Traditional (or "brick
and mortar", B&M) venues for playing poker, such as
casinos and
poker rooms, may be intimidating for novice players
and are located in geographically disparate
locations. Brick and mortar casinos are also
reluctant to promote poker because it is very
difficult for them to profit from it. Though the
rake, or time charge, of traditional casinos is
often very high, the opportunity costs of running a
poker room are even higher. Brick and mortar casinos
often make much more money by removing poker rooms
and adding more slot machines.
Online venues, by contrast, are dramatically cheaper because they have much smaller overhead costs. For example, adding another table does not take up valuable space like it would for a brick and mortar casino. Online poker rooms tend to be viewed as more player-friendly. For example, the software may prompt the player when it is his or her turn to act. Online poker rooms also allow the players to play for very low stakes (as low as 1¢) and often offer poker freerolls (where there is no entry fee), attracting beginners.
