Online poker is an exciting, entertaining game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. Players can sign up for a free account and play for real money.
Legal, regulated online poker began in the United States in 2013. Regulated sites are licensed on a state-by-state basis. New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware share a player pool but Pennsylvania and Michigan have yet to join.
Legality
After a series of indictments against Full Tilt Poker executives, regulated online poker came back to the United States in 2013. Since then, it has been a state-by-state affair. Players have not been able to connect with other players from other states, because of the legalities and regulatory standards that are put in place by individual states.
A recent ruling by a federal judge has changed the legality of online poker, removing it from the jurisdiction of the Wire Act. This ruling could lead to more states regulating the activity and opening up their player pools.
The biggest potential market for regulated online poker is California, which has the largest card room scene in the country. However, it will likely be 2022 or later before the state passes legislation to regulate the industry. Once that happens, it may join the MSIGA or another interstate compact to allow players to compete with one another across state lines.
Games offered
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when there was a significant contrast between “live poker players” and those that played online. Many “live pros” would shun the idea of playing online and complain that it wasn’t real poker. These days, however, the contrast is much less severe and most top players play both online and live.
Before you decide to deposit, check the available banking methods at an online poker site. These should allow you to add funds as well as remove them. You should also take note of the minimum and maximum amount you can deposit and whether there are any fees associated with these transactions.
For example, Black Chip Poker offers a generous bonus that allows you to unlock cash rewards in $1 increments for every 27.5 points earned through rake and tourney fees. The site offers a lightweight client download for Windows and Mac that runs reliably in Chrome browsers. Its banking flexibility includes deposits and withdrawals via BTC, e-wallets, and credit cards.
Payment options
When it comes to making a deposit at an online poker site, players have many options. The most popular payment methods are credit and debit cards, with Visa and MasterCard leading the way. These payment options are quick, easy and secure. Other methods include e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill, which allow players to transfer funds between their bank accounts and their poker site accounts with modest fees.
Prepaid vouchers are another option, with a range of different brands available around the world. EntroPay is one of the most popular choices, while prepaid cards are also available from some banks (for example Yandex Money and WebMoney in Russia).
In addition to traditional methods, online poker sites now accept cryptocurrency deposits. These transactions are instantaneous and offer high maximum deposit limits. Finally, some poker operators also offer a pay by phone bill option. This allows players to make a deposit without sharing any personal details and the charge will appear on their next mobile phone bill.
Safety
There are a number of security measures taken when playing online poker. These include verification of identity and secure connections to the website. This prevents hackers from hijacking players’ computers and accessing their personal information. While these precautions are not foolproof, they help protect poker players from online threats.
It is also important to choose a poker site that uses high-tech encryption. This can be verified by examining the poker site’s log in screen. In addition, serious poker sites will never ask for personal information via email or Skype.
Poker players should always check whether the poker site they play at is regulated by a recognized authority. This will ensure that they are operating legally and adhere to strict security measures. Additionally, reputable poker sites will display their license prominently on the website. Additionally, it is best to avoid multi-accounting as this is against the rules and can result in account suspension or bankroll confiscation if caught.
