Online poker takes the traditional game of card and dice and cranks it up to a whole new level. Players can compete for free or play for the smallest stakes possible (literally pennies) to win satellite entries into live tournaments around the world. Players can also play for the biggest prizes in the game including multi-million dollar cash rewards and huge amounts of television time. Online poker is a great way to kill some spare time or get a little excitement without having to travel anywhere.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing an online poker room is whether or not the site is regulated in your jurisdiction. This is vital because it means that your money is safe and that the games are fair. Rogue employees and rigged games are very rare and most reputable sites will have a solid track record.
Once you find a reputable site that is licensed in your jurisdiction you will want to check out the games offered. Most online poker rooms will have a lobby that is categorized by cash games, tournaments and sit & go’s. The lobbies will usually have a quick start option that is designed for new players to make it easy to start playing. You will be able to choose the type of game you want to play, the stakes you would like to play and you can instantly be seated.
Most online poker rooms will have a beginner table option as well. This will allow you to be seated with other players that have classified themselves as beginners and this can dramatically level the playing field for new players. This is a great way to get your feet wet in the game of poker and learn the rules of play before you move up to the bigger tables.
Another key feature of any good online poker room is the ability to use a poker HUD (heads-up display). This is an amazing piece of software that will help you to exploit your opponents and it will save you a lot of time at the table. You will be able to assign hotkeys, manage waiting lists, preselect bet sizes and much more. This poker software is a must-have for anyone that plays more than a few tables at a time.
There has been a lot of talk about the future of multi-state regulated online poker in the United States but at this point it looks like there is not a huge amount that can be done. It may take a while for New Jersey to be able to join the compact with Nevada and Delaware but once that happens it could be a big boost for the game.