Online Poker is an exciting card game that can be played at any time, anywhere and from any device. There are a wide variety of stakes to play for from free games all the way up to satellite entries into the biggest live tournaments in the world. All of this can be done from a desktop computer, laptop or even on your smart phone or tablet!
Online poker takes the fun and excitement of live poker and amplifies it. The gameplay is much faster than that of a live game and this leads to higher swings and variance in your results. Adding to this is the fact that you can play so many more hands online than in live poker and this artificially affects your overall results.
After a long dry spell that saw players cut off from the rest of the world due to Black Friday in 2011 regulated poker online started making a comeback. The first states passed laws to license operators and this was a state-by-state affair. This made it difficult for online poker to grow and become a mainstream industry.
In recent years we have seen a number of major technological advances that have helped online poker to make a comeback. One of these was the video platform Twitch which facilitated connections between players and fans. This allowed top players to interact with their followers and give tips and advice on the game. This has increased the level of engagement from poker fans and has made the game more accessible to people who wouldn’t normally play.
Another big development has been the advent of multi-state poker agreements. This has opened up the potential for huge growth in the industry as it allows players from different states to pool their resources and compete with each other. This has been a key driver for the recent increase in traffic that we have seen at many sites, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With so many more options available to players now, it’s no wonder that online poker continues to be one of the most popular forms of online gambling. However, if you’re looking for a reputable site to join then it is important to take the time to do your research. This can be done by reading reviews on a site’s home page or by using an independent third party review website such as PokerListings.
Most reputable poker sites will offer some kind of sign up bonus to attract new customers. These can range from free $10 bonuses all the way up to 100% matches on your initial deposit up to a maximum amount. These can be very lucrative and you should always shop around to find the best deals. It’s also worth checking out the bonus page for specific promotions and additional perks like free tournament tickets. Almost all poker sites now also have mobile apps which allow you to play on the go from your smartphone or tablet.