influence body language.

Another differentiating feature of online poker is the fact 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 several 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.

Whether you are a professional or perhaps a novice online poker offers you an appropriate and interesting gaming environment as well as a safer (compared to local casinos) means of learning just how to play using smaller bets. You can find numerous sites that provide guidelines and tips on learning how to play well. Below are a few interesting poker- related terms to get you started:

Royal flush: high cards (ace, king, queen, jack) of the exact same suit in number sequence.

Straight flush: cards of the exact same suit in number sequence.

Four of a kind: cards of the exact same value (e.g. four queens).

Full house: three cards of one value, 2 of another.

Flush: all cards are of the exact same suit.

Straight: cards are within number sequence, although not of the exact same suit.

Three of a kind: three cards of the exact 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.