The vast majority of people are unfamiliar with the process of playing online poker, but it can be a thrilling and profitable hobby for the dedicated enthusiast. In the United States, 15 million people play online poker for real money, making up approximately 2.5% of the adult population. Online poker sites operate within the confines of regulations that limit the risks they can take with the money they collect from players. However, this does not mean that you should skip the process altogether.
Although many states have passed legislation to legalize online poker, there are still a few hurdles to overcome before playing legally. The UIGEA made it illegal for US banks to process transactions with offshore online poker sites. This has not stopped a handful of sites from accepting US players, and online poker industry has continued to grow until the UIGEA passed. In addition to legalizing online poker in the US, there are also a number of offshore online poker sites that operate legally in the country.
The first step in playing online poker is to download poker software. Most sites provide virus-free versions. Once you’ve installed the software, you’ll need to register and create an account. Then, choose a game. You can create only one account. Multi-accounting is prohibited in online poker and can result in permanent bans from the site. So, make sure you have a computer with an Internet connection to play poker online.
Another important factor to consider when playing online poker is speed. Unlike live poker, online poker games play faster than live ones. Often, a live game can take up to an hour to play, and online tables can deal 60 hands an hour or more. In addition, online poker sites often offer multi-table play, which allows players to deal more hands in a short period of time. It’s important to realize that online poker is not for everyone, and there are still some advantages and disadvantages.
If you’re just starting out in the game, you can find a soft table by playing the smallest stakes. The higher stakes tables will generally have less players, so you’ll have a better chance of winning. But remember that you should play for fun and entertainment purposes only. You may even get lucky with a progressive jackpot in some games. Moreover, online poker sites have plenty of bonuses and promotions to keep players happy.
Bovada Poker is another site to try out. It offers a 100% Poker Welcome Bonus that matches your first deposit dollar for dollar, up to $500. Bovada Poker also offers other deposit bonuses, including Bovada Casino and Bovada Sportsbook. While you’re checking out their games, you might want to try out the free play mode first to get a feel for what the site is like. You’ll be glad you did. Take advantage of this great opportunity to improve your poker game.