Online poker has a long and varied history. It was first played in the late 1990s in the form of IRC poker. It is a highly competitive game and a lot of money can be lost or won at the table. However, it was not until 2003 that a player named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event. This single act revolutionized the online poker world.
There are plenty of sites that are out there, but only a handful are licensed. These sites are monitored and checked by government bodies to ensure security and fair play. They also have to abide by strict regulations that limit their risk taking with client funds.
There are also a few other reputable websites that have been in business for many years. For example, there was the first online poker room to offer real-money games back in 1998. That site was Planet Poker. Eventually, it went bankrupt and never recovered the $480,000 in debt it owed players. But in the process, it made a name for itself and became one of the most popular sites in the industry. In the meantime, other sites such as PokerStars, Full Tilt and Absolute Poker continued to operate in the U.S.
The most dependable website will have a variety of deposit options. Some will allow you to transfer funds directly from your bank account, while others will convert your funds to a variety of currencies. Most US-based sites will accept e-checks, wire transfers, and third party eWallets. Those of you with a checking account will be glad to know that a large number of them are even accepting checks in the mail.
While not technically legal, some US-based online poker sites will also allow you to download their software on your computer. If you choose to go this route, be sure to take note of the download speed. Since your computer may be running on an old-school connection, you may have to wait a while for the software to download.
If you decide to go with an online poker site, you’ll need to get a social security number and some personal information. A site may also ask for proof of identity, like a driver’s license or utility bill.
If you’re going to do any of these things, it is a good idea to use an IRS IP PIN to keep your account safe. Not only can you protect yourself from hackers and identity thieves, but you’ll also save yourself from a potential tax return fraud.
Other notable features of a good online poker site are: a free poker training site, a generous bonus program, and a large user base. You can also find more intimate poker communities with smaller regional sites. To get started, you’ll need to sign up for a poker site and download their software.
The best part of playing poker on the internet is that you can play from home. You can play at multiple tables at the same time, which is impossible in most casinos. Moreover, you can take advantage of the random number generation process to ensure that you’re dealt a solid hand.