Online poker is the game of poker played over the Internet. Traditional venues for playing poker, such as casinos and poker rooms, may be intimidating for novice players and are often located in geographically disparate locations.

Free poker online was played as early as the late 1990s in the form of IRC poker. Planet Poker was the first online card room to offer real money games. The first real money poker game was dealt on January 1, 1998. Author Mike Caro became the “face” of Planet Poker in October 1999.

From a legal perspective, online poker may differ in some ways from online casino gambling. However, many of the same issues do apply. For a discussion of the legality of online gambling in general, see online gambling. Online poker is legal and regulated in many countries including several nations in and around the Caribbean Sea, and most notably the United Kingdom.

Playing poker is perhaps one of the most popular trends around. Millions of people around the world are being introduced to the wonderful game of Poker through television and online poker sites. I must admit, there is nothing I look forward to at the end of a long day of work than a poker game. There is something relaxing about the unique combination or skill and luck involved when you play poker. No matter whom you play, and where you play online poker, holding the nuts or awaiting the fate of the river can be exhilarating. I play poker to relax, most others like to join in a poker game for the pure adrenaline rush.

I always find myself wondering why people take their cards so seriously, after all, isn’t it just an online poker game? Every Poker game is different with ups, downs, turns, and the occasional bad break. A great poker player can lose to anyone. We all catch bad breaks. A smart, patient, and relaxed player will always win the majority of poker games. With so many card rooms and so many people playing poker online and at home, the most skilled poker players can even make a living from playing poker. Must be nice, pay the bills while doing while playing the game you enjoy the most. Of course, I’m not one of the lucky ones; I play online poker for fun for the love of the game. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve won my fair share of poker hands but I play poker for the simple enjoyment. For me holding the AK flush and slow playing to the river while I decompress is the reason no matter where I am in the world I always find time to play online poker.