Online poker is a complicated business. There’s a real money version; a subscription option that offers free play, but is otherwise indistinguishable from regulated games; sweepstakes poker that operates a bit like private real money clubs; and free-play sites that are just for fun, but make their own money by selling virtual chips and in-game items. In many cases, the site you use depends on where you live. Some countries, like New Zealand, prohibit online poker entirely while others have legal changes that remove the ambiguity and loopholes that allowed some companies to operate in gray markets.
The online poker industry has seen some big changes in the past 20 years. At first, it was a wild west: laws hadn’t caught up to the internet and historic gambling regulations didn’t translate to the online environment. But then Chris Moneymaker broke through and won the World Series of Poker Main Event, spawning a boom in online poker that led to a proliferation of regulated games.
But there was also a dark side. One of the most notorious examples involved a site called Poker Spot, which started in 2000 and shut down less than a year later, leaving players with debts they couldn’t repay because of payment processor issues. This sort of thing is very rare now, as most people who play poker online stick with reputable, regulated sites. But it’s important to look into the reputation of a site before you sign up.
Another important consideration is whether the site offers software that lets you analyze your own gameplay and those of your opponents. These tools are often called “poker trackers” and can be a valuable way to improve your game by showing you where your mistakes are made. A good example is TableNinja II, which can set hotkeys for different actions, automate bet-sizing and manage multi-tabling. Another great choice is Poker Copilot, which offers a powerful heads-up display (HUD) and a variety of filtering options.
You should also look into the security features of an online poker site before you sign up. The best sites are very secure and take the protection of your personal information seriously. They employ security staff to review card, player and pattern histories for signs of fraud or collusion. These staff members are also able to check player computer IP addresses to see if multiple people are playing from the same location.
When choosing an online poker platform, you should consider the bonuses that are offered to attract new players. These can be a great way to get the most out of your bankroll. But make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any bonus.
The best online poker platforms offer a wide range of payment methods, and they’re usually safe to use. But you should steer clear of black market sites that accept cryptocurrencies and run payments through offline agents, as these sites will likely be unregulated and not subject to the same safeguards as regulated ones.