The first step in playing poker online is determining how much money you can safely deposit. Most poker sites allow a maximum deposit of $5 to $20. Some, however, allow deposits of hundreds and even thousands of dollars. To make sure that the poker site is legitimate, read reviews from other players. Then, choose the site that has the best reputation for fair play. After selecting a poker site, players should decide whether to play for real money or just for fun.
Despite the legalization of poker online in many states, UIGEA has proven to be a thorn in the side of US online gambling operations. Even so, offshore sites continue to find creative ways to avoid the UIGEA, and in December 2016, Global Poker began accepting US customers. This new site uses a sweepstakes model and virtual currency online poker to circumvent the UIGEA laws. Despite these challenges, online poker remains an immensely popular activity.
If you’re a California resident, you may wonder how to play poker online. Although California doesn’t have laws governing online poker, you can still access online poker games and play for real money. Although it’s rare to find a legal poker room in California, a significant portion of online players reside in the state. Despite this, there are many online poker sites that offer real money games, but not all are designed for Californians.