What is online card room poker? Online card room poker, also referred to as internet poker, is playing poker Via a computer connection over the internet. Internet poker firms supply computer software via their websites to connect poker players from all over the world so that they can compete against one another in a game. The games can be played 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the privacy of the player's own home.

What types of poker can be played? Online card rooms offer a variety of games including Texas hold 'em, five card draw, seven card stud and Omaha. You can play in live games for money or in free games for fun. There are games at all stake levels starting from 1p to no limit games where you can bet as much as you like. You can can also watch games in progress. A wide choice of tournaments is offered.

What is the rake? This is the method used by poker rooms to make their money on the services they offer. For real money games, a rake of typically 5 per cent is charged for the use of the poker room services. The rake is deducted from the winning pot. The rake charged varies with different poker sites. Some offer reduced rates for regular customers. Others may take no rake if, for example, you fold before the flop on Texas hold 'em.

Why play online poker? Poker is a game of skill: the better you are at playing, the greater your chances of winning. Internet poker allows you the convenience of playing in your own home at a time that suits you. There is always a game on, no matter what time of day or night. Many people find playing on on the internet less intimidating than playing in a casino. They can remain anonymous, identified only by their pseudonym. No need to worry about having a poker face. The 5% rake is much lower than many bricks and mortar casinos. There are no membership fees, travel costs or dress code. You can play in your pyjamas.

Which online poker room? There is a huge amount of competition for customers, which means tax-free betting, low commission rates, initial free bets and bonuses are all offered. It is therefore worth shooping around to find a good deal. For example, one of the best offers around is the bet365 $600 welcome bonus.

What is Texas hold 'em? All the players receive two cards face down. 5 cards are then placed facing up in the middle of the table and these community cards are used by all the players. The community cards remain face up on the table. Each player uses any combination of of the two cards in his hand and the five community cards to make the best five-card poker hand. At the showdown the players reveal their cards and declare what hand they have.

What is Omaha? Each player receives four cards face down. Five cards are then placed face up in the centre of the table to be used by all the players. Each player uses any two cards in his hand and three of the community cards to make the best five-card poker hand. Only two of the players hole cards can be part of the hand. The game is dealt in a similar way to Texas hold 'em with a flop of three cards and blind bets. It is more complicated than Texas hold 'em.

What is seven card stud? Each player is dealt seven cards. The aim is to make the best possible five card hand from the seven cards. The player with the best hand wins the pot.

How does poker chat work? Players can chat to each other during play by typing messages from their keyboards. There are restrictions on what you can say. It is forbidden to talk about what is in your hand during a game. Even after you have folded you must not tell other players what you had until the game game is completed. You may chat freely once a game is finished. The usual abbreviations of text are used while chatting. Offensive language is not allowed and writing in capitals with exclamation marks makes you appear to be shouting.