Poker in its many forms has been popular since cards were invented. As a game, it became popular after appearing as a staple in thousands of western movies that came out of the US. More recently, the Texas Hold’em version of poker has become a popular game both online and offline following a wide range of television shows featuring celebrities playing. It has become so popular that tournaments are held nationally and internationally to find ‘world champions’ – these two are popular television shows.

Online poker covers a wide range of poker types. The two most popular today are video poker, played much like a slot machine, and the online version of Texas Hold’em. The latter has become so popular that it can be difficult to find an empty table at some of the higher paying games.  If you really want to challenge yourself, try heading to the tournament tables.

Tournament tables bring a new dimension to the game of online poker. Based on the last-person-standing principle, if you win then progress up a level to the next table and you will continue until the number of rounds have been completed. As a player, it has a number of benefits. Buying in can be cheap as in only a couple of pounds. Every time you win a table, you win prize money with the prize money rising quite quickly.  On the final table you could be playing for a thousand pounds or more.

Online poker is not a simple card game. To be successful, you need to learn the ropes. You also need to learn how to read other players and their betting styles. If you can learn which hands are worth betting on, and which hands have a low chance of winning, you can do well. It’s certainly a challenge and a lot of fun. If you’ve seen the games on TV, why not give them a whirl playing the online poker version.