Online poker was first seen as a gimmick in the late 1990s, but the game has come a long way since then. Nowadays, it is possible to play real money online poker in a number of states across the country. In fact, if you live in New Jersey, you can even participate in a multi-state online poker tournament.
As far as state legislation goes, the first poker sites to be legally licensed were Nevada and Delaware. However, the only legal site in both markets was the WSOP US app. It wasn’t until the Garden State became the third regulated poker market in the United States, in January of 2017 that multi-state poker got the nod.
Online poker has also gotten a boost from the proliferation of mobile devices. Most of the largest poker networks today operate on a handful of platforms. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can make it challenging to find the right sites. Depending on the site, you can deposit or withdraw money from an account using credit cards, cash, or even Bitcoin. The best part is that many sites offer free poker apps, so you can download and play without having to spend a dime.
Before you can actually play online poker, you’ll need to register an account with an online poker operator of your choice. You’ll need to provide a full name, date of birth, and physical address. Depending on the site, you might need to provide additional documentation to prove your identity. For example, some sites will require a utility bill or your social security number.
When it comes to the actual game, the most popular type of online poker is cash games. These allow you to play as much or as little as you like, and you don’t have to commit to an eight-hour session. There are also a number of other types of poker games, including Omaha and Texas Hold’em. All of these are available in both no-limit and limit varieties.
The first legal online poker game was played in January 1998. The game had been around for years before that, however, as free, IRC poker had been popular as early as the late 1990s. Those who wanted to play real money poker could do so as early as the late 1990s, but it was only after the advent of the Internet that a site was able to take advantage of the new technology and become profitable.
The other major thing that has happened in online poker is that the UIGEA passed in 2006. This made it illegal for payment processors to handle payments for any type of online gambling, including poker. Many operators abandoned the industry in disgust, but several of the top companies remained operational despite this.
A recent twist in the online poker game was the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left many unlicensed gaming venues closed around the world. This has not only impacted online poker, but live poker as well. Since there are few legal options for live entertainment in the United States, it’s no wonder that casual players have turned to online poker.