Poker Etiquette

You would be forgiven for thinking that no etiquette applies in online poker. Many, many times online poker players reach the depths of vulgarity simply because of a perceived 'bad beat' inflicted on them by another player, or even because another player is just playing badly. Or maybe even for no obvious reason. Some players will be abusive and rude to other players simply as a playing 'style'. This type of player seems to think that being rude to others at the tables will put their opponents on 'tilt' and therefore give them an edge.
Well, in that respect, they are correct. Sometimes, anyway. It can be very infuriating to have abuse heaped on you for the way you play, or for your lack of ability or obvious mistakes you may have made. To have a player heap abuse on you after you won a hand from them can be more than annoying; to have your play questioned in front of the whole table can affect your confidence, especially if you are not a very confident player to begin with. Should you catch a winning hand from poor starting cards, and then be abused when you show your winning 7 2 off, it might make you think twice before playing poor cards again. You don't want to be ridiculed in front of the whole table again, after all.
That might sound helpful, but sometimes it's ok to play poor cards. Sometimes you can be in the big blind and get to see the flop simply because no one raised you. More importantly, advanced play would suggest that you play poor cards every now and again just to vary your game and hinder the other players that may be getting a 'read' on you. But if your confidence is dented because you were 'abused' in an earlier hand, you may not play cards, bad cards, that maybe you should play.
Aside from that, it is not, and should never be, acceptable, for anyone to abuse any other player at the table. It just isn't on. If the other player is the absolute worst player in the world, it still isn't ok. Even if you take the worst bad beat in the history of poker, you are not entitled to be abusive to anybody. Ever. Period.
A simple guide would be that you never say anything to another player that you would not say to your Grandmother. If you are the type of person that would be abusive to your Grandmother, then that guide doesn't apply to you. The best thing to say when your temper is rising and you feel that the other player is a complete 'donkey' is ... nothing. If you are on tilt because of a bad beat - say nothing. Just leave the table.
Those players that still think it's ok to abuse other players might someday realise that it doesn't make them look like great players. It just makes them look like what they are - rude abusive people. And some day they may come to see themselves the way the rest of us see them. Hopefully, that day will be soon.
About the Author
Jared Sid writes poker reviews of online poker sites, such as Ultimate Bet Poker and AbsolutePoker.

History of Poker

History of Poker
The history of poker goes a long way back with some historians finding similar card games being played in Germany, France and even Iran (formerly known as Persia), which leads others to believe in them contributing to the current way it is being played today.
Most of today's variations of poker require players to make the best five-card hand from a predetermined hierarchy. The players then place wagers on the supposed strength of their holdings. Ultimately the cards are turned face up and the best hand takes the money on the table.
There has never been any doubt that USA is the home of modern poker; in which Texas Hold 'em is by far the most popular variation being played today with many believing it to be originating way back in the early 1900s. If you are watching poker on the tellie, there's a mighty big chance its Texas Hold 'em. It was this variation that was used in the original World Series of Poker at Binions Horseshoe Casino, Las Vegas, in 1970 and it has established itself as the standard variation used for almost all of the major international tournaments.
Towards the end of 1990s internet poker began to surface but it only got its following in 2003 when an accountant from the state of Tennessee; Chris Moneymaker won the first prize of $2.5 million at the World Series by earning his $10,000 seat from playing in a $40 online tournament.
Since then online poker has become a big business and a huge variety of games are being offered in countless sites 24-hours a day.
About the Author
An online poker player who has been bringing back the chips(figuratively speaking), night after night. To know more and how he actually does it, go to http://www.pokerking-online.com