The internet has taken the game of poker by storm. Poker used to conjure up images of gangsters, cowboys, guns and big money! However, internet poker gaming has now taken over and millions of people worldwide play the game, whether they are enjoying an evening in at home or even on their office lunchbreak!

Internet poker gaming has many advantages but also some drawbacks when compared with the live version of the game. Here we are going to look at these so that you can make an informed decision as to whether you want to engage in this new and popular internet poker gaming, or the more traditional type of game:

Advantages

1. There is always a game going-not just one but thousands and thousands. Tournaments, cash games, freerolls and plenty more are all being played right now by millions of players from across the globe. You will never be twiddling your thumbs waiting for players to join you. Internet poker gaming is happening now and will continue for years.
2. Internet poker gaming is quicker and more efficient than the live game. Shuffling, chip counting and stacking all happens in fractions of seconds. This means you can get through more hands and more poker.
3. Internet poker gaming allows you to choose between tournament play or a cash game. It allows you to choose whether to play at a high or low stakes game and it allows you to choose from Omaha, Caribbean Stud or draw holdem.

Disadvantages

1. Whilst internet poker gaming brings speed and efficiency, it loses out on the human interaction. You won’t be able to make use of legendary books such as Caro’s Book of Poker Tells because you can’t see the reactions of the other players at your table. This is one of the most fascinating parts of the game in our opinion-staring out another player, betting your chips in such a way so as to influence your opponent and engaging in table banter!
2. Internet poker gaming is not as sociable as real life poker. You don’t know who you are playing and there is no drinking or friendly conversation involved.
3. Internet poker gaming can become addictive as it is so quick and easy to lose, and very easy to re-visit the cashier and tap in your card details, rather than handing over hard cash as you would have to in a real casino.

That said, we love internet poker gaming but we also love real poker games. A healthy balance between the two will create the most rounded poker player.