Linux Poker Sites

In years past, online poker sites designed their poker rooms to suit the needs of PC users on windows based platforms. Personal computers are utilized in most households, so the poker sites were essentially catering to the masses. As the online poker marketplace became more competitive, competition for online poker players intensified and poker sites were forced to provide unique features and benefits to attract new poker players, as well as retain their existing player base.

Logo	Poker Room	EU	Rating	Bonus Amount	Players
	888 Poker			100% up to €400	20,000+
	Full Tilt Poker			100% up to $600	62,000+
	William Hill			200% up to €2000	32,000+
	PokerStars			100% up to $600	150,000+
	Party Poker			100% up to €350	32,000+

Linux Compatible Online Poker Sites

While the competition amongst windows based poker sites heated up, poker players having Linux based computers were left in the dark. Poker sites began to discover that poker players who ran their computers via a Linux platform were an under-serviced and virtually untapped marketplace. As a result, online poker rooms began developing compatible methods to allow Linux players play poker on their online poker sites by way of offering Java based poker clients.

Java Based Poker Sites
In an attempt to reach the poker player base using Linux platforms on their computers, poker sites began offering a Java based poker platform in addition to their traditional poker room. The java based poker room is typically a no download and lighter version of the main online poker site. This java version runs on Linux driven machines providing Java is installed on the poker player’s computer. While the good news was that Linux players could now play in many of the larger and more reputable poker rooms, players would find the Linux poker sites to be a bit light on the features of the full download poker rooms found on the very same poker sites. However, at least this gave Linux users an “in” to playing poker on mainstream online poker sites.

Playing Poker on Linux Driven Machines Using Alternate Methods
Though Java driven online poker rooms were designed with the Linux user in mind, this is not the only method Linux users can employ to play online poker. Alternate means for Linux users to play online poker include the use of an emulator called Wine. With wine, Linux users can install a windows driven environment on their Linux based computer. This allows poker players to download and run poker rooms on their Linux based platforms. Wine acts in a similar manner to Virtual PC, which is a well-known emulator that Mac users run to allow their Macs to interact with windows based applications.

Another alternative to using Java driven software to play at Linux poker sites, players may install Dual boot capabilities on their Linux based computer. A duel boot allows both Windows and Linux to run separately on the same computer. This method of dual booting is made possible by partitioning or dividing the PC’s hard drive into separate areas. On one area of the partition lies the Linux platform, while the other area of the partition allows the Windows environment to call it home. Each platform exists on the same hard drive, but operates separately. This partitioning allows players to play poker on Linux poker sites using their windows partition.

Linux Poker Sites Deposit Options
Linux poker sites provide similar deposit options that non-Linux poker sites offer. Linux poker sites provide the usual assortment of deposit choices such as Visa, MasterCard, and additionally Maestro to fund their online poker accounts. In addition to the mainstream credit cards, Linux poker sites often accept an assortment of e-wallets that are designed to move money from bank account to poker site and back again without the need for the poker player to provide sensitive personal financial information to every poker site they play.

Some of the common e-wallets that are supported by Linux poker sites are Moneybookers, as well as PayPal and NETeller. These e-wallets are widely used and prove to be secure methods of funding poker accounts. In addition, many Linux poker sites accept prepaid credit cards like the Paysafe Card. With the Paysafe card, a player can pre-pay or load the card with either a bank account or another credit card. The player then transfers funds to the poker account by way of the Paysafe card. Again, this prevents the player from finding it necessary to give personal financial information to every poker site they play on.

Linux poker players have many options available when seeking a proper Linux poker site. Poker rooms offer java-based clients, which are friendly to the player’s Linux based platform. Additionally, players can utilize the Wine program to create a Windows environment on their computer or partition their hard drive to play at Linux poker sites.