Legal online poker sites must be licensed and registered in all US states to operate. They must also offer the same games and player pool. If you live outside the US, check with your local government to see if you can play legally. Some states even require players to verify their age. If you’re under 18, don’t play.

Online poker has been around for several decades in the United States. The first sites opened around the late 1990s. After Chris Moneymaker’s World Series of Poker victory in 2003, the unregulated online poker market flourished. However, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006 impacted the industry, forcing many of these sites to shut down. A few online poker sites, including PokerStars, continued to be available to U.S. players for several years.

The best way to get started in online poker is to play at low stakes. Low stakes are soft enough that you can learn your tactics. Most sites have beginners’ tables that are free to play. These tables are typically reserved for new customers for the first thirty to ninety days after creating an account. These tables are free from better players, and are ideal for newbies.

There are several states that have legalized online poker. Pennsylvania was the first state to go live with it, and Michigan was the latest to follow suit. While the virtual poker hands in West Virginia have not yet been dealt, the state has passed legislation to legalize online poker. However, these regulations still need to be followed by other states to make online poker legal in the US.

The differences between online poker and live poker players used to be stark. Many top poker players belonged to one or the other. However, today, most of the top players play both live and online. Online poker sites have many advantages over live play, but it also has a few disadvantages. However, in many ways, online poker is much safer.

When choosing a poker site, you should also check whether the site offers any sign-up bonuses. The sign-up bonus is often free money that you can use to explore the site before making a deposit. This is a great opportunity for new players to try the game. Most of the sites offer sign-up bonuses that range from $10 to $100. You can also check to see if there are any loyalty programs, which award points based on how much you play and the amount of rake you pay. You can also exchange these points for bonuses or cash.

Online poker websites also allow you to play anonymously. This protects you from being tracked by opponents. You can even play anonymously at Ignition Poker.