Online Poker FAQ
Welcome to the online poker FAQ section of our website. Here you will be able to find answers to some of the most common questions people have about online poker and would like to know the answers before they start playing. If this FAQ doesn't answer your question, browse around other sections of this website, you may find the answer in one of the other articles.
Where can I play online poker if I am from the US?
With all that has happened with online poker in the United States it has definitely made it tougher to play poker online. But there are still places where you can play online poker and the options available to U.S. players will depend upon which state you live in. Some U.S. states have actually made it illegal to play poker online, and until such time that there is a change in legislation on a federal/state level, you will not be able to play poker on the internet if you're from one of the states that don't permit online gambling. Fortunately this is not the case for most states but you should check your local state laws before playing poker online. Keep in mind that most online poker rooms won't allow you to play if you're based in New York, Washington, or one of the other states where it's not allowed.
Where can I play online poker for free?
If you're a beginner who does not want to risk your hard earned money then you will be glad to know there are many free online poker games for new players to choose from. For instance, you can play poker on social networks like Facebook. Social poker has really taken off thanks in large part to the exposure poker gets on cable TV and other media outlets. You'll also be able to play at the play money tables on all of the reputable real money poker sites. The games and features offered are exactly the same as the real money games offered on the site, but instead of playing with real cash you're given play money chips to play with. Just don't get too let down if you build up your stack to a few million in chips only to realize you can't withdraw your winnings.
Is online poker safe?
You have probably heard a bunch of jaded online poker players claiming that online poker sites are rigged based on a few unlucky hands they witnessed in their short careers. This is complete nonsense and what they fail to realize is that this is the nature of the game. Sometimes the underdog in a hand comes out on top. Even if you're a 90% favorite to win a hand, you're still losing 10% of the time.
The truth of the matter is that online poker rooms go to great lengths to ensure that their shuffler is completely randomized. It's in their best interests that they do this because if they didn't they wouldn't be in business for very long since reputation means everything.
When deciding on a room to play at, you want to make sure that you're playing on an established and reputable poker site you can trust. Many of the major online gaming operators that offer online poker to their players opened their doors and have been in business for more then a decade now. They have tends of thousands of satisfied customers.
You should signup for an online poker room that makes it easy to deposit and withdrawal your money. You need to find out if the site is licensed and regulated by a governing body and make sure the company has a positive history to ensure your money is secure in their hands as well as to know their games are fair. You don't want to be playing on a poker site that doesn't take cheating/collusion seriously.
How can I deposit into an online poker room?
The first step is to check the deposit method section on their website for full details on all the available ways to find your player account. For the most part, you can deposit with all major credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Switch, Maestro, Solo, Visa and Electron. At many of the non-US facing online poker rooms you can also deposit using e-wallet services like Skrill, Neteller, Click2Pay, and Paypal. The minimum deposit will vary depending upon which deposit option you use.
Can I earn a lot of money playing online poker?
Yes without a doubt you can. But you need to have a good understanding of the games you play and have a commitment to improving all the time. Since poker is largely a game of skill and not chance, if you can make fewer mistakes then your opponents, then it's reasonable to assume a skilled player will make money in the long term.
In addition to always playing you're best game, it's also really important that you practice smart bankroll management. Be willing to play in lower stake games whilst you're still learning and improving your game, until you feel confident enough to move up in limits.
Can I play poker on my mobile/table device?
Mobile poker has gotten a lot more popular just in the past year alone. It seems everyone has an iPhone and Android now. Online poker room operators understand that it's an important market that it needs to cater to. And as a result, there are a number of online poker site providers that are offering their games to mobile and tablet users that have compatible devices. In order to run their poker client software to play the real money or play money games available, you need to make sure that you keep your phone updated with the latest flash updates.
Hopefully this answers the popular questions that new players would want to know about, giving you a deeper understanding of how online poker works. All the best on the virtual felt.