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 during 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 it all, giving birth to a more exciting broadcast of the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. Poker pros have become instant celebrities, because of cable and satellite TV.

Due to the increasing fame of poker, increasingly more people are getting into the hype, which just isn’t going 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. Fundamentally, 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 learn online poker 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 the additional without really putting one down.

Online poker is played the same 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 easily see the other player’s “tells,” if his hands tremble when he has a big hand or if perhaps his nose twitches if he bluffs. You may stare down an opponent in offline poker, and look great doing it like just what the pros do.

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

On the contrary, online poker has its advantages. Not everyone owns a poker table and an otherwise expensive chip set. The poker websites will provide that for you, all you need to do is download the platform. You do not have to waste time and effort organizing a home game, as you will discover players online ready to take you on practically anytime of the day. You may play with a German player or anybody who has an internet access anywhere on this 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 career without spending an individual penny online.

And the odds are identical. The rules are the same. And the players are identical. Online poker has just made it easier that you can enjoy the best card game on this planet.