Online poker has become hugely popular with millions of people playing the game every day. This is due to many factors including the ease of play, the chance to win real money and the wide variety of games available.
To get started, the first step is to download the poker software from the site of your choice. This process is relatively quick and should not be too taxing on your computer’s memory or processing power. These days there are also many mobile apps which allow you to play real money poker on the go using your iPhone or Android phone.
Once you’ve downloaded the poker client you will need to create a user account and deposit funds. This is usually done by entering your name, address, phone number and email address and creating a password. Most sites will run an age check at this point as they are required to comply with gambling laws in your jurisdiction. Once you’ve passed the age checks you can start playing.
It’s important to choose a good poker site and read reviews of the different sites before you sign up. The best online poker sites will have a large selection of games and stakes available, high payout percentages, secure banking methods and great customer support. Licensed poker sites also process thousands of secure transactions daily and are monitored by government and financial bodies to ensure that player data is safe and games are fair.
The rules of online poker are the same as those for live poker, however there are some differences. For example, online poker is played over the internet rather than in a physical casino or bar and you won’t be able to read any physical tells from your opponents (although there are still plenty of ways to size up an opponent when you’re not physically present).
Despite these differences there are still a lot of similarities between the two games. For example, both have a social element to them where you can enjoy time with friends and family while chatting and laughing at each other’s jokes. There is also a deep element to the strategy which can keep you interested as you improve and learn new strategies.
Currently, there are three states which have legalized online poker: Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey. These sites share a player pool which increases the overall number of players available for competition. The state of Pennsylvania is in the process of making their own way towards legalized online poker and may join this player pool at some point. This will increase the options for players in the region and lead to bigger prize pools and guaranteed cash prizes. In addition, most legal online poker sites accept a range of payment methods so you can easily fund your account using the method of your choice. This includes credit and debit cards, prepaid vouchers, third-party eWallets and wire transfers.