If you want to play online poker for real money, you will need to deposit money before you can play. There are many different ways to deposit money, including a bank account or cashier. Different poker sites have different deposit limits, so be sure to look at their policies before deciding to play for real money. Most sites will let you deposit between $5 and $20, though you can deposit hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars. Different poker sites also have different deposit times. Some take just a few hours, while others may take several days.
Legal online poker is available in at least five states. Five states allow players to play for real money, with Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania following suit in the near future. In addition to these, Pennsylvania and Delaware share players with New Jersey poker sites and 888 and WSOP online poker rooms. When players from these three states play online poker, they can compete in larger tournaments and cash games. This can also help players from these three states win more money.
Although online poker has been legal in the United States for decades, there are few regulated websites for US players. After Chris Moneymaker’s famous victory in the 2003 World Series of Poker, the unregulated online poker industry flourished. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, however, pushed many sites out of the U.S. market. However, some sites continued to accept U.S. players for many years. In the meantime, PokerStars and other poker sites continued to be available for American players.
When you play poker for real money online, you must download the poker software. It is lightweight and does not take up much memory. Downloading the software is usually quick, even if you have an old computer with a slow connection. No-download poker games are available at most poker websites, but these do not offer the same features as the full-downloadable versions. So, before you download the poker software, make sure you have enough RAM and disk space on your PC.
Live poker is expensive, both in terms of time and money. You have to pay gas, parking, food, and lodging, and you also have to tip the valet attendants and servers if you want to play for real money. Additionally, live poker is a social event. You must dress appropriately and show a valid ID in order to enter the casino. You must also sign up for a game before you can begin playing. The rules of poker are similar in both forms, so you can easily switch between the two modes of playing.