OK, so you're skeptical about trying your hand at online poker and you're wondering what the deal is. You've read all sorts of articles saying drastically differing things. You've heard reputable news from Fox News and Sports Illustrated codemning online poker and you've read partisan articles from other sources praising it. Is there complete truth in either case? The answer, of course, is of course not. Like anything else, there's a happy median and you need to find it and be educated on the major risks and pitfalls of what can be a very entertaining and fairly fruitful experience.

   Probably the best case for online poker (vs. land-based tables) is the opportunity it gives you to improve your game. When siting at an "e-table," you see more hands faster and you can even play multiple games at once with smaller buy-ins (or for free!). You'll learn advanced strategy and strength-of-hand quicker while honing your skills in identifying betting patterns. There's another great benefit to online poker, and that's the tournaments. You can find a seat at any sort of tournament at any time. Afterall, practice makes perfect, especially when that practice simulates real, in-person tournament-style play.

If you're wondering what to look for when seeking a good online poker room, here's a quick list of key attributes:

• Ease of deposit (many quality options)
• Ease of withdrawal/cashing out
• Favorable rake-out percentages
• Tournament diversity and quantity

To save you time, you can visit any poker room featured on Net Casino Search as they are all pre-qualified by the site's staff, paid correspondents and—to lesser extent—its readers.

UltimateBet Poker
Party Poker
PlayersOnly Poker
Absolute Poker
Bodog Poker

Obviously, like any other form of gambling, you should do so responsibly. You should also take a break from online tables that are streaky againt you. But don't hesitate to try again some other time because no matter what the complaint might be regarding online software, the tables have to pay out eventually. If the software is streaky, it will be streaky in your favor at some point. And despite what you read on "reputable" news sites against online poker rooms, most every pro gained their skills with at least some degree of practise online...unless, perhaps, they live in a land-based casino and can practise enough there!