Poker is a game that rewards real skill unlike slots and the lottery and it’s a fun, easy to play card game you can enjoy for any stakes you want from the comfort of your own home. Online poker is a safe and highly regulated activity in states that permit it. You can sign up for a real money account easily using your mobile phone, tablet or computer and you can deposit and withdraw funds with a wide variety of options including credit cards, pre-paid cards, bank transfers, third party eWallets as well as traditional wire transfers.
While many players have a hard time transitioning from live poker to online, it’s actually much easier than they think. It’s a different animal altogether and there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, start small and build up gradually. You can find a huge range of poker games and limits online from micro-stakes all the way up to high-roller action and everything in between. The important thing is to learn how to play the game before you try to go all out and win big.
Second, understand that online poker is a faster and more intense game than live poker. The average online table deals hands about three times as fast as a live one and there are even “fast-fold” games where the pace can be up to 12 times faster. This is an adjustment for newcomers who are used to playing at a leisurely pace and it’s very easy to burn out if you overextend yourself too early.
Third, remember that online poker players are generally more skilled than their live counterparts. This is due to the fact that they can play a lot more hands than live players, they have access to statistical software and other tools to help them hone their skills and finally, they are able to play in a number of different markets without the restrictions of state or country-based ring-fencing (i.e., players from a certain country or region can only play against other players from the same jurisdiction).
The COVID-19 pandemic is thought to have sent a large percentage of professional and recreational players who usually prefer live poker straight to online platforms. This has led to some operators reporting record traffic levels during this period.
As a result, some US states that have previously limited their licenses to online gambling are now considering opening up multi-state poker. While this isn’t guaranteed to happen, the clearer legal clarity that the Trump administration has given regarding the Wire Act may make it more appealing for states to regulate interstate poker. Nevertheless, it’s still too soon to know exactly what the future of poker looks like in the USA but the prospects are positive.