Online poker is booming right now. It’s more accessible than ever and the landscape has changed drastically since the “Moneymaker boom” of 2003. There are now a ton of poker forums that are worth visiting and a massive number of poker software programs to train with and learn from. There are also hundreds of books to read and an seemingly endless list of authors writing new ones all the time. Getting started is easy enough: just sign up for an account with your preferred poker site and deposit money using one of the available methods. Then start playing poker!
The online poker industry is also filled with a wide variety of software providers and service companies that offer everything from age and identity verification to financial services, risk management solutions, anti-money laundering tools, cyber security and responsible gambling advocacy. These services are crucial for operators to be able to provide a safe and secure environment that meets state regulations and stays clear of federally prohibited operations.
Whether you’re looking to play a few hands for fun or want to take your game to the next level, finding a good online poker site is essential. The most popular sites are regulated and licensed by the state where they operate, making them safer for real-money play than many unlicensed ones. Besides that, reputable online poker sites feature a variety of banking options for deposits and withdrawals. Some of them are instant, while others may require a few days to process the transaction.
The lobby of an online poker site is where you can find the different games that the site offers. It’s usually categorized by cash games, tournaments, Sit & Go’s and any other special formats that the site runs. Most online poker sites also have a Quick Start option that lets you play poker instantly with a pre-defined stake. This is great for beginners who are still learning the game.
Most poker rooms also have a section where you can filter by your skill level. By selecting a skill level, you will be seated at tables that are mostly composed of players with similar levels. This will greatly reduce the chances of being sat at a table with a shark.
Some online poker sites also let you filter by your location. This is especially useful for players in the US where there are currently a limited number of poker sites that are licensed to run real-money games. This way you can avoid sites that are not approved by your state’s regulator and save yourself a lot of time searching for a legit site to play poker. Moreover, you can save on gas and airfare if you play poker in your home country! You can also check our detailed guide to US poker sites for more info.
