Online Poker: The Western Arrives Online
Poker is firmly associated, either with smoky and darkened back-rooms, or saloon bars in Westerns. You can see Al Pacino or Clint Eastward knowingly viewing their cards. Or perhaps you see Paul Newman. Whoever and wherever, the baddies are sweating profusely. And you are not one of them. You are a winner.
If this vision appeals go out and play. But, if you find such social situations are just a little intimidating, and you are less likely to enter a high street casino than you are to lick your elbow, you can live out your fantasies on-line. Where you are in control. Or at least should be.
One of the big features of a typical poker game is the human interaction. Who has a good hand? Who is bluffing? Looking for behavioural clues is a big thing. On-line this is not possible. So how can you interpret the hands played by your opponents?
There are clues. For example, whilst mild perspiration might indicate a poor hand in a saloon bar, the on-line equivalent is a hand played slowly, because this indicates hesitation and uncertainty. And vice versa, whilst a smug look might indicate a good hand when facing Paul Newman, its on-line equivalent is a rapidly played hand. It indicates confidence.
Of course, seasoned players might be able perspire at will to indicate nervousness when they are actually confident, or flash a confident smile when they are not confident at all, but how do they pull off such tricks on-line? By playing fast when they are not confident and slowly when they are. Human nature doesn’t change whether on-line or not.
At present, poker, whether on-line or not, is becoming increasingly popular. It has been estimated that in the United States twenty five percent of people now play. There is a strong social element, especially if you play with good friends in well-lit front rooms where the only smoke issues from pleasant-smelling incense sticks.