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If you believe what Celebrity Apprentice Joan Rivers says, poker players are “beyond white trash.” But I think there are millions of people who would beg to differ. In fact, poker is wildly popular right now and so are those who play it professionally. This is evidenced by the fact that poker players like Jennifer Harmon, Mike Matusow, Phil Gordon and many others have achieved enormous celebrity status in recent years.

This surge in popularity has caused many to try their hand, so to speak, at making a living playing on online poker Web sites. Some have actually been very successful and because of this many more people have become Internet poker millionaires. These poker successes are not always who you would expect them to be, because they’re often quite young and not seasoned pros. But for every group of successful poker players, there are also plenty of people who are victims of online poker scams. Mostly new players step into this trap, because they don’t know how to check a online poker site’s bona fides.

To make sure you don’t fall into this same trap, the following points can help you determine whether a site is a scam:

• If the site doesn’t have professional-looking graphics and technology, go somewhere else. Low-quality construction could be the sign of a quick-buck artist at work or at the very least, a cash-strapped operator.
• Determine whether the site is a member of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC). IGC members agree to adhere to a code of ethics.
• Make sure the site has 24-hour support with a toll-free phone number and e-mail.
• If a site passes the first three requirements, do several small test transactions before you do any major gambling. These will reveal a lot about the quality of the site.

Every poker player got his or her start somewhere, so there’s no reason why with a little luck and a lot of practice you couldn’t become one of online poker’s stars. Just make sure to do your homework first, so any success you achieve won’t be spoiled by regret.