A few decades ago poker was only played in the back of smoky bars and casinos but online poker has taken it to a whole new level. Now you can play for real money from anywhere in the world on your desktop computer, tablet or mobile device. Players can compete for freerolls, satellite entries into the biggest live tournaments in the world and even multi-million dollar prizes.
Most regulated online poker sites offer a safe and secure environment with 128 or 256-bit SSL encryption to protect player data. Often they have games and random number generators audited by independent third parties to make sure the results are fair and not rigged in their favor. They also typically have a solid reputation for prompt payouts and great customer service.
Signing up for an account at an online poker site is easy and usually involves submitting a government-issued ID or utility bill to verify a player’s identity and address. A player can then fund their account by making a deposit using one of the many safe and popular methods like bank transfers or eWallets.
Once a player has their account open they can access the games through the lobby. The lobby is generally categorized by the type of game a player is looking for. This will include cash games, tournaments and sit & go’s as well as any special format games the poker site runs. A good poker room will also have a “beginner” tab for new players who want to be seated at tables with other players who classify themselves as beginners. This helps level the playing field for novices and makes it much easier to win hands.
When deciding on an online poker site to use it is important to check whether they accept your preferred banking method. Ideally the poker site will allow you to deposit and withdraw with your local currency. You should also look for a website that offers plenty of customization options, including the ability to set up a table with your favorite color and table layout.
The online poker software is also crucial. It needs to be reliable and easy to use. Some of the best poker sites have built in help features and tutorials that will walk a player through how to play the game. They will also have a FAQ section that answers common questions.
Some poker players prefer to download and install a dedicated poker client while others are happy with the instant play options offered by most online poker rooms. If a player has trouble downloading a poker client they can ask for assistance from a support representative via email or live chat.
When it comes to security most online poker sites are getting better at detecting collusion and other types of fraud. They employ staff to view hand history and player patterns as well as scan player computers for unique identifiers to spot suspicious behavior. They will also use geolocation software to ensure that a player is in their licensed jurisdiction before they can play.