If you’re new to online poker, the first thing you need to know is that you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 15 million people play for real money online each year, making it around 2.5% of the total adult population. What’s even better is that you can play multiple tables at once, and some sites allow up to 40 tables. That’s a lot more than you can do offline. In addition, you can play a wide variety of different games, including holdem, omaha, and tournaments. No matter what you prefer, you’ll always find a game to join.
There are three major online poker networks. PokerStars, BetMGM, and the World Series of Poker are among the most popular ones. The latter operates in two states – New Jersey and Pennsylvania – while the former offers interstate online poker in four states. However, the majority of online poker traffic is centered on a small handful of networks.
Whether you’re new to online poker or have plenty of experience, it’s important to start out at low stakes. The reason is that they are low enough to let you learn the ins and outs of the game, and you can also get the feel for the game. In addition to this, many poker sites offer beginners-only tables for new customers for about thirty days after setting up their account. Since there are no experienced players playing at these levels, you’ll be free from other players’ tactics.
Limits are also lower at online poker sites than in brick-and-mortar casinos. Because of the lower cost of setting up an online poker table, online poker rooms can afford to offer smaller limits than in traditional casinos. Many offer limits as low as $.01 or even less, which is much lower than the $1-$2 range at brick-and-mortar casinos.
While some states have made real money online poker illegal, there are also a few exceptions to this rule. Several offshore online poker sites are fully licensed and safe for US-based players. However, most states are not yet ready to make the decision to allow poker in their state. In the meantime, you can enjoy a game of poker at a time that is convenient for you. You’ll also be able to access a wide variety of friendly stakes on many websites.
Poker tournaments are the most popular form of online poker. Some sites offer daily tournaments and weekly tournaments, but the $100K Guaranteed is a top Sunday major in the US. Every Sunday, at 4PM ET, the winner of the $100K Guaranteed tournament wins $17,000. In addition, Global Poker runs a number of popular tournament series, with prize pools that are high.
While there are several states where online poker is legal, most states require a brick-and-mortar casino license in order to offer online poker. Currently, five states have legalized online poker. You can read more about the legality of online poker in the United States at the Poker Legality Guide.