Unlike live poker games that are typically held in smoke-filled bars or casinos, online versions of the game offer a more varied selection of games. Usually online poker sites also offer more ways to deposit and withdraw money including traditional credit cards, bank transfers, third party eWallets and even cryptocurrencies.
Legality
Online poker is legal in the United States, but it depends on state laws. Licensed operators use digital device fingerprinting to ensure that players are who they say they are and don’t have multiple accounts, which could violate the rules. They also monitor player behavior to detect patterns that indicate a potential problem and may shut down accounts immediately.
The halcyon days of unregulated online poker began to end with the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006. This law made it illegal for banks to process payments related to online gambling, pushing many major sites out of the marketplace. Some of these sites remained accessible to US players, including PokerStars and Full Tilt.
Currently, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada and West Virginia have legalized online poker. New Hampshire passed legislation to allow online lottery sales in 2019, but it’s unclear whether the federal Wire Act applies, making launching an online poker site difficult.
Games offered
In online poker, players play a card game against the dealer and the best hand wins. There are a variety of games that can be played, but Texas Hold’em is the most popular. The game is based on a standard 52-card deck, which is shuffled after each round. The rules vary from site to site, but most top-rated sites offer both virtual and live dealer options.
Whether you’re playing for fun or profit, online poker can be a great way to relax and unwind. But it’s important to know how much money you can expect to win before you start playing. A good rule of thumb is to use a budget that can comfortably cover your losses and expenses.
The finest online poker sites feature a robust selection of cash games and tournaments with various buy-ins. Some even offer pai gow poker. In addition, US players can take advantage of gaming options that are linked to top-rated poker pros.
Deposit options
Online poker players have several deposit options when playing real money games. These deposit methods allow players to transfer funds into their online poker accounts from their banks, credit cards and e-wallets. Typically, these deposits are instantly available for play.
Most poker sites accept major credit and debit cards as deposit options including Visa and Mastercard. Other popular card services include American Express, Discover and Maestro. Some sites also offer payment via pre-paid cards, Boku (Pay By Mobile), and direct bank wires.
Other popular poker deposit options are eWallets like Skrill, Neteller and PayPal. These services are specifically designed for sending & receiving money online and offer high transfer limits making them a good option for high rollers. Some eWallets charge fees for using their service, but many poker sites absorb these charges or even waive them altogether. Direct bank transfers are another excellent deposit option, although these do take longer to clear. However, they do have the advantage of offering higher maximum deposit limits than other methods.
Security
Security is an important concern for online poker players. While reputable poker sites invest in robust security measures, it is up to the players themselves to take the proper precautions. This includes using strong passwords (minimum of 8 characters with a combination of letters, numbers, symbols and lower and upper case letters) and changing them regularly. It is also a good idea to use a dedicated internet connection that is not shared with anyone else, to avoid malware infections.
Another common concern is collusion and cheating. This can occur when a group of poker players share information about their hole cards or other knowledge, gaining an unfair advantage over independent players. This type of activity is strictly prohibited by reputable online poker sites and can lead to account suspension or even having your bankroll seized if you are caught multiple times.
Fortunately, these types of attacks are rare and most reputable poker sites have robust infrastructure security measures in place. For example, they typically use SSL encryption to protect your personal and banking information. They also segment prize pool wallets from player deposit wallets, as well as chat and dealing data to prevent hacking or sabotage.
