Online Poker in the US
To start playing online poker, you must first download the poker software. This requires only a small amount of memory and shouldn’t take too long, even if you have an old computer and slow connection. Most poker sites have no-download versions of their software, but they don’t give you all the features of the full download version.
One great feature of online poker is that you can easily multi-table. This can be very beneficial when you are waiting for good cards. You can open two tables at once, allowing you to focus on making a good hand and double your profit. Online poker is more convenient and more affordable than live poker, so you can afford to play multiple tables.
Several states have legalized online poker, including New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. Many more states are likely to follow suit soon. It’s not easy to be a legal online poker player in the United States, but you can still get started. The US government has a long way to go, but there are plenty of legal places to play online.
A key part of online poker success is the ability to attract new players. Many major online poker sites offer special features to lure new players. Some major sites offer satellite tournaments that give winners entry to real-life poker tournaments. For example, Chris Moneymaker won an online satellite and went on to win the 2003 World Series of Poker. This caused a sensation throughout the poker world. The 2004 World Series of Poker had three times the number of participants than the 2003 tournament. Four players were able to enter through an online cardroom. Among those were eventual winner Greg Raymer.
Currency is another important factor when choosing an online poker site. Many players in the US choose to play in their local currency. This helps them avoid conversion problems and allows them to withdraw funds in US dollars. In addition, some sites also accept payments in currencies other than the US dollar. By using different currencies, you can play online poker and avoid problems relating to currency conversion.
The US has a few licensed online poker sites, though the number is increasing. Many of these sites accept credit cards, debit cards, and e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller. PayPal is not available for the US market, so US players should use a different method to pay for their online poker games.
Another factor that can impact your experience playing online poker is the software. If the software is unstable, it can make the game frustrating. Having good software is important for smooth gameplay, especially during bad streaks. Many early online poker sites experienced problems with software instability. However, these issues are much less common now with advanced downloadable software.