Online poker in the UK is a big hit
AÂ quarter of internet users in Britain have logged on to gaming sites to play poker in the past 12 months, according to a new report. But many are too unsure of the rules to play with real money. Poker game is proving a popular pastime, largely as a result of its higher profile on television. Online poker is now as popular as playing at home with friends. 
A survey by market analyst Mintel revealed 23 per cent of 3,822 people questioned had played poker in the past year. Most seem to participate infrequently, with only 7 per cent playing daily and 14 per cent at least once a week. Half of those surveyed had watched the game on television, with a fifth citing TV coverage as the reason they decided to play. The amount of poker shown on TV has risen dramatically in recent years, from 13 hours in 2001 to nearly 540 hours last year (2006).