The Legality of Online Poker
The legality of online poker has been a long and bumpy road since its beginnings in the late 90s. While four states, including Nevada and New Jersey, have legalized poker, more are considering the idea. Pennsylvania and Delaware have already made online poker legal, and several others are considering legislation to make it legal. But what about the rest of us? Here’s what you need to know before you play. Here are some things to keep in mind when playing poker online.
First, remember to play anonymously. Using an anonymous table option at an online poker site protects you from being tracked by opponents. Playing poker under a username gives your opponents the opportunity to use HUDs to find you. Using an anonymous table keeps other players from seeing your profile, which is important for new players. And if you’re a newbie, playing poker anonymously is also a good idea. While you should never play under a fake name, you can always keep your profile private if you want to.
Although UIGEA made it illegal for banks to process payments related to online gambling, some sites continued to accept US players. The UIGEA was vague, but some sites managed to get around it. Until April 15, 2011, online poker sites were still legal in the United States, though some shifted offshore. However, the UIGEA didn’t prevent online poker from booming in the United States, so the industry survived and continued to grow.
Although the Nevada/Delaware pact did help boost the poker activity in Nevada for a few months, it had limited effects on Nevada’s traffic numbers in the long run. On the other hand, it helped Delaware players a great deal, because the state is much smaller and only has about a million residents. Out-of-state competition was crucial for the Delaware players. Therefore, a pact between the two states helped to ensure a fair game in Delaware.
While online poker sites are still accepting American players, there are fewer regulated US online poker sites that are available. While offshore sites are legal, those accepting American players are implementing new cashier options. Ignition Poker, for example, has made it possible for US players to deposit and withdraw using bitcoin and Litecoin. But since cryptocurrency is an unregulated form of payment, it hasn’t become a viable option for most online poker sites.
If you’re new to online poker, managing your bankroll is an essential skill that you’ll need to master. By following sound poker advice, you’ll soon be managing your bankroll successfully. And in no time, you’ll be a winning poker player! Keep in mind: online poker sites are not for everyone. Before you play, you need to choose a reliable poker site. The best option is one that suits your needs and budget.
Once you’ve selected an online poker site, it’s time to download its poker software. The software doesn’t take up much memory and shouldn’t take long to download, even with an archaic connection. However, if you’re not comfortable with downloading a poker software, no-download versions of poker sites are available. However, they don’t offer the same features as the full download version. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose the right poker room before playing online.
