When one thinks of poker, the first images that usually come to mind are cowboys, guns, riverboats, and saloons. With such a riveting background, it's no small wonder that poker has become the most popular gambling game in the world. In actuality, poker is the descendant of two very similar games, called "Poque" in France and "Pochen" in Germany. These games were quite popular in Europe two hundred years ago, and they were the first games to use cards, bluffing and betting. These elements are the basis for poker as we know it today, although there are a wide variety of ways to play it, with different rules applying to different versions. For this reason, poker can seem complicated and intimidating to the novice player.

Fear not, new player. The internet is here to help you in ways our ancestors would have envied. While sitting at a computer isn't as romantic as sitting across a poker table from Wild Bill with a bottle of whiskey in your hand, it has its benefits. You can learn the basics of poker from any of the top poker sites that are available, and you can easily get an account from a free poker site that offers newcomers free poker money, making the initial lessons virtually risk-free. Importantly, you won't be playing against a computer, but real players who are logged into the same game that you are, which increases your understanding of the psychology of the game. Playing on a free poker site saves you from the awkwardness of the first few games, whereas playing directly front of your opponents can be nerve-wracking. But, after playing successfully online and gaining confidence, you can move on to live tables and enjoy the direct company of the people you're going against.

Most people are not good at poker when they first start out, so persistence and patience are crucial. There are many elements and variations to poker, and practice is the only way to learn them all. For beginners, the best game to start out with is Texas Hold 'Em. This is the game you usually see around poker tables on television, and it's the most popular version played today. Texas Hold 'Em is available on all the top poker sites, so it's also easily accessible for learning. With this version, you can also learn the techniques which are important to good poker playing, such as betting, blinds (and how to make the most of them), and using other players' poor bets against them. Hold 'Em also teaches bluffing, which is one of the most prominent elements to the game. Get good at bluffing, and you're on your way to becoming a top player. Five Card Draw and Stud are two other popular versions of poker, but these require slightly more advanced skills.

To get started on an exciting and possibly profitable new hobby, go online and search for top poker sites. Then find a free poker site that meets your personal needs and level of skill, and start playing. With no money to start, or at most a small deposit of $5-$10, you can bring the excitement of poker into your home while preparing yourself for the thrill of live games at casinos. Or perhaps you can go straight down the middle by inviting some friends over. Just make sure they're ready for your new skills.

About the Author

Written by Kacy Suther. StartYourBankroll.com offers free poker money to get your bankroll started. Also read reviews of free poker sites, top poker sites and acclaimed online poker rooms.