Online poker is a casino-style game that can be played using the internet on desktop computers, laptops or mobile devices. Players can choose to play free or for real money, with stakes ranging from pennies up to satellite entries into major live poker tournaments around the world.
Most of the top US-facing online poker sites offer a wide variety of games, with no-limit Hold’em being the most popular of these. Most also feature a large community of players of all skill levels, ensuring that you’ll always be able to find games to join.
While the rules of online poker are relatively straightforward, mastering the game requires a lot of practice and study. You can find plenty of free resources online – such as strategy articles, books and videos – to help you learn the game. While these resources tend to focus on online poker, many of the strategies can be used in live games as well.
Getting started is simple enough; all you need to do is log into an online poker site using a computer or mobile device that’s connected to the internet. Once you’re logged in you’ll be able to browse the lobby which is usually categorized by cash games, tournaments and Sit & Go’s. You’ll be able to filter the lobby so that only the games you want to see are displayed. Most sites also have “beginner” tables that can be selected, which will place you in a table with players who have self-classified themselves as beginners. This dramatically levels the playing field for new players.
Once you’ve got the hang of online poker, there are a few things you should look out for. First, you’ll want to review the banking options available. It’s important to find a site that offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, and that accepts your preferred currency. You should also pay attention to the minimum and maximum amounts you can deposit and withdraw, as well as any fees that may apply.
If you’re a US-based player, you should be aware that federal legislation has made it more difficult to fund and withdraw from poker sites since 2006. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) makes it illegal for banks to process payments linked to online gambling, essentially crippling the industry. Fortunately, several companies have remained operational in spite of this, and the industry continues to grow as more states legalize online poker within their borders.
The online poker industry has come a long way since its inception, and we’ll keep you updated on any major news or legislative developments that could impact your ability to play. For example, in recent years there has been a push to allow players from different states to compete against one another, which would be a major boost for the industry. Until this happens, however, we recommend that you only play on sites that are licensed and regulated by your state. This will ensure that your account funds are secure and that the site is held to high standards of consumer protection.