A simple card game played over the internet, online poker has become an increasingly popular pastime. This is mainly due to its relative ease and convenience, which makes it an appealing choice for players looking for a way to have fun without leaving the comforts of home. There are plenty of sites out there offering free games, so there is no need to spend a fortune to get in on the action. However, winning real money is a big draw.
The most popular table is probably the Texas Hold’em (Texas Holdem) game, but you can find games ranging from Omaha to Seven Card Stud. Among the biggest names in online poker are PokerStars, BetMGM and Partypoker. Each offers a wide variety of cash game and tournament options. Some of these sites even offer side games against “the house” for real money.
To play a hand of poker, you’ll need to download an appropriate poker software application. You can find versions that run on desktop computers, mobile devices, or tablets. When you are playing, you will usually be required to enter your name and address, along with a social security number. Many sites also ask for additional documentation to verify your identity, such as a utility bill.
Among the more notable online poker features are the ability to play more tables at once. Some sites offer satellite entries into live poker tournaments. It’s possible to play a hand of poker from your home office or on your smartphone, and some sites offer freeroll tournaments to entice newbies.
Another fun tidbit is that some sites allow you to pay for your deposit in different currencies. Some sites require you to convert your funds to US dollars, and some will only take US dollars. But some sites go the extra mile and will convert your deposits to other currencies at a lower cost than banks.
Similarly, many of the best poker websites will notify you when it’s your turn to act. Depending on the website you use, you may be able to play for as little as $0.01/$0.02 in a cash game. If you’re interested in tournaments, you can join in the fun at BetMGM, where you’ll be able to participate in over 70 tournaments every day.
Another cool gizmo is a software application that tells you which cards to discard. Most of these applications are free, and are available to all of the major poker networks. One of the more advanced types of software will automatically identify your hands and advise you to throw away any cards that don’t match your hand.
On the regulatory front, Nevada and Delaware were the first to pass legislation. Eventually, states such as New Jersey and Michigan followed suit. These states are the ones to watch for future regulatory changes. In the short term, the state of California is considering whether or not to join the MSIGA, which will allow licensed operators to combine their player pools.