Pulling the Cards on the Economy: Poker is on the Rise

In a world of rising prices, no- or low- cost is the new norm. The poor economy and increasing layoffs have led some people toward a new and increasing trend in at-home entertainment - poker. Thousands have started home-based poker tournaments and are raking it in on the tables playing host, and even more are making the best of their computers in virtual poker.

Home-based poker tournaments are cheap to run, are easy to set up, and involve little more than a deck of cards and a set of chips. A recent search among several bars in Marietta, GA turned up numerous patrons who have stated that they have played poker at home-based tournaments within this last year. Stroll down any grocery store magazine aisle, and you will see at least two magazines dedicated to poker. Three Publix stores had two titles in stock. The local Barnes & Noble fared much better, with at least four poker/gaming titles caught in a quick glance. Poker is on the rise, and with more people staying at home, it is a simple way to cheer your friends and have fun. Advice for home-based players is readily available from online websites, and several of them have names that include "homepoker" in the URL. There is just one catch, though - in Georgia, it is illegal to involve real money. The headlines have been turning heads recently, shedding light on the sometimes-lucrative world of live poker tournaments. Because of recent arrests, it is wise to keep your cards to your chest and be discreet about your games. Atlanta Magazine reported on a recent poker raid in January of 2008. the full report is located at http://www.atlantamagazine.com/article.aspx?id=18764.

Virtual poker is often mentioned when the subject of compulsive gambling comes up. But, there's more to this than most people see on the surface; group sites that offer a twist on classic virtual poker can prove to be a real money-maker for advanced players. Many traditional virtual poker sites disclose the use of a 'poker bot,' or software that competes against players, while a few websites now offer the newer option of players competing against other humans. There are several advantages in playing virtual poker; the player is free to dress any way, the game can be played anywhere there is internet access, and help is freely available all over the Internet. With the latest round of layoffs and the stock market taking daily dives, online poker websites are seeing a rise in traffic. Cheaters are also less likely to scam many people successfully in online poker matches due to the open communication of warnings that the Internet offers. It takes all of five minutes to search for, and find, ratings and opinions on the various websites that offer virtual poker. Personal experience has led the author to recommend Google as the search engine of choice. It is advised to potential players to research a site thoroughly in order to discover, and avoid, cheaters. The last thing anyone wants is his or her finances and games ruined by a rule-breaker. So play it safe and do the research. Another recommendation, issued by authorities nationwide in a marketing effort targeting compulsive gamblers, is that anyone facing a gambling problem needs to get help. So do your part and play responsibly.

The thrill of quick money and the allure that the few successful winners provide to the poker world will continue to increase participation in tournaments, both real world and virtual. However, the changing economic landscape has brought out the need for cheaper fun & games, so poker will continue to thrive as an option for at-home entertainment.