If you’re interested in online poker, the first step is to download the appropriate poker software. These programs take up a small amount of memory on your computer, and should not take up a large portion of your computer’s speed. Many online poker sites offer no-download versions of their games, which do not include all of the features of a download version. However, you can use no-download poker games to learn the ins and outs of the game.
While the deposit limits for online poker vary between sites, most allow deposits of $5 to $20. However, you can deposit hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you’d like to. A deposit can clear within seconds, hours, or even days. That’s plenty of time to practice your skills before taking on the big leagues. However, there are some basic rules that you should know before making a deposit. Make sure you check these rules carefully before deciding which poker site to join.
While online poker is not completely legal in the United States, it has been around for decades. It began in the late 1990s, but was primarily unregulated until Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker in 2003. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) eventually forced several sites out of the U.S. market, though some websites like PokerStars remained open to U.S. players for a few years.
New York’s pending laws on online poker are not all that far off. The Supreme Court’s recent decision in the Atlantic City case in 2011 allowed states to regulate online poker. However, the U.S. Department of Justice is yet to approve a legal New York online poker site. While the decision is uncertain, the legislation could lead to a massive shift in the industry. And it could even lead to the legalization of online gambling.
There are also other hurdles to overcome before legalizing online poker. Several states have passed legislation allowing online poker, but it is still unclear if these laws will lead to a complete ban on online poker in the U.S. As of today, it is only in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania that online poker is legal. But this list will only grow as more states pass legislation to regulate online poker. So, as more states make their laws more liberal, legalizing poker should soon become easier.
Before playing, you should know your starting hands. For example, a 6-5 diamond hand might have a straight flush possibility, while a 9-J hand has a straight flush chance. You can improve your online poker strategy by understanding the ranking of starting hands. As an example, the A-8 is a pair of eights with an ace kicker, but a pair of kings or a set of twos and an ace can beat them.
