Before you play poker online, most of you want to know if online poker is safe. Studying the online poker environment a bit deeper will help answer that question. Usually, conventional casino-hosted poker games were the only way to play poker. With the rise in competition, and low profitability margins, 'brick and mortar' casinos no longer see poker rooms as profitable. More casinos are shutting down poker rooms in preference to high-earning slot machines. Online poker playing sites saw this as an opportunity, and have embraced it. From the late 1990's, sites like Planet Poker came into existence to cater to a growing number of gamers wanting to play poker online. Today, online poker sites like PokerStars and PartyGaming offer 24/7 online poker games to any visitor who wishes to play online poker.

And treading in the path of online poker sites, a mini-gaming industry has formed, presenting people courses on how to play poker online. If you are wondering where your odds are bette I would suggest to try this site out Play Poker Online When looking to play poker online, search for well known sites that have a track record of safe online poker practices. Toronto-based PolerStars has established itself as an industry leader in online poker. With a market value of over $2 billion, PokerStars boasts one of the highest volume of traffic of patrons that flock there to play poker online. While sites such as PokerStars have established themselves as market leaders in the online poker arena, you will stumble onto many lesser known names in your quest to play poker online.

Be aware that the internet is rife with fraudulent sites that entice you with low entry or no fees, high stakes and the promise of easy money. While reputable sites, such as PokerStars, invest in collusion detection software to prevent fraud, colluding amongst players to defraud fellow online poker players is the norm at other sites. Online poker sites with higher player traffic are ideal, since they are likely to host a wider variety of games, and offer better chances for you to get in on a vacant table. And before you jump in, make sure you read the fine print for fees and rake charges. Like PokerStars, look for online poker sites that give you sign-up, deposit or reload bonuses.

Also, your search to play poker online must consider any promotions that a site has to offer. And any online poker site worth revisiting time and time again, must offer a strong loyalty program - just like PokerStars, which has one of the industry's best loyalty programs. Make sure online poker is legal in your area before signing up to play poker online. In all fairness then, 'Can you safely play poker online' - and I'd have to respond - Yes. However, to have a truly safe, legal and pleasant online poker experience, remember all of the points highlighted in this article.