Online poker became a massive hit in 2003 when a player named Chris Moneymaker qualified for the World Series of Poker Main Event through a $40 tournament on the internet. His win single-handedly revolutionized the game and people began taking it much more seriously. As a result, poker websites started to boom as more players flocked to them in order to play the game.
There are many different things to look out for when choosing an online poker site. For starters, it is important to check out the security of a poker site. Legitimate poker sites are highly regulated and will have strict rules to protect your personal information and funds. If a site does not seem to have these protections, it is best to steer clear of them.
Another thing to consider is what kind of banking credit cards a poker site supports. The most reputable poker sites will offer a wide range of secure deposit and withdrawal options, including traditional credit and debit cards as well as eWallets like PayPal and Neteller. Some will even accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Lastly, a poker site should have easy to understand terms and conditions that cover issues such as player safety and legality.
In addition to these considerations, it is also a good idea to find out what kind of bonuses and rewards a poker site offers. Some will give players free chips when they sign up while others will allow them to earn bonus chips through playing hands or by redeeming frequent player points. Many of these bonuses will require certain criteria to be met before they are released, so it is important to read them carefully.
Lastly, it is a good idea to find out what type of betting structure the poker site uses. This will help you decide how to play the game and what kind of strategy you should use. The betting structures will usually be listed alongside the game type in the poker lobbies. Generally, there are three types of bets in poker: Pot Limit games, Fixed Limit games and No Limit games.
Most poker sites will also have a separate tab for Sit and Go’s, Tournaments and any special format games they run. This will make it much easier to navigate the lobbies and find the games you are looking for. In addition, most poker sites will have “beginner” tables that will place you with other players who classify themselves as beginners. This will dramatically level the playing field for new players.
The quality of poker software can be a huge factor in how well you do at the tables. If the software is sluggish, buggy or difficult to use, you will not be able to play your best poker. This is why many players choose to use poker software like Ignition, which allows them to assign hotkeys, create custom table layouts, manage waiting lists and handle their time bank all from the same interface.
