During the 1990s, poker was played primarily in smoky bars, but technology advances made online poker more of a viable alternative. As a result, hundreds of thousands of players flocked to online sites. Unlike live play, online poker sites were able to keep their players’ money safe.
The best part is that you can play it from almost anywhere. Poker software is available for your desktop or laptop, as well as your smartphone or tablet. Playing on these devices is not only convenient, but is also fun and exciting. Most poker rooms allow you to play several tables at a time. This means you can finish a cash game when you’re ready, without having to wait for a break in the action. Depending on your preferred online site, you may be able to cash out your winnings in a matter of hours or even minutes.
To get started, you’ll need to fill out a brief registration form and choose a screen name. Almost all poker sites offer free sign up bonuses. While some sites will only accept U.S. dollars, others will accept payments in a variety of currencies. Typically, you’ll find a few hundred dollars in match-up bonuses, but some sites offer a few thousand or more.
While there are some sites that will only accept one form of deposit, most US sites will accept e-checks, credit and debit cards, and wire transfers. In some cases, you’ll be required to fill out an age verification form. If you don’t want to go through that hassle, some sites offer a “top up” feature, which will deposit a small amount of cash to your account.
Aside from the obvious, you’ll also want to do your homework before signing up for a new poker site. You’ll want to know how the site works and what to expect. For example, you’ll want to know if the site has a cashier or requires you to email them your information. Also, check out the licensing and governing rules for each site. Licensed poker sites are regulated and monitored by government bodies to ensure that your data is safe.
There are many poker sites to choose from, and it’s worth taking your time and doing your research. One of the best ways to find out which sites are the most reliable is to sign up for a free trial. After that, you can start playing for real cash.
One of the best things about online poker is that it is fun and easy to learn. The games are designed to be challenging, but you don’t need a large budget to participate. Many sites offer beginner’s tables, which will level the playing field for the less experienced player.
It’s not hard to see why so many people have turned to online poker as an alternative. The popularity of the game is growing rapidly and the sites have managed to keep up. Some operators have reported a double or triple digit increase in traffic since the turn of the century.