know when to hold 'em

One of the best ways to turn someone into an "internet addict" these days is to take the thrill of the game, with a chance at big profitability, and add a hint of risk...and there you have it: Free Poker

Whether you're playing as a hobby, for cash, or for fun, the world of online poker has got to be one of the internet's largest growing sources of entertainment. Fueled by recent cable television World Poker tournaments, common everyday people (like my uncle) have turned to the internet to "get their game on". Personally, the closest I have ever come to getting into poker was trying those little poker slot machines at some of the casinos. Without a real understanding of the basics, I never made much money though. But it was fun, and a good way to pass some time, inhale some concentrated second-hand smoke, and score a few free drinks.

Now you can skip the lung cancer, and throw away some money from the comforts of your own home. Ahhh, one big difference here. Poker sites like PokerSavvy.com actually tell you how to play before you start dropping money on the "virtual" table. Okay, maybe two big differences...unless you've figured out how to convince your spouse to bring you drinks at regular intervals while sitting in front of the computer. I'm not quite there yet myself.

Honestly, I'm one of those people who will never have the luck or skill to list "online gambler" as my official job function, but there are some who can. My wife has a cousin who actually does this for a living. Granted, he's not married and has a drinking problem and spends far too much time online, but the guy lives for e-poker. (You can take the gambler from the casino, but I guess you can't take the drink from the gambler...) Best of all, like the real casinos, most of the poker rooms listed at PokerSavvy offer regular promotions, "free" money, and coupons to get you started without putting too much of a dent in your visa.

PokerSavvy.com also has a unique "SavvyPoints" feature, where you can earn points for playing in each of ten different poker rooms. Once you've accumulated enough points, you can then use them to pick up bonus prizes like iPods and giftcards. You can also earn savvypoints by referring friends to the site. PokerSavvy is actually an affiliate site, so you can still get the deposit bonus featured at most of their featured poker rooms, *on top of* the savvypoints offered at PokerSavvy. It's like double-dipping. If you're looking for the inside scoop, start in the "Poker Talk" room of their forum, where you can toss ideas with other cardsharks-to-be.

Coming from a web design background, I gotta admit - the PokerSavvy site is pretty slick looking, too. Much easier on the eyes than the usual glaring casino trim and "Moulin Rouge" rehash.

Best of luck, and if you run out of cybercash, stay away from that short, stocky guy known as "e-Vinny".