Poker is a game which really sets the nerves on edge and soon tests the will and daring of the individual. It is surprisingly simple to learn how to play, although it may at first appear a little intimidating, it soon draws the individual into the exciting thrill of the game and gets the blood pumping around the body.

The most obvious drawback with playing poker is the threat of losing money and getting too far drawn into the addictive nature of gambling. The threat of losing money of course adds to the thrill when playing, it is part of the whole picture. However for those really worried about losing money, the sensible people, there is a great website out there which allows you to play with play money. At first this may seem to belie the thrill of real poker, but it is a great, safe way to play and practice poker before potentially taking the game further. The site that allows you to do this is replaypoker.com.

* Website review

After what seems like ages ploughing through the web and being bamboozled by what seems like a thousand poker sites, I was pleased to discover this site. It is simple to use, there are no downloads needed and the interface is simple and efficient. There are many outstanding features, all of which encourage the player to develop their game such as the various awards and poker tournaments as well as a record of poker playing statistics, all of which are a great help in the development of your game.

Naturally there is a wide variety of Texas Hold'em tables, ranging in size and stake, and variants such as Omaha and Royal such tastes stretch into these areas. It is a good idea to try all the different tables in order to learn how to play them all and the best way to do that is just to pull up to the table and to get struck in.

There are others sites of this type around, Yahoo poker is another good one that springs to mind, but for me replaypoker.com is the best place to visit for poker of this type. For a quick, no fuss game without registering then click on the mini option on their website, here you can have the option to play instantly and get a feel for the interface of the full site, it simple and effective.

You start with 200 chips and have to work your way up to success by learning the hard way at the tables. Here you quickly learn how to play and more importantly how not to play, because make silly mistakes and you are almost guaranteed to be punished and sent begging at the bank for more chips, (which of course is free).

If however you are not a beginner and laugh in the face of free poker you will want to hit the big tables for cash. There are of course many sites available to do this many of them are excellent into the bargain. Maybe a poker comparison site is the best place to look for, http://www.online-poker-inside .com/ is an unbiased site in which to view where you can read reviews and browse sites that suit you.

Poker need not be the high risk game that everyone thinks of when they think of this game. Developing skills at free sites such as these is a great way to practice and to take the skills learnt to a relaxed game between friends for small stakes. Getting people around for a few drinks and a game of poker is a great alternative to losing money at a big casino or for lonely playing over the internet. Poker is a social game and demands to be played in real life, after all, most of the fun from playing the game comes from being face-to-face with the people you beat and there's nothing much more rewarding than smashing a group of friends and being crowned the poker king.

Learn more about this author, John Gray.
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