Poker has long been played in bars, casinos and private homes but online poker has taken the game to a whole new level. Poker sites now allow players to wager real money and play with people from all over the world.
When choosing an online poker site to play at be sure to consider the software, banking methods and customer support. You will also want to find out the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal amounts, any fees charged per transaction and how quickly you can expect a payout to be processed.
Most of the top online poker sites are very reputable and use reliable gaming software that is easy to navigate. There are also lots of great poker apps available that make playing on the go a breeze. The processing power required to run online poker is minimal and even older laptops or desktops will be able to cope with the demands of the games.
Many of the top poker sites also host live events and festivals and offer players the chance to participate in online satellites to big tournaments around the world. The likes of PokerStars, 888poker and Unibet all have packages on offer for winners of these online qualifiers that include airfare, hotel accommodation and a tournament seat.
There are no laws in the United States that ban online poker but there are some states that regulate it and require a license to operate a website. Those who wish to play in regulated markets can do so by creating an account with a recommended online poker room, depositing funds and then selecting a game or tournament to play.