The world of online poker can seem intimidating at first, but once you learn the rules and how to play, you’ll find it to be a fun, rewarding hobby that provides hours of entertainment. If you are new to poker, we suggest that you start out in the free lobbies until you feel comfortable enough to move up to real money games. Then set limits for your sessions and stick to them. This way you can ensure that your poker playing is a fun, not a costly addiction.
The regulated online poker market is still growing in the United States and we will be keeping you up to date with major developments as they happen. We will cover upcoming markets, legislation, and also provide information on the major players in the industry.
In the early days of regulated online poker, there was a flurry of activity in several states as they passed laws to allow players to play within their borders. Initially Nevada and Delaware were the only two states that regulated the industry, but they later signed an interstate agreement with each other and New Jersey joined them, creating a multi-state gaming compact (MSIGA).
This allowed them to share player pools and open up the potential for more revenue streams for operators. Unfortunately, this did not last long as the DOJ began trying to enforce the Wire Act against interstate gambling agreements and stifled growth in the industry.
Fortunately, things are beginning to look up and the future looks bright for multi-state regulated online poker. More states are considering regulating the game and New Jersey is expected to join the MSIGA soon, bringing in a much larger population base that should increase traffic for operators.
Before you can begin to play poker online for real money, you must register with a licensed website. These sites are regulated by government and financial bodies to ensure game integrity, safe transfers of funds, and privacy for players. They must also follow strict regulations governing how they handle customer service and complaints.
Once you are registered with an approved site, depositing and withdrawing is very easy. Most reputable sites accept a variety of credit and debit cards, pre-paid cards, third-party eWallets, and even wire transfers. Withdrawal methods are just as varied with some sites allowing players to cash out via PayPal, Neteller, and Bitcoin. Some sites even offer paper checks for a small fee.
There are many different ways to play poker online, and the most popular is to play cash games. Cash games are more convenient than tournaments as you can play at your own pace, and you can choose how much or how little to bet each round. However, you must be aware of the rake, which is how much the operator or house collects from each pot. It usually ranges from 3 to 4.25% and is collected every time you place a bet. If you’re serious about improving your poker skills, it’s important to understand the rake before you decide to play in a cash game.