Poker is a fun, intellectual, thrilling game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. Online poker is a massively popular version of the game that can be played at any time, for as long as you wish, and at whatever stakes you desire from the comfort of your home.
Aside from the ease and convenience of playing poker online, there are a number of other factors that make it a great choice. One big reason is that many poker sites offer lucrative bonuses to new players. These bonus offers typically come in the form of free chips or cash that you can use to play with. The amount you can receive varies from poker site to poker site but the average is around $100 in free play money.
Another major reason for online poker’s popularity is that it is relatively safe to play. While there are still a few things to keep in mind, most poker sites have extensive security measures in place to protect their customers’ financial information. These measures include encryption, firewalls, and random password protection. They also have live customer support staff that can answer your questions and help you troubleshoot if needed.
Most of the biggest poker sites offer multiple different ways to play poker online. Some of these options are available at all of their poker rooms, while others are exclusive to certain sites. The two most common types of poker games are cash games and tournaments. The majority of the players that play poker online opt for the cash game format because it allows them to play whenever they want and they don’t have to commit to an 8 hour long session like a tournament.
The rake is another important factor when choosing an online poker room to play at. The rake is how much the operator or house collects on each pot. It is usually between 3 and 4.25%. You should always check the rake percentage on any poker room that you are considering playing at before making a deposit.
When I first started learning poker back in 2004 during the era of the “Moneymaker Boom” there were only a few poker forums worth visiting, a couple of good pieces of software to learn with, and a limited number of books that were worth reading. Today the landscape is completely different. There is a virtually unlimited number of poker forums to join, hundreds of poker software programs to choose from, and a never ending list of books to read.
One of the most exciting developments in the online poker world is the advent of legalized poker in states. The first state to approve online poker was Nevada in June of 2011 and since then several other states have followed suit, including Delaware, New Jersey, and most recently, California. These states are allowing their residents to play poker for real money, and they are growing in number each day. This is a huge step in the right direction for online poker in the US and will surely lead to more and more people discovering how much they enjoy this fantastic game.
