| Gambling sites were somewhat popular before | | | | Whether it's your first deposit, or a deposit during |
| the first poker room, but the real excitement | | | | a promotion, you will realize "instant profit" when |
| was just beginning. | | | | you deposit your money to play poker. In fact, |
| In addition to Casinos, bettors could place their | | | | it's quite common for online poker sites to match |
| wagers with "illegal" bookies throughout the US or | | | | your deposits (up to their limit). You might deposit |
| in some online Sports books. Then in 1998, Planet | | | | $500 and receive a $500 Bonus from the site |
| Poker was launched, and online poker was born. | | | | making your beginning bankroll $1,000. You won't |
| They didn't hold their exclusivity for long, because | | | | find that in any Nevada or New Jersey Casino. |
| others soon caught on to the potential, and the | | | | Even the privately held casinos (Indian) can't do |
| race began. | | | | that for you. |
| In 1999, a new leader hit the Internet; Paradise | | | | You have many experienced, quality sites from |
| Poker was crowned the new king. | | | | which to choose, and I'm not going to |
| However, today you can find over 1,000 matches | | | | recommend one over another. I will warn you |
| if you're looking for online poker sites. In fact, | | | | however, that there are sites that have been |
| Google will return over 50M matches for anything | | | | caught cheating their players by using insiders to |
| referencing online poker. | | | | "see" the hole cards of their competitors... so do |
| As of this writing, the current "big" poker sites | | | | your homework before making that first deposit. |
| include: Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker, Party Poker, | | | | Because of the cheating that went on, or |
| Bodog Poker, and Pacific Poker. | | | | coincidental to it, the other sites have fraud |
| Many online poker sites offer the ability to play | | | | detection systems in place to keep the action |
| with "fake money" or real money. | | | | honest. They even have ways to determine |
| For learning the various forms of Poker (including | | | | collusion between players that could not be done |
| the popular: Texas Holdem'), the various sites | | | | in a brick and mortar casino. |
| offer "Play Money" tournaments, sit n gos, how | | | | They can see the history of players' hands and |
| online poker works, deposits, withdrawals etc. | | | | betting patterns. That cannot be done in a Casino, |
| In addition to winning "play money", you can | | | | because players can fold their hands and no one |
| accumulate points which will allow you to enter | | | | will ever know what they threw away. Therefore, |
| "real money" games or to "buy" merchandise that | | | | collusion cannot be detected in a casino. |
| advertises your favorite sites (and the fact that | | | | Another method for keeping everything honest in |
| you play poker online). | | | | an online poker site is noting and recording players' |
| Do you need a reason to play online as opposed | | | | IP addresses and preventing people in the same |
| to a land-based casino? Deposit bonuses are | | | | house from playing at the same table. |
| among your best incentives. Besides the | | | | Overall, you can be assured that online poker is |
| convenience of playing from your home, most | | | | safe, and you already know it is very fun (and |
| online sites will add to your deposits in many | | | | profitable). |
| forms and instances. | | | | |