Online Poker a Popular Draw

As reported by the East Valley Tribune: "Greg Powers opened his laptop computer, logged on to an Internet poker site and bellied up to a Texas hold-'em table. In 15 minutes, he was about $400 ahead.

"…Fresh out of college and armed with a history degree, the Scottsdale resident makes his living playing online poker.

"At first, the stakes were low — and strictly for entertainment. He gradually started winning a few hundred bucks here and there from poker Web sites.

"Powers began to take his luck seriously following successful tournament finishes. He used the winnings to pay out-of-state college tuition at the University of California-Santa Barbara.

"…'I don't think I'm a professional gambler,',' said Powers, who credits his success to a competitive personality. 'I call myself a strategic decision specialist.'

"In recent years, events such as the World Series of Poker sparked a surge in poker's popularity, both in the casinos and online.

"…Mesa resident Randy Burger, 33, said he wins more at online poker now that he plays for fun again.

"Burger said he made a decent living from virtual casinos during a four-year stretch. He estimated the top professional online players earn between $30,000 and $60,000 a year — and likely more if they also win tournaments…"