Online poker is a game of skill that is played from the comfort of your home using your computer, mobile phone or tablet. It’s an exciting game that blurs the lines between live and virtual gambling, allowing you to play for any stakes from free to the highest limit games. It’s a fun and easy game to learn, rewarded with real cash for winning hands. It also rewards actual skill, unlike slots or the lottery.
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a huge number of recreational players that normally prefer to play at live venues into online poker sites, driving traffic up by double or more over recent averages. This increase in traffic has also led to more high rollers coming online. The result has been a surge in online poker action with many operators reporting record levels of cash games and tournaments.
Aside from the obvious convenience and ease of playing poker from a desktop computer or mobile device, the fact that most online poker websites offer a variety of deposit methods makes them very popular with players. This is particularly true for players from the United States, where there are several good options to choose from. Choosing the right site for your needs is important because you want to be sure that it’s legal in your jurisdiction. Checking for a license issued by your state gaming commission is one way to ensure this. You should also avoid sites that use “fenced-in markets” to restrict player traffic to players from certain countries.
When selecting a site for your online poker play, look for the best welcome bonuses and recurring promotions. These can be lucrative for players and help them build up their bankrolls. The best online poker sites also provide fast payouts and customer support that’s available around the clock.
Another important aspect of online poker is the software. The best poker sites will have software that is easy to download to Windows, Mac OS and Linux computers and a native app for smartphones. The software will allow players to play up to 24 tables at a time (4 on phones) and has features like ACR reshuffle, auto top-ups, capped tables and multi-table functionality.
Once you’ve found a reputable online poker site, you’ll need to create an account and fund it. Generally you’ll have to provide some personal information and a valid ID, to ensure that you’re over the age of 18. The site will then verify your identity and process your deposit. You’ll then be able to access the poker room and begin playing.
In addition to credit and debit cards, many online poker sites accept cheques as a form of payment. This method of payment keeps your transactions offline and away from potential online threats, but it does take more time to process the deposits and withdrawals. In addition, most sites require players to make a minimum deposit amount before they can use the cheque option. However, this is an excellent way to make small deposits and test out the software without risking too much money.