Why Play Online Poker

Many people consider tradition poker and online poker to be two entirely different games. While the rules are the same in both venues, the two do diverge on certain strategic levels. Because of this, some people also look down on Internet poker as an inferior version of the game. Yet the online version does have its own appeals and benefits, as described below.

No Need for a Poker Face

Online poker often appeals to people who cannot successfully master their "poker face." These people often give away their moves or betray their bluffs through certain tells, whether this is a subtle eyebrow twitch or something more obvious, such as a shaking hand, excessive sweating, playing with casino chips, etc.

Calling Bluffs

While some people might be more skilled at bluffing, they may find traditional poker frustrating if, on the other hand, they are never able to call their opponent's bluffs or discern their tells. In online poker, with no live interaction, this is no longer a concern. While it is still important to analyze each opponent's moves by observing what cards they play and when, analyzing body language is no longer necessary.

Thus, in many ways, online poker removes some of the stress of playing poker. It is quite difficult to concentrate on your hand of cards and predict which cards will be dealt or played while simultaneously keeping track of everyone's behavior particularly if an opponent's tell is barely discernible. While online poker brings with it its own challenges, the responsibility to observe these behaviors is not one of them.