Online Poker

Online Poker

Online poker rooms are divided into several different categories, including Cash Games, Tournaments, Sit & Go’s, and special format games. The top level of the navigation menu is typically divided into the major variations of poker, with checkboxes and tabs available to further refine your search. Most sites offer “beginner” tables for those with limited experience and want to practice their game. In addition to these general categories, most poker sites offer tournaments, which feature a separate navigation.

Although poker bots, collusion, and superusers are legitimate concerns, cheating in online poker sites is almost always done by players. The use of bots, however, has been widely reported, particularly at major sites. These sites often publicize refunded payments in the aftermath of rule violations by referring to the players’ bots or colluders. While these concerns are valid, poker players should still remain wary of cheating, as it is human nature.

While the 2006 UIGEA prohibited the use of US bank accounts for online gambling, it did not specifically ban online poker. Several sites stayed open, however, and continued to expand until April 15, 2011.

There are only a handful of US-accepted online poker sites remaining, and many offshore operators gained in popularity. In fact, only a few states regulate online poker – Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Michigan and West Virginia are on the verge of regulating their online poker markets. However, these legalization efforts will only be effective if the laws of these states are followed. With more states approving online poker, the future of this industry looks bright.