Poker Online exploded in popularity after a Tennessee accountant named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event, thanks to TV coverage that sold millions of Americans on the game. The game has continued to grow since then, as regulators jump through hoops to get the game up and running in more states.
A good poker site offers a secure environment for playing, depositing and withdrawing funds. This includes SSL encryption technology and a number of other security measures to keep player information safe. Regulated and reliable poker sites also feature customer support options for players who need to reach out with a question or problem.
When looking for a new poker room to join, it’s important to check out the variety of games offered and tournaments available. Generally, you can expect to find all of the most popular poker variants like Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo, plus a selection of specialty games like razz, seven card stud and crazy pineapple. You can also look for a variety of tournament formats, including sit and go’s and spin and go’s (which are three-player tournaments that have players spinning a wheel before the start of play for a portion of their buy-in).
Another key factor is checking to see whether the poker site is licensed to operate within your state’s jurisdiction. Many legal US poker sites use “fenced-in” markets to ensure that only players from the states where they’re regulated can play. This helps to protect against offshore operators that don’t follow the proper gaming laws.