Online poker takes the game that you already love playing at home or in land-based casinos and cranks it up a notch. Played on a computer, tablet or mobile phone, online poker offers players the chance to play for free, or for incredibly small stakes (literally pennies) while competing for satellite entries into live tournaments all over the world. And even if you’re an experienced player, there are still opportunities for you to get involved in the biggest tournaments around.
The first step is to find a site that accepts your preferred deposit method. The best poker sites have a variety of banking options to choose from, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets and cryptocurrencies, and bank transfers. Look for a deposit and withdrawal option that works for you, and check the minimum and maximum amounts you can add and remove. Make sure to also review any fees that may be charged, as well as the time frame it takes for you to receive your funds.
Registering for an account with an online poker site is usually simple, but you’ll need to verify your identity before you can start playing for real money. This process typically involves sending a photo ID and proof of address to the site. If you’re concerned about security, check to make sure that the poker site uses top-tier encryption methods to safeguard your information.
Once you’ve registered, find the cashier section of the poker site and follow the directions to deposit your money. Then, you’ll be ready to play. You can also use the cashier to withdraw your winnings if you’d like. When it comes to legal US poker sites, you’ll want to ensure that the site is licensed by a state gaming commission and only features players from the states it covers.
There was a time when the contrast between “live” and “online” poker players was stark. Many top pros firmly believed that the former was the superior form of the game, and you’d often hear stories of them venturing into online poker and not doing so well (with some complaining that the game wasn’t “real” poker). Nowadays, though, the two forms of the game tend to cross over more than ever before. You’ll see some of the same players at major events in both online and live poker. But there are still some distinct differences, especially in how players approach their betting and chip handling and their knowledge of game etiquette.