The first hand of online poker was dealt in 1998. Twenty-three years later, this industry is still thriving, with millions of hands dealt daily. Since then, the industry has experienced a number of ups and downs, with Black Friday and the UIGEA being the most prominent setbacks. However, more states are legalizing online poker, and there have been several examples of successful states’ efforts. Here are a few of them:
Poker sites are licensed by various jurisdictions, which require them to adhere to the highest standards and legislation. Popular jurisdictions for online poker include the Isle of Man, Malta, and Curacao. Kahnawake in Canada is another example of a legitimate online poker site. For deposits, you can use your credit card, which is widely accepted. However, be aware of any complaints about payments taking a long time. Furthermore, online poker sites with lots of comments from pro grinders are a red flag.
While playing online poker for real money is not as fun as playing in a live casino, it does have its benefits. Online poker is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can play at any time of the day for any stakes you choose. What’s more, playing for real money forces you to apply basic strategy. This includes thinking about your position, calculating pot odds, assigning ranges, and using other strategic tools.
Online poker in Nevada is legal in Nevada, which is one of the three states that have an interstate compact for online gambling. The other two states are Delaware and New Jersey. This compact was signed before the DOJ created the Wire Act situation. Due to the repercussions, states have been hesitant to engage in online poker. Fortunately, Nevada is one of the few states to have signed such an agreement. You can sign up now if you’re an American citizen and wish to play poker for real money.
Another important factor in online poker is software stability. Stability is essential for a good online poker experience and it’s frustrating when your luck runs out. Early online poker sites had issues with unstable software. However, today’s modern downloadable software is better able to avoid such problems. But no download versions of poker don’t offer the same features as the full-download versions. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sign up for instant play if it’s available.
While online poker is legal in some states, it’s still not regulated in every jurisdiction. Michigan and West Virginia have passed laws to regulate online poker. While West Virginia has yet to launch an online poker site, there’s no doubt that it will soon be legal in every state. In the meantime, US players can play poker for real money with confidence and excitement. This industry is growing fast, and many Americans are already enjoying the fun of playing online.
If you want to learn more about poker strategy, check out a few books and online poker training sites. Depending on the level of experience, some of these training sites charge an annual fee, while others are free. But these can get expensive, so beginners should stick to free resources. If they’re not enough, then you can consider upgrading to the RunItOnce video databases, which are packed with the best videos from top poker pros.