Online poker is a hugely popular game that allows players to play against real people on the internet. It’s a great way to practice your skills and build up a bankroll, but you need to choose the right site. Here are some things to consider when choosing an online poker room:
Bonuses
Poker sites often offer sign-up bonuses for new players. These can be hugely useful, especially for first-time players who need to start playing with some money to get a feel for the game.
However, it’s important to note that many of these bonuses are not released instantly. They’re normally awarded based on a combination of frequent player points and wagering requirements, so you need to ensure that you meet these requirements before being able to withdraw your bonus funds.
Rakeback
A good online poker room will offer rakeback to its players, which is free cash that they return to you as a reward for your play. This can be a massive benefit to a new player, as it can help them to build up a bankroll quickly.
Variety of Games and Stakes
Unlike in brick-and-mortar casinos, online poker offers an almost unlimited number of game types and stakes. You can even play for as little as pennies, or compete in high-stakes live tournaments.
In addition, some top poker rooms offer special promotions, like satellites to live events and freerolls with weekly prizepools. This can be a great way to build up your bankroll, and it can also act as a tacit endorsement of the poker site itself.
Security and Customer Support
While most top-tier online poker sites have excellent software, you need to ensure that they offer strong customer support in case something should go wrong. This can include instant chat options to speak with a support agent directly.
US Multi-State Online Poker
A major advantage of regulated online poker is that operators link their poker rooms together, meaning there’s more action across the entire player pool. This is also known as shared liquidity and is critical to a healthy online poker ecosystem.
Deposit and Withdrawals
Licensed poker sites process thousands of secure transactions every day. They’re monitored by government and financial bodies, ensuring safe transfers and data protection for players.
Mobile Devices
There are many top-quality online poker sites that offer full-featured poker apps for iOS and Android devices. These apps are easy to use and allow you to play from anywhere, so long as you have an internet connection.
Software and Games
Having an excellent poker client is a must-have for any online poker site, and it’s also essential that the website is compatible with your device. This means that it’s not only fast but also smooth and looks great on your screen.
Lobbies
Most poker sites have a lobby where you can view all of the different games and stakes that they offer. These range from simple cash games to multi-table tournaments and even sit and go’s. The best poker sites will have a wide selection of these types of games to keep you busy for as long as possible.