Online poker is a fun, easy to play game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. It’s also something you can do anytime, anywhere with a good internet connection.
There was a time when the difference between live and online poker players was stark but today many top pros play both. This is partly due to new technology that has made online poker more accessible.
Legality
Online poker is legal in the states that regulate it. These sites follow strict responsible gaming protocols and have independent auditors that ensure fairness. However, players should be wary of offshore poker sites that lack these protections.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware have recently made online poker legal, joining Nevada and Delaware as regulated states. Michigan has also passed legislation for online poker, though no online operators have yet launched in the state.
In contrast, West Virginia has not yet regulated online poker. The state’s laws include vague statutes and definitions of gambling that leave the game in a legal gray area. It could be several years before the first virtual hands are dealt in the Mountain State. This is a result of the state’s anti-gambling politics and its resistance to changing the law.
Sites to play
If you play poker for real money, you should stick with regulated online poker sites. These offer the best security protocols and protect your money and account information from fraudsters. These sites also have a robust customer service department to help you solve any problems that may arise.
In addition to secure gaming, reputable online poker sites offer a variety of banking methods for depositing and withdrawing funds. Look for a site that accepts your preferred payment method, and check its available limits and minimum and maximum withdrawal amounts. Some methods allow you to add and remove money instantly, while others may take a few days.
Licensed online poker sites adhere to strict state regulations, which ensure that your personal information and account funds are safe. In addition, they use geolocation software to make sure players are located within their legal jurisdiction.
Signing up
Signing up for online poker is a relatively easy process. Most regulated sites offer a variety of banking methods that can be used to deposit and withdraw funds. These options include credit cards, pre-paid cards, bank transfers and e-checks. Most sites also provide a mobile application that allows players to play on the go.
Ignition Poker offers a great number of real money poker games. It also features many tournaments, including the monthly Milly Millions with a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million. The site also offers anonymous table gaming, which is something that many players, especially seasoned professionals, crave these days. Moreover, the site is safe and secure. It meets strict licensing, technology and regulatory requirements to ensure that your information is protected.
Depositing money
In most cases, depositing money into your poker account is a quick and easy process. All you need to do is visit the cashier and enter your banking details. Most poker sites accept Visa and MasterCard, as well as popular e-wallets like Neteller. Skrill is a secure online payment solution that allows players to transfer funds quickly and easily. It’s a great option for high rollers, as it offers higher limits than other payment methods.
E-wallets are a good fit for poker because they are designed for sending and receiving money over the Internet. They also offer fast processing times and high transaction limits, which make them ideal for high-rollers. In addition, some sites have started to offer prepaid cards that can be used to fund your poker account.
Tournaments
Online poker tournaments offer players the opportunity to compete for a predetermined prize pool without ever leaving their homes. These tournaments can be played for free or at a fee and offer a variety of prizes including satellite entries into live events.
Multi table tournaments (MTTs) begin at a set time and consist of a large number of tables where players play until they lose all their chips. The player with the most chips at the end of the tournament wins the event.
Some tournaments include a bounty element where players receive a cash prize for knocking out a player at their table. This is a popular variation of the MTT and can be found in freezeout, turbo and hyper-turbo tournaments. These tournaments are very fast paced and require players to adopt new strategies.