Online poker is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. In fact, online poker revenues are projected to hit the $100 million per month mark by November 2006.

But why does professional poker players and amateurs alike, play poker online rather then in a traditional casino? Here are some pros & cons of playing poker online, which will answer that question. And as you might soon see, the pros far outweigh the cons!

Pros of Online Poker

Bonuses as Incentives
Since the competition on the Net is brutal, online poker rooms often offer generous sign-up bonuses and re-deposit bonuses in order to attract and keep you as a customer. The incentives you might get in a traditional casino are tiny in comparison. As a high roller you might get a free dinner or the honor of staying at the casino's hotel for free, but as someone playing at the low stakes tables, you would probably end up with zip.

Convenience
You do not have to get dressed and drive a couple of hours to get to the online poker room. No, you just switch on your computer, log in and start playing. It can't be easier or more convenient than that!

Cut-rate Overheads
When playing online the only overhead you pay is the house rake. At a traditional casino you have to pay the rake, tip the dealer and sometimes even pay an hourly fee for playing at the table. And when it comes to fees, less is always more!

Financial User-friendliness
On the Net, you can find table limits as low as 1 or 2 cents, while brick and mortar casinos usually do not have limits lower than 2 dollars. In addition to the low stakes, many online poker rooms also offer poker free rolls, where there is not entry fee at all.

Availability, Action & Game Selection
No brick and mortar casino can beat the action and selection you find online! While a traditional casino might have poker running all night, it is unlikely that they offer the same great 24/7 action you'll find online. And even if they do, the game selection is always limited. Online, you have more active tables to choose from and if the table tightens up, you can easily move to another one.

Rate of Play
In online poker rooms, the increased speed of shuffling, dealing cards and moving chips leads to a much faster game than at traditional casinos. In fact, the average rate of play in a brick and mortar casino is around 30 hands per hour. In online casinos, it is not uncommon for an online poker table to average 60 - 80 hands per hour. If you are a profitable player, this will certainly double your hourly earn rate!

Multi-tabling
In a traditional casino, you can only play at one table at the time. In the online world, however, players can often play multiple tables at once. In reality, this means that you can multiply your hourly earn rate, while still remaining at the same table limit.

Beginner-friendliness
Traditional casinos may be intimidating for the novice player. If you are a beginner, you do not have to feel embarrassed on the Net. Nobody can see you online!

Poker Schools and Plays for Free
Most online poker rooms offer poker schools for those who want to learn how to play the game, and play it well. Many poker sites also offer plays for free, so that one can practice the game before playing for cash. If you have no or very little poker experience this is a great way to go! In addition, online poker rooms are more helpful during the course of the game than many traditional casinos. For instance, the software might prompt the player when it is his or her turn to act.

No Poker Face Needed
Since the players do not sit right across from each other in an online poker game, the players´ body language, facial expressions and reactions are no longer part of the game. This is perfect for those who do not have a great "poker face". However, this does not mean that one cannot evaluate your opponents´ game. In the online poker world, betting patterns and reaction times constitutes the "new poker face".

Tracking Play
Tracking poker play in a traditional casino is very difficult. Sure, you can track your winnings, but collecting comprehensive statistics about your game is almost impossible. Online, the tracking of poker play is made very easy through different features that record every action both you and your fellow players have made during each hand. For many players, this is a great tool for checking their game for mistakes and leaks. And for improving their poker skills!


Cons of Online Poker

Less Casino Atmosphere
Even though online poker rooms have chats where people can discuss the game, many players will always fancy the excitement and atmosphere of playing poker face to face at a brick and mortar casino.

No Physical Presence
In the online poker world, the players do not have the opportunity to read each others facial expressions, gestures and overall body language. Some players feel that this takes a lot of valuable information from the game of poker. Others, however, welcome the fact that one's own body language does not give the opponents valuable clues on how to play the game.

Legality
Online poker is not legal throughout the entire world. Therefore, always check your local laws before playing.

Online Poker Room might not be Mac-friendly
Most online poker rooms only cater to PC-users. However, as the online industry grows, more and more poker rooms are starting to become Mac-and Linux-friendly.