Online Poker is a card game played over the Internet rather than in person. The game is popular, with millions of people around the world playing it. The game is very similar to traditional poker, with players competing against each other instead of the house. There are many formats for the game, including cash games and tournaments. The game can be accessed through computers, tablets and mobile devices. Players can play for as little as pennies or for the biggest stakes in the world.
Most online poker rooms offer sign-up bonuses for new players. These can range from a free $10 (easy to unlock) up to massive $1,000 bonuses (harder to unlock). Always shop around and be sure to check third-party sites for the best deals. Some of these can even offer extra perks like tournament tickets.
Before the age of the Internet poker was mostly a pastime for the well-heeled and socially connected, played in smoky bars and casinos. But then an accountant from Tennessee elevated the game to primetime with a few simple spreadsheets and secure online poker sites that allowed players to wager real money against each other. The Internet poker boom has brought with it a huge increase in the number of players and a corresponding surge in the size of the prizes on offer.
The most involved players, the “vital few”, tend to devote a lot of time and money to online poker. They are the ones who experience most of the highs and lows in terms of winning and losing, and it is they who make up most of the top 1% of players. Interestingly enough, they also have the highest “variance” – the higher the variance, the bigger the swings in your results over shorter periods of time.
Another interesting thing is that the majority of these vital few play online poker for the smallest stakes. This is probably because a good deal of the poker community is still relatively new to the game and does not have the disposable income required for live games or larger tournament buy-ins. The small stakes are therefore an attractive alternative.
In general, the most important factor for deciding whether to play online or in a live setting is convenience and flexibility. If you are a busy person with a hectic schedule, online poker is probably the better option. In a live setting, you will likely have to adjust your plans to fit into the schedule of a poker room, and this can be stressful. In addition, there are often a lot more distractions at a live game, such as smoking and talking to other people. This may distract you from the game and affect your performance. In contrast, online poker offers an environment where you can concentrate solely on the game and improve your results.