When you start playing poker online, it can be very overwhelming. There are so many poker forums, FB groups, Discord channels and books to read. It is easy to get lost in all of it.
One way to improve your game is to track your poker results. This will help you understand how to improve your game and avoid common mistakes.
Legality
After Black Friday, the US online poker market was dead for a while. Fortunately, the recent DOJ reversal of its opinion on the Wire Act has revived efforts to legalize the game in new states. This has resulted in a number of players returning to regulated sites that offer cash games and tournaments.
Legal USA online poker sites are regulated by state gaming commissions and adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines. These requirements include a photo ID, proof of address and backups of deposit methods. These measures help prevent money laundering and underage gambling and also protect player information.
Licensed online poker rooms also invest some of the player funds. This helps the site stay afloat during periods of low activity. However, players should keep in mind that this is a risky investment and should not be more than they can afford to lose. Moreover, the limits on legal online poker sites are much lower than those of live casinos.
Games offered
Many of the largest online poker sites feature games for real money. Players can choose from tournaments and cash games, ranging in stakes from micro to high. Some sites also offer a variety of different types of poker, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Stud.
Playing for real money requires more skill than playing for fun. This is because players tend to play looser when they don’t have their own money on the line. This is especially true for newcomers to the game.
When selecting an online poker site, look for a generous welcome bonus and ongoing promotions. Many top poker sites also offer rakeback, which offers players a percentage of their total rake back. The best poker sites also have helpful customer service via email, live chat and phone. Some also have FAQ pages and links to responsible gaming, a security certificate and other information. Players should also check out the poker site’s reputation on social media and other review sites.
Payment options
Online poker payment options come in a wide range and vary from country to country. In the US, for example, players can use a variety of eWallets and money transfer services. Many of these options are free to use while others charge a small fee. In addition, most poker sites have minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits.
The most popular deposit methods at online poker sites are credit and debit cards like Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. These are one of the easiest ways to deposit money into an account. Alternatively, you can use an eWallet service like PayPal or Neteller which are web-based intermediaries that allow you to move funds from your bank to your poker account and back again.
Prepaid cards like PaySafeCard and Entropay are ideal for those who want to avoid sharing their credit card details online. You can fund your account with these cards at thousands of European outlets and then make deposits instantly.
Security
When playing poker online, you want to make sure that your information and money are safe. You should only play at licensed sites that have strict security measures in place. This includes strong firewalls and encryption tools. They also use geolocation software to ensure that players are within the legal jurisdiction of the site. This prevents player collusion and game-related issues like chip dumping.
Another way to keep your money and information secure is by using a password vault. This tool will allow you to create random passwords for each poker site, and store them in a secure location. This will help to protect your account from hackers, as they can only hack one site at a time.
Some players try to cheat in online poker by ghosting their opponents. This is a form of collusion where one player gains access to another player’s account, and then plays from it. Some people use third-party screen-sharing tools to ghost, but these methods are often caught by operators and can lead to account bans.