To play online poker, you need to download poker software. This requires a small amount of memory and should take only a few minutes, even if you’re using an archaic connection. If you’re not sure whether you’d like to download poker software, there are several sites offering no-download poker games. However, they lack the same features as the full-download versions. Depending on your preference, you can play poker at either option.
Internet poker is not for everyone. Most internet poker rooms are based outside the United States, where laws may be different from your own. You need to research the legality of playing poker before playing online. Unless you’re sure you’re legal, it’s best to play at well-established, larger poker sites. If you’re playing for real money, however, it’s crucial to play only at sites that are regulated by your home country.
Some countries have regulated online poker. Among the first to do so was Nevada, which passed its law in February 2013. The Gaming Commission began drafting regulations in December 2011, just a month after the DOJ’s decision. However, the SEC ultimately ended the investigation without finding any fault. In the meantime, the industry remains unregulated in many countries. Therefore, the legality of online poker is a hot topic in many places. You can find online poker sites that are completely legal in your state. If you don’t like the rules, you can always opt for an offshore site.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey were the last states to legalize online poker, though more are likely to follow. Revenues from online poker in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania are significant and will likely grow. As more states regulate online poker, more states will be connected through a multi-state network of sites. And that’s great news for online poker. The Internet is no longer just for people who live in California. And it’s now legal in Michigan and West Virginia.
However, US-based online poker may never reach the same popularity levels as their international counterparts. It’s unlikely that the US would ever see the same level of growth as during the poker boom, and its players would not be able to share the same tables with players in India or China. In fact, some European countries are just beginning to share player pools. So, it’s important to make sure that you find a site that meets the requirements for your country.
As for rigged online poker games, the game itself is a complicated issue. Many players are keen investigators. There are forums dedicated to this subject, such as TwoPlusTwo, where you can read threads about Absolute Poker cheating and Mike Postle. Such sites don’t use physical cards and have no human dealers. In addition, they’re more expensive to run than the average online poker site. But if the game is rigged, it’s unlikely to make the company any money.