By
Gary Steele
If you are like me, the computer in front of you is an extension of your body. There are an almost unlimited number of options for you to pass the time. So why should you play online poker instead of EverQuest, Pyramids, Warcraft, SIMS, or Solitaire? Here is my list of reasons:
- Amusement – The number one reason; playing poker is
fun. If you are not having fun playing, then you are playing for the
wrong reason. Having a good time is what separates any activity from
work. If you are playing strictly to win money, then it has ceased
to be a game and has become a job. It is important to keep your reasons
for playing in perspective;
- Money – It is the only online game I know of that you
can win money playing if you are better than the other people. Casinos
will always have the edge in slots, blackjack, and other table games,
so you can never win in the long run. EverQuest, and other similar
games, require you to pay monthly and there is no reward for doing
well. Once you pay for a SIM or Warcraft game and finish it, there
is no reason to pick it back up again. Poker rewards you for being
good;
- Competition – I love to win and I am very competitive.
It is really easy to tell how well I am doing by looking at my bankroll.
If there is a flaw in my game my bankroll tells me I need to look
for it. Being competitive can be very frustrating in poker due to
the long spells of bad cards, but it feels really good to go on a
winning streak. These streaks are what will keep me playing forever;
- Waste Time – If you have a lot of time to play, poker
will always be there for you. One session won’t always be kind
to you. One session won’t always make you happy. One session,
however, can fill a couple of hours you would otherwise spend watching
useless shows like the Crocodile Hunter or Survivor. Missing those
shows is a good enough reason to take up the game;
- Learn Lifelong Skills – Poker teaches you many skills
you can take with you through the rest of your life. Obviously, patience
is one of the most important lessons, but I have also learned how
to read people, how to deal with a variety of emotions, and how to
function with little or no sleep. Poker also forces me to use logic
to make quick and important decisions. You will literally never stop
learning in Poker;
- Free Money – Online Poker Rooms give away free money.
Many rooms give you real money to sign up without even making a deposit.
Other rooms give you bonuses when you deposit money. You can literally
make hundreds of dollars just taking advantage of these bonuses. By
playing extremely tight, I was able to never lose more than the bonus
given to me while developing the skills needed to win. In the meantime,
you get to play all of the sites to find the one you like best.
There are many reasons to play poker. If you are thinking about giving it a shot, find a site offering a free bonus without deposit and play at the cheap tables for a while. Be patient, it will take a long time to learn how to win, but with dedication you can make it happen.
