If you’ve been looking for a way to win real money, online poker is the ideal game. It offers the same fun, excitement and skill as live poker but allows you to play from home, on your smartphone or tablet, for any stakes you want. You can even play for free or for a small amount of cash, which is great for beginners who don’t want to risk too much.
There are a lot of different resources out there for learning how to play poker, including books, online articles and videos. Some even offer full courses that will teach you everything you need to know about this popular card game.
You can also go to your local casino and try your hand at the poker tables. These are often staffed by friendly dealers who will give you a quick rundown of the rules and show you examples of how to play various hands.
Once you’ve got the hang of things, you can move on to playing with real money. There are a number of different online poker sites that accept US players, with some offering better bonuses than others.
The best place to start is with a site that offers a good variety of deposit methods, such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, e-wallets, and credit/debit cards. You’ll also find a range of withdrawal options, with payout times averaging less than one hour when using Bitcoin or e-wallets.
Another option is to use a mobile app, which is available for most of the top poker websites. These apps are generally fast, easy to navigate and dependable.
Most online poker sites have a lobby that lists their games, cash games and tournaments. You can filter the lobby by category to find what you’re looking for and get a feel for the site.
When you’re ready to sit down and play, all you need is a PC or smartphone with an internet connection. Some poker sites have their software installed automatically, but you can also download it if you prefer. The process is simple and involves installing the software on your device, and creating a user account.
It’s a good idea to play some free games at a new online poker site before you make a deposit, so that you can check out the banking methods and bonus offerings. Most sites will require you to earn frequent player points before you can claim any bonuses, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.
Some sites will also let you play free poker games before committing any real money, which is a good way to test out the site’s security and customer support. Some sites also offer a sign-up bonus that can be as high as $500, but be aware of the terms and conditions of these promotions.
In the United States, three states have legalized online poker: Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey. These states joined the MSIGA in October 2017, enabling their players to play at regulated online poker sites from all over the country. Pennsylvania is expected to follow suit soon, but it’s not clear when.