Whether you want to play for free or make a small deposit and build a bankroll, online poker is a great way to enjoy the game. It’s also a great way to learn new things, work on your mistakes, and improve your skills.
The first step to playing online is to sign up for a poker account at a licensed and regulated website. The site will ask you for personal information such as your name, address, and email address. Once you have this, you can begin playing for real money.
How To Get Started
It’s easy to get started at an online poker site, and most of them will offer a free no-deposit bonus to entice new players. These bonuses can range from a few dollars to tens of thousands. However, it’s important to check the terms and conditions of these offers before signing up.
Online poker is an increasingly popular activity, and many sites offer a variety of games. These include traditional Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, and Stud games, as well as specialty variants that aren’t found anywhere else. Some even offer live tournaments.
Rakeback
Every poker room has a different approach to rakeback. Some will pay you back a percentage of your total contribution, while others will pay you through a points system that you can use to buy cash or other rewards. Some of these programs will also give you a VIP level, which will offer even more rewards.
Tracking Your Results
Keeping track of your sessions is important for any poker player, but it’s especially useful for tracking your game performance at online poker. You can use this information to identify your winning and losing streaks and spot patterns in your play. This can help you determine which strategy is best for your bankroll.
Legality of Online Poker
The laws regarding gambling in the United States vary by state. Some states have banned online poker, while others have only allowed it to be regulated in their jurisdictions. In New Jersey, for example, online poker is regulated by the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDE).
Four other states have also legalized the practice, including Pennsylvania and Michigan. But a fifth state, West Virginia, is still waiting for its first hands to be dealt.
In the meantime, it’s still possible to find reputable sites that accept players from the US. You can search for US-regulated sites using our list of the top legal and regulated US poker websites below, or visit our US-based poker directory. In addition to legal and regulated US-based sites, there are also many offshore sites that do not fall under any US laws or regulations.