Since Android-based mobile phones became wide-spread, real money online poker through Android mobile phones and tablets has exploded in popularity.
The Android OS had been a huge step up from everything that had existed before it, essentially turning mobile devices into full-fledged computers more than capable of handling state of the art graphics as well as internet connections through wireless networks or 3G.
These days, Android poker clients aren’t that different from your usual PC or laptop-based online poker client, though they still do tend to be slightly simplified versions of the full software. Take the bwin android client for instance. The app offered by bwin makes it possible for players to engage in real money Texas Holdem games. No other poker variants are currently available for the android client. Players will be able to select tables based on the stakes, on the player numbers and on the game type. There will always be plenty of tables to choose from given the fact that Bwin has one of the largest mobile poker networks in the industry.
Players will be able to play at Bwin through their android devices regardless of the type of internet connection they use. Games are available though WiFi as well as through 3G connections.
Why should one play online poker through his Android phone/device though? Why is it any better than traditional online poker? Well the advantage of mobility is obvious. Through a droid phone, one can pretty much play poker anywhere as long as there’s 3D or WiFi coverage. There are online poker lovers out there who are simply too busy to play poker from a PC or a laptop, or who cannot use such a fixed platform for that purpose. Also, according to some mobile online poker players, playing through a touch-screen is much more engaging than playing through the use of a mouse.
Why is it though that there are no online poker apps available in the Android Market? Google has long taken a stance against the promotion and the advertising of anything gambling-related and unfortunately, online poker is still classified as gambling, so the lack of an official android poker app is simply a reflection of Google’s company policy. Those keen on giving these apps a try though will be able to find plenty of them, offered up by the various online poker sites. Since many of the quality android apps peddled on the Android Marker cost money to download, the question regarding the costs of these online poker apps is fully justified. Online poker Android apps are free without an exception. Online poker rooms do not make their revenue by selling apps, but rather by using these apps to net players who will then go on to play at their real money tables paying rake and tournament fees. This doesn’t mean though that poker rooms will turn away those looking for some play-money fun. Every decent online poker app for the Android platform offers play money tables as well as real money ones.
Most online poker rooms will accept deposits from Android users and they will honor withdrawals as well. Those who are already registered at a given online poker room won’t have to open new accounts for their android clients: they’ll be able to use their existing username/password to log in.
