 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Welcome to the Online PokerToday Online Poker offers the most up-to-date and fascinating online poker versions. Play and master Texas Hold 'em, Stud and more popular poker variations. |
|||
 |
 |
 |
||
 | Titan Poker | |||
 | ||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
 |
|||
Online Poker » Introduction to Poker
Poker isn't really a casino game. Yes, it's played in casinos (among other places), but the poker mindset has more in common with golf than it does with blackjack or craps. Blasphemy? Before picking up the rocks, please hear me out.
Regular casino games put players on one side and the house on the other. Professionals cas squeeze out a positive edge in some situations, but in most contests the casino has an absolute advantage; it's typically between one and 30 percent. That's why there are no professional roulette players, slot players, keno players and craps players. It's not mathematically possible to win at those games in the long run.
There are a few professionals who earn a living playing blackjack, and even fewer who sustain themselves playing video poker, but it's tough. Perfect play will produce a one to two percent player edge. Skill has a part in those contests, but luck and the percentages still hold the greatest sway.
It's the other way round in poker. Bad luck can hurt, but skill always beats luck over time. Consider the people who play poker. Many are professionals, either big money winners or small players who grind out a reasonable living. Some are semi-professionals; they supplement their regular income with poker winnings. And then there is a throng of casual players who love the game and play once or twice a week. It all sounds a lot like golf.
Why is this distinction important? Because your money is potentially at greater risk when playing poker. The house edge slowly bleeds you dry in most casino games, but it protects you as well. The mathematics are set. Sometime you win and more times they win. You have a predictable chance even if you are a beginner. Not so in poker. If you are a beginner or mediocre, it's like playing golf against Tiger Woods. You'll never win. Ever. At least not in a casino.