The genesis of games like chess and poker is rooted in ages gone by. But these games of strategy and luck persist in today's precision cyber-age with greater-than-ever mass appeal. Poker in particular is gaining hugely in popularity and is credited with driving the appeal of on-line casino games. A trawl through various poker websites reveals that hundreds of thousands of people are on-line at any one time, seeking 'safe, secure payouts' without having to worry about wearing sunglasses or penetrating their opponent's poker face. “Fast Freddie,” the alias of one of on-line poker's biggest career winners, claims he earns about $1,000,000 a year playing poker on the Internet. Judging from interviews, it hasn't happened by accident, as Fast Freddie displays an innate understanding of the methodology required to harvest a fortune from his fellow gamers; an activity he pursues from the comfort of his own home.
Other traditional multi-player games abound online, from backgammon to snooker, scrabble to battleship. The wonder persists in the fact that cyberspace provides access to a place within which individuals from around the world can join in shared pursuits. Social networking sites are evidence of this. They also are propelling the popularity of online gaming. Facebook, with its Scrabulous plug-in, is credited with reviving the mass appeal of a game which for many was until recently a disused distraction from the rainy days of childhood.
Other traditional multi-player games abound online, from backgammon to snooker, scrabble to battleship. The wonder persists in the fact that cyberspace provides access to a place within which individuals from around the world can join in shared pursuits. Social networking sites are evidence of this. They also are propelling the popularity of online gaming. Facebook, with its Scrabulous plug-in, is credited with reviving the mass appeal of a game which for many was until recently a disused distraction from the rainy days of childhood.