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News Archive
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Poker gaining in the popularity stakes
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[2006-02-13]
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Poker is fast becoming the favoured past time of choice with more Brits opting to try their luck online than go the pub or watch TV, a new survey finds.
Over 1.5 million Brits in the UK now log-on for a spot of online gambling every month with 38 per cent saying they would give up TV to play poker and a further 19 per cent forgoing a drink in the pub, according to Intercasino and Online Gambler magazine.
The survey of 342 people also revealed that 15 per cent admit to bluffing in the buff or in their underwear.
Some 375,000 players - or 25 per cent - play online for over ten hours a week with a further 50 per cent playing for five hours per week. But despite concerns that poker playing could be stopping workers from doing their jobs properly, just three per cent claimed to sneakily play poker at work.
But almost one tenth of those surveyed claimed they would consider quitting their job to play online poker professionally. And online gambling can also prove something of a test for relationships with eight per cent of players admitting that they keep their partner in the dark over their poker habit.
However, 48 per cent of poker players still prefer to play for fun rather than big winnings but when they go online, 57 per cent play for real money.
InterCasino spokesman Peter Marcus said: "These results don't surprise me given that over 25 per cent of our active players play for over 20 hours a week. The trend we've noticed is that as players become more experienced they play for longer on a more regular basis."
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