Let's start with differences of online poker from off line poker game and also the positives and negatives of the online version. The main principal difference is obvious - gamblers, the opponents cannot see each other. Hence, on one hand a player will not have to maintain his "poker image" and on the other hand the player can not "read" the opponent hand by focusing on one's body Language. Consequently, in online poker room the psychological moment of the game is rather weak, for somebody it is best as well as for someone it's not so excellent. In other respects online poker presents only advantages and it's going to take a while to name all of them. Here are the main ones.

Any room the exact same as any online casinos work 24 hours a day 365 days each year and any gambler may play all over the clock hole year.

A player won't have to tog up and go someplace. Playing poker online at the computer might be more comfortable that at the casino table.

The gambler can pick from a wide range of games such as the rarest ones, may play during a fifteen minute break; or leave the table any time. Players may participate in a number of tournaments and cash-games, can play short handed tables or face-to-face, may play at several online poker room tables at a time, play many games within an hour with simultaneous shuffling and dealing. Time period limit for decision taking makes the game more dynamic. The players don't have to control and count the jackpot and their very own chips.

Playing poker online is the best practice for the beginners playing micro limits which cannot be found in off line casino.

If you are ready to play poker online, you should install client programs. Basically the software comprises two parts - server part - here the cards are generated and details about all the gamblers is collected. Client's part - here the player sees the cards, opponents and makes gaming decisions. Both parts of the software are connected via the internet and constantly exchange information.

Client programs may be of two types: downloaded (executable programs) and non-downloaded (flash or java, played in the browser). Non-downloaded programs are less convenient although their number is increasing. To play non-downloaded poker room version a gambler should, as a rule, press some button like "Instant Play", then a small browser window will be opened as well as the poker room software will be downloaded there. If this is java program, the player should have java scripts enabled in his browser, flash plug-in should be installed to view flash. The players are likely to have Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher with 128-byte encryption.

If you prefer downloaded version (which is more convenient and functional), please find the section "Download" at the web linked site and download the program (usually 4-8 Mb, though sometimes occur small ones less than 1MB; they download the software after the launch and then will install the client). When the download is complete, start the program and it shall install the client program. As a rule the client will automatically add the icon of the poker room at your desktop or to folder "Programs".

Rules for the registration at the poker rooms, money depositing and withdrawal of the winning money are identical as in online casinos. When registering, fill out the application, indicate your full name, address, contact number, email, select login and password, as well as your screen name that may be used throughout the poker room playing sessions. The majority of online poker rooms accept cards. There are a couple of e-wallets such as Moneybookes, Neteller, Firepay and so forth to help ease the players funding options.