There are many different variations of online poker. If you want to play for real money, you can choose a screen name and register on a licensed site. If you’re a complete newbie, you should practice at low stakes before moving up to high stakes. There are several reasons for this. First of all, you can play for free. If you win, you can always get a refund. Second, you can’t lose more money than you put in.
In 2006, when online poker first emerged, there was a complete lack of regulation. The first attempt to outlaw the industry was the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, part of the SAFE Port Act. The bill was passed without a single senator reading the final text. This meant that no state could ban online gambling, and UIGEA did not have the support of most senators. The full text of the bill can be read here.
Aside from licensing, online poker sites offer different ways to reward players. Some sites offer free bonus chips and other promotions. Bonus chips are a great way to make sure you’re getting a decent deal on a new game. Another advantage of online poker is that you can play with multiple people at once. You can compare the differences between different games. As long as you’re comfortable with the rules of the game, you’ll have no problem playing at the table.