Online poker has changed beyond recognition in recent years. It used to be a male-dominated game played in smoky back rooms for big money, but these days all the leading sites know they need to appeal to the widest possible range of players. So, they feature games for every level, blogs about strategy and offer a whole host of free online poker tools and resources to help players improve their understanding of the game.
A good poker site will have an excellent variety of games to choose from and a user-friendly cashier. They will also provide a number of secure payment methods, including e-wallets and cards. The leading sites will be fully licensed and regulated by gaming authorities in their home countries, too, so players can be confident of a fair and safe experience.
Some people prefer to play online poker on a laptop or PC, and there are some advantages to doing so. The large screen size will allow players to see all the action clearly and a keyboard and mouse can make it easier to control the game. Using multiple screens is also proven to increase productivity in the workplace so it should come as no surprise that many professional online poker players have set up their own multi-screen setups.
Another advantage of playing online poker on a desktop or laptop is that it gives the player plenty of space to indulge in multiple tables at once. This can be a useful skill in Sit & Go and Multi-Table tournaments where it’s important to maximise your chances of winning by making the most of every opportunity. The software will also usually include a replayer which is a great way to learn from your mistakes and improve your game.
However, there are also plenty of people who play poker online successfully on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The main thing is that the device must be able to support a decent wi-fi connection and have enough memory available to download the software. Most online poker sites also offer a no-download version of their poker software, although this does tend to have less functionality and features.
When it comes to finding a good poker site, players should look for one that offers a high percentage sign-up bonus. This can be up to 200% of a player’s first deposit. In order to claim this the player must create a new account and meet any requirements such as minimum deposits, wagering requirements or age restrictions.
Most legitimate poker sites also have clear and concise terms and conditions. If a website’s terms are too long or complicated then this is probably not a good sign. Finally, all legitimate poker sites will carry out a background check on new players to ensure they are of legal age to play in their jurisdiction. In some cases, this may include a credit or debit card check and verification of address. If a player fails these checks they should not be allowed to play poker for real money.