How to Find the Best Online Poker Sites
Online poker is a fun, engaging game that can be played from anywhere. It offers a variety of formats to choose from, from a basic hold’em tournament to an Omaha cash game. With a few clicks, you can play against random strangers or even participate in satellite entries into live poker tournaments.
The first thing you should know is that online poker is legal in four states. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, and West Virginia have all passed laws allowing the game to be played online. Those states have yet to legalize it on a state-wide basis.
You don’t need to be a poker pro to play online. In fact, most players are much more skillful at the game than their live counterparts. As a result, online poker is also more exciting.
For starters, you can play for free. Many sites offer sign-up bonuses, including large cash prizes. A good poker site will match your deposit, up to a certain limit. Another incentive is the ability to multi-table. This means that you can play both a hold’em tournament and an Omaha cash game at the same time.
While most sign-up bonuses are for playing on the site, the real prize is the money you can win. Some sites give out bonuses based on the number of frequent player points earned. Most US poker sites are open to wire transfers, e-checks, and third-party eWallets.
There is an art to picking a website that provides you with a good experience. You don’t want to be forced to play at a site that isn’t secure, or risk your cash to fraudsters. Reputable websites have taken measures to make sure their players are safe.
Taking the time to read the fine print will give you the most bang for your buck. You may need to prove that you are old enough to play, and that you are in your home jurisdiction. Other factors to consider include the reputation of the site. If you’re playing against random strangers, you don’t want to be the victim of a fraudulent site.
You’ll also want to check your computer’s IP address. An easy way to do this is with a tool like IPXviewer. Not only does this give you the IP address of every other player on the table, it will also reveal if you are the only one from your locale.
Besides the aforementioned, the most important reason to play online is the ability to do so from anywhere. In fact, with online poker, you can even play from your tablet or smartphone. Of course, if you’re an experienced player, you can get into a real live game. However, most players are far too busy to bother with the hassles of going out.
If you aren’t already a player, you can find a variety of free and real money poker apps on the iTunes and Google Play stores. Be on the lookout for a site that allows you to try a few hands in the beginning.
