Turn On, Tune In - but DON'T drop out!

by Andy Moore

Staying in to play online poker is the new going out. This is the verdict of a recent report issued by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants (GBGC). Forget shelling out for the Flix, an expensive meal or a night on the town, park yourself in front of the PC and pit your wits against fellow online players. It can be fun, flexible and even frugal if need be!

The GBGC report reveals that online gaming is not only prospering, but is growing in economic status, despite the downturn.

So prospective poker players be prepared: Turn on, tune in - but don’t drop out! After all, the stats speak for themselves.

According to the report, 2008 was the most profitable year to date for the online gaming world, topping £13bn ($20bn) in profits. Such a sum is more than just spare change. Ironically, industry pundits attribute this growth to the recession, reveals online guide, Casino Choice. With more people staying at home and not spending money on outside entertainment such as films and going out for dinner, legions of gamers are turning to online gaming, including poker as their entertainment. And, with online buy ins being relatively low cost, passing on the pub in favour of playing poker at home can be cheaper and better for your health.

But what about the health of online poker in 2009? Will the downturn start to hit players' pockets this year? Not so according to industry insiders. Many predict that online poker will overtake 'live poker' by 16% per year from now until 2012. But this is only baby steps compared with the growth a few years ago which saw the online industry expand by as much as 600% in one year alone!

So what is all the fuss about? Is it not more fun to stay at home and play cards with your mates? No way. Online poker gives those who might be too nervous to walk into a conventional cardroom to play in a non-confrontational setting.

What's more, the online free games are considered a great opportunity for new players to learn poker. The online game has exploded in America - yet analysts believe there is massive growth potential in Europe and the rest of the world.

Casino Choice believes the boom is surprising - yet the future of the industry may be even more astonishing. Recently, France opened its arms to online casinos originating outside its borders, and the US might do the same soon.

Another huge factor in online casino growth, says the website, is due to the large bonuses being offered. It reveals that players can easily double and triple their initial deposit with a welcome bonus and other incentives during their casino play.

Texas Holdem is the most favoured online poker game, attributing its massive following to TV exposure and the internet. Its rules are quite simple - yet this does not make it an easy game to win, according to seasoned online players. Experienced players are well aware there is so much more to the game beyond its basic rules. In short, prospective winners must be as cunning as a fox and have the memory of an elephant to recall the wide selection of winning strategies. While many other poker games rely on some element of luck, Texas Holdem is mostly based on skill.

So what should you look for when choosing a decent online poker site? The Online Players Association (OPA) stresses that approved casinos must provide no nonsense customer support.

In Vegas, for example, where the customer is always right, if a casino fails to provide an enjoyable online gaming experience, players quickly move to another site.

First impressions count, insists the OPA. It warns against unhelpful or elusive customer support processes. Likewise, it flags up those that cannot provide players with a top notch approach to customer support.

The Online Players Association says players must take their time when selecting a site. Most players move from casino to casino until they find one giving 'VIP treatment'; but it adds that it is worth spending the time, money and effort to find the right one.

The OPA also looks for prompt E-cash transactions. Its own team regularly deposits, plays and cashouts at each casino to see if they deliver their promises and how quickly (or slowly) they take to credit deposits and payout winnings.

Technology, says the association, has come a long way over the years and there is no excuse for prolonging cashouts beyond published time limits.

So there you have it. Why not try your hand at online poker? Turn on, tune in - but definitely do not drop out!

Article provided by bwin.com: Play online poker tournaments at bwin.com
and feel the excitement of playing against real players for real money!