Internet poker has existed in the United States for decades. The first websites opened for business in the late 90’s, and the unregulated market flourished after Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 victory. In 2006, however, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act prohibited most sites from offering services to U.S. players, but PokerStars remained open to players in the United States for several years. Today, online poker is regulated in some states, but it remains unregulated in others.
The Internet offers many benefits to online poker players. While you don’t have to have a high level of skill to play online poker, you can still enjoy its fun and excitement. For example, you can participate in tournaments and win real cash prizes. Moreover, online poker offers you the chance to interact with top-class poker players without even leaving the comfort of your home. With so many games available, you’re sure to find a game that suits your playing style.
Legality: As of January 1, 2018, online poker is legal in all 50 states, except West Virginia. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but overall, online poker in the US is regulated in the following states: Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These three states paved the way for legal online poker sites. In addition to Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia have also regulated online poker in the US. Although no online poker sites have launched in these states yet, they are expected to do so in the future.
Beginners are best served by playing poker at low stakes. This is because the stakes are low enough to learn the rules and tactics. Many of these sites offer beginners-only tables. New customers can play these tables for up to 30 days after creating an account. In these tables, amateurs are able to play without concern of being spotted by better players. There’s no harm in playing online poker for fun, but be sure to read the fine print before you sign up for any casino.
Regulations for online poker sites limit the amount of risk operators can take with their clients’ money. Because of this, most US online poker apps ask players’ permission to install geolocation software on their devices. While geolocation software is not a big deal in and of itself, it allows online poker operators to track players’ locations and ensure that they are playing in the right jurisdiction. By law, US-based online poker sites are required to keep this information private.
Ignition Poker is one of the best options for US players. The site hosts a range of daily tournaments and the top Sunday major, the $100K Guaranteed Tournament. This tournament takes place every Sunday at 4PM ET and pays out at least $17,000. Ignition is also popular in Europe, where players can play poker against real people. If you are a new player, you may want to avoid the shark-filled waters that are the norm in Europe.