The COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused the indefinite closure of dozens of casinos and live gaming venues worldwide, has also led to a massive increase in online poker traffic. Because of the outbreak, many unlicensed gaming venues have closed, leaving a void for casual players looking for entertainment. As a result, many operators have reported seeing double or triple the amount of traffic they had before the pandemic hit. Fortunately, these negative effects are temporary.
If you’re new to online poker, you may be surprised to find generous bonuses. Newcomers can benefit from sign-up bonuses, which are based on how often you play. Many sites offer bonuses throughout the year and even offer special holiday-themed bonuses. In addition to sign-up bonuses, some online poker sites offer reload bonuses, which allow you to increase your initial deposit amount. There is also a wide variety of tournaments to participate in, so you’ll never be short of cash.
To play online poker, you must first download poker software, which takes a relatively small amount of memory. Even with archaic connections, downloading the software shouldn’t take long. If you don’t feel comfortable with downloading software, there are no-download poker games available. However, these don’t offer as many features as the full download version. When you download poker software, make sure to save your progress so that you can improve your poker skills and become a winning player.
Before signing up with an online poker site, you should always check out the site’s license, payment methods, and games. Make sure to sign up with more than one site to ensure you find the best online poker room for you. Once you’re a member, remember to play responsibly and adhere to your budget. You should never risk more than you can afford to lose. And remember that the game should be fun, not a source of stress.
There are numerous reasons why players may consider online poker legal. Legalized online poker is much more accessible than previously, and more states are passing laws to make the industry legal. Several states are regulating the business of online poker in order to improve consumer protection. For example, UIGEA will make it illegal for US banks to handle transactions with offshore online poker sites. But despite the UIGEA, many sites still accept US players. Then, a few other states have approved legal online poker sites, including New Jersey, Delaware, and Michigan.
Another common misconception about online poker is that it’s rigged. In fact, the industry is too profitable for players to rig the games. The truth is, however, that many people still believe that some online poker sites are rigged to make their profits. Despite the widespread belief to the contrary, modern-day players can use poker database software to track every hand and win-loss ratios. Moreover, legitimate online poker sites will provide hand histories to help players track the hands they’ve played.