Online poker is a card game that can be played on any computer, tablet or smartphone. It’s easy to play and offers a variety of games. It’s also a great way to win satellite entries to big tournaments.

Signing up for an account is quick and simple. You’ll need to provide personal information such as your address and date of birth. You’ll also need to choose a screen name.

Legality

Online poker is legal in the states that regulate it. California, for example, does not permit real money games, but it has tried to introduce legislation that would allow players to use social and sweepstakes poker sites. However, the efforts have stalled because of concerns about federal preemption.

It is also important to note that the UIGEA explicitly excludes skill-based games. This suggests that if the court decides that sports betting is not covered by this law, then the same could be true for online poker. This will significantly increase the potential market for regulated sites. However, it is unclear when this will happen.

Sites to play

Online poker sites offer a wide range of games. Some operate on their own and others belong to a larger poker network. These networks team up to share player pools and promote tournaments. Licensed real money poker operators follow strict regulations to ensure the safety of players’ funds.

Choosing an online poker site depends on your needs. You should consider whether you prefer cash games or tournaments. Cash games allow you to play whenever you want and are usually free from the time restrictions of tournaments.

The best online poker sites feature a variety of betting options. Most offer Texas hold’em, but some also feature pot-limit Omaha and traditional 7-card stud.

Signing up

When you sign up for online poker, you must choose a screen name and password. Most sites require this information to verify your identity and prevent multi-accounting, which is prohibited by most poker rooms. Some sites also require you to provide a utility bill or other documents to confirm your address.

Online poker offers a wide variety of games and stakes, from freeroll tournaments to major live events. Its popularity is growing, especially since New Jersey joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, allowing players to compete with other state residents. This will lead to higher tournament buy-ins and bigger prize pools. This is a great way to increase revenue for regulated online poker operators.

Depositing money

Many poker sites offer a variety of deposit options for players. In the United States, these include credit cards, eWallets such as MuchBetter and Skrill, bank wires and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The majority of these are available to players who live in states where regulated online poker is legal.

Using these methods is usually as easy as making any other online transaction. All a player has to do is log into their poker account and navigate to the cashier section. From there, they can select their preferred deposit method and follow the instructions to complete the deposit. The process is typically free of charge but some methods may have small fees.

Limits on pot-limit games

When playing poker in a pot limit game players may only bet as much as the amount of chips that are currently in the pot when it is their turn to act. This betting structure allows players to concentrate on reading opponents and maximizing their winnings. It also makes it easier to calculate pot odds.

Players must purchase a full buy-in before they can play in a pot limit game. The buy in is generally 10 times the maximum bet for the game. However, players can add to their stacks between hands. This is called a short buy-in. This is a common practice in online poker.

Betting intervals

Poker is one of the few games that allow players to wager money against strangers. While many people enjoy playing poker, some get too emotionally invested and end up losing their entire bankroll. Many of these losses come from bad beats. It is important to learn to view these losses as a part of the game and not a sign that you should quit the game.

Online poker games move at a much faster pace than live games. This can be a big adjustment for new players. Moreover, online players are subject to a clock that can force them to make a decision in a short amount of time.