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 during the 21st century is largely due to its introduction online.

Simply, 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 far more exciting broadcast of the World Series of Poker and also the World Poker Tour. Poker pros have become instant celebrities, thanks to cable and satellite TV.

Because of the increasing fame of poker, a growing number of people are getting in to the hype, which isn’t about to fade within the next decade. Home games have become more and more popular and poker tournaments abound. And also to add fuel to this worldwide phenomenon, poker has been made available online. Essentially, 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 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 kind of poker game like Texas Hold’em, Stud, or Draw poker. Some will state that offline poker is more exciting, as the opponents meet eye to eye. It really is here the place you are able to see the additional player’s “tells,” if his hands tremble when he has a big hand or if his nose twitches if he bluffs. You may stare down an opponent in offline poker, and look excellent doing it like what the pros do.

These are the things you can’t do online. You don’t see the other players. You don’t get to observe their “tells.” All you can do is watch how they bet and find out in the event you can predict their betting patterns.

Conversely, online poker has its advantages. Not everybody owns a poker table and an otherwise expensive chip set. The poker web sites 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 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 connection anywhere on the planet. You can play with real money or simply have fun playing without it. What is more, most poker sites will give you free money to play with without even asking for a deposit, meaning you may actually bankroll your poker career without spending just one penny online.

And the odds are identical. The guidelines are exactly the same. And the players are the same. Online poker has just made it easier for you to benefit from the best online poker gambling agent card game on the planet.