Poker is increasingly becoming a more popular game throughout the world. There are many places to play the different games of poker. Of course we have all seen the Westerns where everyone is wearing a six-shooter, smoking a cigar and warming up to the nearest barmaid. The next image to come to mind is a seedy, back-alley, underground, smoke-filled card room catering to the town's thugs. But these times they are a'changin': Poker has come a long way since then, with more and more "average" people playing it.

Some say poker is a game of chance. With the steadily increasing number of people playing poker, it is becoming much more than merely a game of chance. There is a great deal of skill involved to become a winner in this game. Studying, practicing and playing are the only ways to come out on top. Poker, unlike many other card games, uses money as its scorecard. Your money. Learning strategy, psychology and yourself are paramount to winning in any of the the places poker is played.

There are many wonderful people playing poker in their homes, local card rooms and on the Internet. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look at the differences.

Kitchen Poker
In every city across the world, there are poker players getting together to play different variations of the game of poker. From beginning to seasoned players, cards, poker chips and tables are bought, and friendly groups of people, men and women alike, join together to play this wonderful game called poker.

The advantages of playing kitchen poker are:

• No house take (rake). This means that the (private) house where you are playing does not pay itself a percentage of each pot.
• Everyone has the comfort and ease of bringing in food, beverages, etc.
• Everyone knows each other.
• Great practice at low limits.
• Close to home
• Less pressure of intimidation

• No professional dealer, so everyone must deal
• Everyone knows each other
• Rules of etiquette are different than in a public card room
• House playing rules may differ from a public card room
• No "floor person" to settle disagreements between players

The advantages of playing in public card rooms are:

• Professional dealers (almost always, except in some European clubs)
• House rules are stated plainly and are followed without exception
• Many different players to play with, thereby widening a players ability to learn and win more
• Poker tournaments are usually offered
• Disagreements between players and/or dealer are settled by a floor person always
• Many different levels of play, and different games of poker are offered

• Rake (the card room takes a percentage of each pot which goes directly to them as revenue)
• Possibility of collusion (2 or more players working together to cheat the other players)
• Sharks (professional players feeding on the new players and tourists)
• Intimidation factor is high for new players

Internet Poker Rooms
The newest poker venue for poker players anywhere in the world is the Internet. Internet poker rooms are popping up by the droves, offering all limits of live poker along with many tournaments to play in. If you have a computer, don't mind opening a cash account with the Internet poker room, and are willing to take your chances on an unknown, then this is the place for you.

The advantages of playing in Internet card rooms are:

• A player may play in the privacy of his or her own home
• No one can see your face or your "tells" (a particular mannerism of a player that gives you an indication of the strength of his or her hand)
• No driving to a remote location
• Many different games and limits to choose from
• Practice games are usually provided (at no cost)
• Tournaments are often available

• Great possibility of collusion (players joining together to cheat other players)
• Inability to see the other players
• No regulatory body to control Internet Gaming
• History of retrieving money from accounts