Whenever you play poker online for real money it is important to always remember the place you are and what you are doing. The virtual world is such a complete environment that your brain can sometimes be lulled into believing you are in an alternate universe, where nothing is totally ‘real’. But money will be real.

Sure you may play online games, including gambling games, and not use real money. But as any keen game player will tell you, the top buzz, the true thrill, only comes when there is risk involved as well as the stakes are real. You may make outrageous bets and use crazy strategies with ‘play’ money but you only start earning your poker stripes the hard way whenever you play online poker for real money. In almost any case, if you spend all your time playing against others using play money, they are not going to indulge in the same strategies and tactics as those using real money. You stay a novice on earth of real poker.

In the event that you are going to play poker online for real money pick the type of site you want to play at. Do you want to play in a casino style environment in which you play the ‘house’, or would you like to play against other poker enthusiasts like yourself? Would you like somewhere that you have to set up a separate account with them to play or do you want one that comes out of one of your already existing accounts?

Find out which sites offer differing levels of play depending on experience. Some offer tournament play or play between set groups of men and women. If you are really serious, choose places that provide you the opportunity to enter qualifiers for the World Series of Poker or perhaps the World Championship of Online Poker. There are tons of big money, high profile tournaments that you could end up in, but you will need to be prepared to play and learn with the big boys and play good online poker gambling poker for real money.

What ever you chose to do make certain you’ve got enough put away for your ‘hobby’ to ensure that your gambling money isn’t being directly siphoned from your children’s college fund or your nest egg. Gambling should still be a fun pastime even when there is risk and danger involved with creating the thrill. Although not the danger of losing your home or possessions!