The explosion of televised poker tournaments and lipstick cameras has ushered in a new era of poker popularity. Thousands of new players flock to the game every day, mainly the Texas Hold 'em variation, hoping to emulate their TV heroes for fame and fortune. The logical starting place would be the local cardroom, where new players can try to improve their game against real players. Unfortunately, casinos don't exist in many places of the country. Others may feel too intimidated to enter a physical cardroom for the first time.

Enter online poker.

Beginning about four years ago, startup companies began to cash in on poker's new popularity and create online poker rooms. New poker prospects could play online anonymously from anywhere at anytime. Just fund your account, choose your game, and play your cards against thousands of real players from all over the world. But with tens of new online poker rooms popping up and trying to stake their claim on the market, where should new poker players sign up? And how should they play to make their poker experience most profitable?

Enter poker websites.

A simple Google search returns millions of websites relating to online poker. Many will be spam-laden garbage, but often visitors will discover a gem that provides free and unbiased information for online poker players. Content ranges from poker news and strategy articles to online poker room reviews and poker blogs. Even commercial poker print publications, such as Cardplayer magazine, make their content available online for free. The internet is a great tool for any poker player to improve their game for free.

Another useful feature, available on many poker websites, is the comparison of online poker rooms. The best sites will provide you with all the information you need to decide where to take your poker business. Visitors typically can find game types, limits, bonus information, and most importantly, personal experience, that will help them decide which poker room suits their needs. Many sites will even offer specific tips on how to play each poker site.

If you're looking for free poker strategy or want to know where you should play, there are many quality websites that can steer you in the right direction. Decide what you're looking for and what your poker goals are to help narrow down the search.


About the Author
Joshua Heilpern is a contributor for several poker strategy websites. He also runs Beat The Fish, an original poker strategy and review site.