There are several important things to keep in mind when playing online poker. First of all, you must be at least 18 years old. This is the minimum age to play poker in your jurisdiction. Next, you should create an account with the poker site before downloading any software and playing any games. Once you have created an account, you should play as much poker as possible, which should result in a large bonus. Also, make sure to play as many hands as possible during the first few weeks of playing to get the most out of your bonus.

Once you’ve set up your account, you should check to see which sites are available in your country. Most major poker sites aren’t available in every country, but it’s worth checking. Additionally, you can find smaller regional poker sites that have a closer community. If you live in the United States, look for licensed sites. Licensed sites are monitored by financial and government authorities to make sure the games are fair. Besides, they also provide secure and reliable transfer methods.

Once you’ve found a poker site, you should visit the cashier or bank link on the site. You can deposit as little as $5 or as much as thousands of dollars depending on your bank account. Check out the deposit times and limits. It may take a few hours or even several days to clear your funds. Check for complaints about delays in payments. If a poker site has a large number of comments from pro grinders, you’ll know it’s a soft site.

Another key difference between offline and online poker is that players don’t have to play under one username. You can choose from multiple tables and even join 40-table tournaments. This way, you can meet new people and win money. But you should be aware that players in offline games are usually more aggressive. This makes it tough to win money when you’re playing with a lot of good players. Lastly, online poker sites have larger player pools and fewer beginners.

As far as regulation goes, online poker is legal in five US states. The first one, Pennsylvania, went live on Nov. 4, and Michigan and New Jersey will follow in 2021. In the meantime, only WSOP/888 US is split between the three states, and it is the most popular US online poker site. The other states will probably follow in the near future. You can also use the Internet to find out more about the legality of online poker in your state.

If you’re looking to play online poker tournaments for real cash, make sure you choose a site with an impressive freeroll program. PokerListings is a great way to find freerolls. These free tournaments are held weekly and may include many exclusive events. Once you’ve found a site that has a good freeroll program, you can sign up and participate in exclusive tournaments. If you’re not comfortable playing in the free games, make sure to read the rules of the site you’re interested in.