Selected Poker Rooms
The term 'online poker' is among the most searched phrases on the net and there is an excellent reason behind this phenomenon. Whether offered by online gaming websites or traditional gaming facilities, the game has been gaining popularity worldwide. Most poker enthusiasts would tell you that on top of the intellectual challenge, poker offers players unique excitement that other pastimes find difficult to compete with. Online poker, however, is even greater in terms of attraction because of its accessibility to any individual with a PC. It does not matter where you come from or what you do in your daily life, you can always sign up in any online poker room and have the time of your life.
Poker for the masses
Although traditional poker has been played for centuries, online poker is a relatively new to us. Planet Poker, the first virtual poker room was established in 1998. Perhaps its operators predicted that soon enough Internet poker would conquer this planet. The prophecy has indeed become reality. Today, online poker rooms are a very lucrative business. Thousands of poker players visit virtual gaming destinations on a daily basis and money exchanges hands at a very rapid pace, to say the least.
Over the years, online poker has been the topic of a wide range of discussions. Some of them presented it as nothing but evil, while others as a blessing. Online poker opponents typically mention such social problems as its accessibility to minors, potential gambling addiction and financial bankruptcy as possible derivatives of gambling over the Internet. Poker advocates, however, say that unlike other traditional casino games, which are mainly based on pure luck, poker is a game of skill. It requires certain intellectual involvement on behalf of the player just like chess. In addition, most reputable poker rooms take precautions to disallow minors from playing and alert players when their gambling becomes too excessive.
Prevent gambling addiction
Excessive gambling could indeed lead to a gambling addiction. But, the mere fact that such an entertainment form as online gambling exists, does not automatically turns players into addicts. What we mean to say is that online poker is only fun when players are in control of what they do. When you no longer have the money to play, that is definitely the time to call it quits. Nevertheless, if playing online is just an occasional pastime designed to relieve boredom, there is certainly no harm to it. Online poker rooms, with their generous bonuses and attractive promotions, can indeed add some color to our lives. In fact, some poker rooms host very exciting satellite tournaments with buy-ins into the prestigious WSOP and WPT events as first place prizes.
The only problem is that although there is vast selection of online poker websites currently operating online, not all of them are secure and fair. Before investing any money, a player needs to make sure that he is in good hands and would actually be paid in case he wins. We recommend our readers no to take any risks and hon their poker playing skills only in recommended online poker rooms that have already proved their trustworthiness, fairness and care for players' personal security. For a list of such virtual poker destinations visit our Poker Room section.
Is it legal?
Until October 2006, U.S. residents represented the most lucrative market for the online poker industry. However, in October, the U.S. government enacted the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, a law that prohibits American financial establishments to process transactions related to online gambling, poker and casino alike. Following the ban on online gambling, many highly prestigious virtual poker rooms withdrew their operations from the United States and now no longer accept wagers from American customers. Although we hope that U.S. legislators reconsider their decision on online gambling some time soon, poker rooms that are currently offering services to U.S. players are considered unlawful.
Online poker is here to stay. It is challenging, exciting and is very unlikely to vanish. Generally speaking, this industry is growing in a very rapid pace and as long as we realize there are other aspects to our lives than just online poker, we should simply enjoy the experience!