What You Should Know About Online Poker

What You Should Know About Online Poker

Online poker is a great way to make some extra cash. You can find a variety of tournaments and even some big prize pools. However, you should be aware of the time commitment required to play these games.

Online poker is a game of strategy and risk. It requires a different set of skills than reading physical “tells,” which can be difficult for some players.

Legality

Online poker is legal in the states that offer it, but the federal government is still trying to limit its scope. The most recent attempt was the 2011 indictments of major online poker operators, which pushed many sites out of the US market. However, offshore sites continue to find ways around UIGEA and accept US players. These sites typically operate without basic consumer safeguards and are not subject to strict regulation.

Despite these setbacks, online poker is steadily growing as more and more states pass legislation that allows them to offer regulated online poker. New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania are already offering regulated poker sites, and Michigan and West Virginia are poised to join them. The potential for these states to share player pools will increase liquidity in the industry. If all goes well, Illinois may become the sixth state to legalize online poker in 2021. It would have the potential to be the largest online poker market in the country if it did so.

Rules

The basic rules of poker remain the same when playing online. However, online games move much faster and the game can be played from anywhere in the world. This makes online poker a popular choice for players who want to play for smaller stakes or for satellite entries into live tournaments.

The number of people who can play a given poker variant varies, but most casino/online poker sites limit tables to around 10 players because too many hands would take too long to complete. Some games like NLHE also require a lot of concentration, which can cause problems if too many players are at the table.

In addition, many online poker sites have tools that explain what hand wins in different situations. These can help new players understand the rules of the game and avoid confusion. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the way other players bet, as online tells can be misleading.

Payment options

Online poker sites accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards and eWallets. These services help players keep their poker funds separate from their everyday bankrolls and are typically free to use. They also provide additional security by keeping your card details private. However, these services aren’t available everywhere, and they may incur some fees when used for poker transactions.

The majority of players still choose to use their credit or debit cards to deposit money at online poker sites. Visa and MasterCard are the preferred options, with Visa Debit and Maestro cards also widely accepted. Other popular choices include prepaid cards like American Express and Discover, and eWallets such as Skrill and NETELLER.

Direct bank transfer deposits are another option. These typically carry the lowest minimum deposit amount, but they can take a little longer to process. In addition, some poker sites offer Boku, a pay by phone service that allows you to make deposits directly from your mobile.

Sites to play

Online poker sites offer a variety of games and betting options. They often have lower limits than those at brick and mortar casinos, as the marginal cost of opening a table is much less. In addition, players from around the world deal in a wide range of currencies, which is not an issue at live casinos.

Many regulated poker sites will ask you to provide backup documentation before you can deposit. This is part of the process known as Know Your Customer (KYC), and helps prevent money laundering and underage gambling.

Some online poker sites also offer tournaments in which players compete to win entry to real-life events. This was the method through which Chris Moneymaker won his 2003 WSOP Main Event title and triggered the poker boom. These tournaments are sometimes called satellites and typically have a guaranteed prize pool. Players can enter them for free or with a bonus code. Players can also find Sit & Go tournaments, in which a predetermined number of players converge at one table for an action-packed game that usually concludes within an hour.